Journal • Ian Engelbrecht
Studio Degens will tell you, Cape Town’s best dressed fashion photographer is Ian Engelbrecht. They’ve been collaborating on Eat Dust shoots since 2021, with Ian building an impressive capsule wardrobe from those collections along the way. Ian is an avid collector of vintage clothing as well: he follows a route of resale stores around the Western Cape in search of, amongst other things, the perfect leather bomber jacket. On his days off, Ian wakes up at 4 am to hike Table Mountain before taking a quick swim in the chilly Atlantic Ocean and thawing with a cup of coffee and breakfast. For this journal entry, Studio Degens’ Antoinette and Ian switch roles, with Antoinette behind the lens and Ian styling his Eat Dust archive with pieces from the Spring Summer 2025 collection.
To start, a question from one of our previous features, Sofie Anny Nicea Velghe: If aliens would land on planet Earth and you happen to bump into one, what would be the first thing you want to tell them?
“You are not the first to arrive, are you?” I ask because I was lucky enough to witness a UFO about 15 years ago — alongside my father and brother, who confirmed what we saw. Wild!
What drew you to photography as a career?
I took an extra-mural black-and-white photography printing course in grade 9, with little idea of what I’d do after school. One day, my lecturer and I had a chat, and he told me photography could be a real career path. He mentioned that he was also a lecturer at an art school with a photography course and encouraged me to apply after school to take it further. Years later, I did exactly that — and he ended up being my lecturer in college. Big thanks to Adam.
Do you remember the first photo you ever took?
Probably. But memory is unreliable. If I had to guess, it was a disposable camera on a school trip when I was eight. But let’s just say whatever it was, it was perfect.
What is your relationship with Cape Town’s natural landscape?
It’s my escape. When city life gets too much, I know I can walk up Table Mountain or take a swim in the ocean — it’s the perfect way to clear my mind, my kind of therapy.
Who inspires you? (One photographer. One non-photographer.)
Non - Wes Lang.
Photographer - Henrik Purienne.
What’s been the highlight of your work with Eat Dust over the years?
Without a doubt, having the opportunity to shoot a collection in Gawie and Gwen Fagan’s home in Camps Bay. Getting to photograph a brand I love in a home built by one of South Africa’s most prolific architects was an incredible experience. It was a rare chance to merge design, history, and fashion in a really special setting.
What’s your favourite Eat Dust item in your wardrobe and why?
It would have to be my brown shirt from the AW23 shoot at Die Es. It’s a staple, I can throw it on for anything, and it always just works.
Which South African brand would you pair with Eat Dust?
The brand I would pair with Eat Dust is Stiebeuel. A close friend of mine started the label a few years ago, and I naturally fell into shooting for them. Over time, we’ve collaborated on multiple collections and projects, and what made it even more special was that the clothes genuinely aligned with my personal style. Stiebeuel has become an essential part of my wardrobe, and through our collaborations, I’ve been fortunate to be paid in clothing—so my collection is well-stocked. The aesthetic and craftsmanship of Stiebeuel complement Eat Dust perfectly, making them a natural pairing.
What culture are you consuming and enjoying at the moment?
Lately, I’ve been struggling with most modern films—they often feel a bit empty, like they’re made for people with short attention spans who can’t sit with a story. That’s probably why I’ve been drawn back to 70s cinema. Movies like Mean Streets, The Sting, Badlands, Mikey and Nicky, and Five Easy Pieces just hit different — they’re raw, character-driven, and don’t try so hard to entertain you. They just are, and that’s what makes them stick.
Credits
Ian Engelbrecht @image.ian
Studio Degens @studio_degens
Fashion Credits
Spread 1
RHS Jacket, SS25. Trousers, AW21/22.
Spread 2
LHS Jacket, AW21/22. Jeans, SS25.
Spread 3
LHS Tee, SS25. Trousers, AW22/23.
RHS Shirt, AW23/24. Trousers, SS25.
Spread 4
LHS Jeans, SS22.
RHS
Left Pile, from top: Stripe trouser, SS22. Jeans, SS25. Trouser, SS25. Jacket, AW21/22.
Right Pile, from top: Check shirt, SS22. Brown shirt, AW23/24. Jacket, AW21/22.
Spread 5
LHS Jacket, AW22/23.
RHS Jacket, AW21/22.
Spread 6
RHS Check shirt, SS22. In his arms, clockwise from top: Denim jacket, SS25. Camel jacket, AW22/23. Olive jacket, SS22.