Miss SA and Miss Teen SA News

South African Fashion Designers Present the Latest in Couture at this Year’s Miss South Africa Pageant

By Sun International | 14 November 2008

Catwalk glamour makes an appearance at this year’s Miss South Africa pageant on Monday 15 December 2008. South Africa’s top designers have been hard at work creating amazing gowns for the each of the Miss SA contestants and the presenters.

“This year five new fashion designers agreed to design gowns for the Miss SA Finalists; Charlene Sauerman, Colleen Eitzen, Thula Sindi, Marion & Lindie and Leigh Schubert. It is exciting to feature new talent on the Miss SA catwalk”, says Adam Levin, Fashion Director for the Miss SA pageant. “The fashion concept this year is Catwalk meets Pageant -- bringing SA fashion design strongly into the pageant format.”

The cocktail ‘Romantic Couture’ first designer sequence has been interpreted by; Gerrit Pienaar, Charlene Sauerman, Leigh Schubert and Thula Sindi.

“The fabrics are silky and fluid giving the collection movement and grace, the palette is soft roses, silvery greys, creams and pale blues and greens, to enhance and highlight the beauty of each contestant,” says Adam.

With more than 16 years experience in the couture industry, Charlene Sauerman has become one of South Africa’s most popular designers. Charlene has a passion and distinguishing flair for creating gowns to suit the individual.

Charlene has designed three cocktail dresses in romantic shades of rose, pale silver and cream, and silver with hues of lilac for Miss SA contestants; Anja van Zyl, Bridgette Maasch and Michelle Gildenhuys respectively. The dresses are romantic, dreamy, sinuous, and soft and encrusted with crystals. Charlene’s glamorous style is aptly depicted in her choice of lustrous fabrics; silk chiffon, silk satin and Chantilly lace. The dresses are beautifully accentuated by chandelier Swarovski earrings and multiple crystal bracelets created by Cape Town jewellery designer, Dagmar Jungbauer.

Leigh Schubert, born and raised in Durban, studied fashion at Parktown College in Houghton, Johannesburg. She returned to Durban after graduating and began

her career in commercial design and manufacture. She then went onto fashion buying for a major retail chain. During this time she participated in many prestigious design competitions, winning numerous awards.

It was after she won the Invited Designer category at the Durban Designer Collections, that she launched her own clothing label in 2002. Her special signature ladies-wear includes garments that are sexy yet elegant, timeless yet fresh and simplistic yet interesting.

Leigh has designed cocktail dresses for three Miss SA hopefuls; Tatum Keshwar, Sarah-Kate Seaward and Nthabiseng Carol Marie. She has created 3 dresses that reflect her fashion signature yet encapsulate the personality and form of the individual.

“The dresses are simple, and combine modern with classic styling. They mix soft floating fabrics with strong dark lines. So although the dresses, all in tones of dusty pink, have one definite feel - they make a very individual statement on each finalist,” says Leigh.

“Tatum’s dress is a 20's inspired halter neck with a very flippy skirt. It highlights her long neck, and the skirt bounces above her endlessly long legs. Nthabiseng's dress is a bustier, with a dropped asymmetrical waist. It reveals her beautiful dark shoulders, and defines her hourglass shape. Sarah-Kate’s dress is a multi length wrap dress accentuating her feminine bust, and lengthens her athletic body. It is the most contemporary of the three dresses, which certainly suits her vivacious personality.”

Gerrit Pienaar’s designs have won numerous local as well as international awards. He is known for his understated elegance and classical edge.  Gerrit has designed 3 different gowns for Miss SA contestants; Dorah Mtetwa, Sian Ryan and Jodi Balfour.

“For Dorah Mtetwa I have designed a gorgeous fine pleated multi-layered chiffon dress. The bodice is draped and encrusted with textured Swarovski crystals. This rose pink, silver and grey dress is romantic yet very sexy,” says Gerrit. “Sian Ryan’s cocktail dress has a multi-layered tulle net skirt with pleated tulle frills on the bodice. It is finished off with a beaded rose rosette and handmade roses with fine ostrich feather detail. Jodi Balfour’s cocktail outfit has a beaded top with Swarovski crystals and a high-waisted tulle bubble skirt, finished off with big tulle roses and ostrich feather detail.”

Thula Sindi studied design at the London International School of Fashion. His debut was as head designer at Dutch Textile Company Vlisco. In February 2006 Thula started developing his own range, which first hit the catwalk at SA Fashion Week in 2006 (a year in which he earned a semi-finalist spot at the Nederburg Rare Fashion Finds Contest). He was also nominated as a finalist in the Marie Claire emerging designer contest in 2007 and 2008.

Thula has designed cocktail dresses for Miss SA finalists; Mpho Sithole, Cara Burger and Buyisiwe Shongwe.

“I’ve created an ensemble of dreamy chiffon, cocktail length dresses in pastel blue, light yellow and white - mixed in a water-colour effect resembling clouds. The fabrics are light and float around their bodies and appear to take flight as the ladies walk. The fabrics ideal trail and skim their bodies in a way that is feminine, modern and sensual,” says Thula

The “Super Sexy” brief for the final sequence has been interpreted by; Marion & Lindie, Kluk CGDT, Marc & Michael and Colleen Eitzen. While the cuts are pure red carpet glamour, the strong colour makes this sequence hot and contemporary.

“I didn’t want over embellished gowns - I wanted gowns that would hug the contour of the finalists’ bodies, creating sleek, eye-catching designs in strong colours, says Adam.

Innovative South African fashion designer Colleen Eitzen has built an enviable reputation for designing collection after collection of wearable elegance. Over the years she has experimented with various different techniques of design and has often changed her direction as a result of this.

Colleen is a graduate of the Durban Institute of Technology, where she lectures on creative design. She loves clothing with strong architectural lines, texture, layers and fabric with movement. Colleen and her husband, Neil Roake, own the “DDE” in Durban, as well as “The Space” in Gateway, and are in partnership with The Space store at The Zone, in Rosebank.

Colleen has designed gowns for finalists; Tatum Keshwar, Sarah-Kate Seaward and Nthabiseng Carol Marie.

“It was a pleasure to design for these women as I know them well which makes it easier to come up with a design that will suit their personalities. All of them have beautiful bone structure and I wanted to accentuate their shoulders, long necks and sensuous form,” says Colleen.
“I chose blue as it works well on most skin tones, and it was fun to play with different tones and add silver accents. I really enjoyed the process and feel privileged to have dressed these three beautiful women”

For Sarah-Kate, Colleen designed a turquoise layered skirt with a silver Obi belt and a 50’s style bodice in navy blue. The dress is sleek and beautifully accentuates her body.
“Carol (Nthabiseng) is striking and I wanted to keep the gown simple so as not to detract from her bone structure, square shoulders and graceful movements. I designed a rich turquoise corset dress, with a mesh overlay on the bodice. There are slight bling accents on the hemline, bringing in a bit of sparkle.”

“Tatum has a delicate, perfectly proportioned body and a boob-tube shaped dress, with different blue layers perfectly complements her form. The dress is sleek and form fitting and has a design mesh feature over one shoulder,” says Colleen.

Malcolm KlûK and Christiaan Gabriel Du Toit are the creative force behind KlûK CGDT. Their label represents the culmination of two designers’ passion and the vision of bringing South Africans an international experience of South African fashion. Their dynamic attention to detail of each design can be seen in the fabric selection, the cut of the garment and the exquisite finishes.

“We designed gowns for Western Cape Miss SA finalists; Michelle Gildenhuys, Anja Van Zyl and Bridgette Maasch,” says Kluk. “Our design theme is reminiscent of Hollywood 1930’s glamour and each luxurious emerald green silk gown has a knot and belt detail that differentiates them from each other. All are beaded with self coloured bugle beads.”

Marc & Michael are known as one of SA's most powerful design duos, with a broad local and international client base. Marc & Michael use high drama and unashamed opulence to create their signature designs.

Marc and Michael South Africa launched their Dubai partner during the Dubai International Show and have been actively trading in Dubai for the last two years.

They are dressing Miss SA Finalists; Dorah Mtetwa, Sian Ryan and Jodi Balfour.

“I have used silk duchess satin in shades of purple and ultraviolet combined with black silk veiling. Bold dramatic beading details include; jewel stones in shades of purple, crystal and jet, says Marc Glass.

Since its conception in 1994, the name Marion & Lindie has become synonymous with modern yet classic ‘ready to wear’ clothing of the highest quality.

The label’s foundations were laid in the late 90’s, when Lindie Grenfell and former partner, Marion Reed saw the Marion & Lindie concept move from humble studio beginnings to its first-ever store in Johannesburg’s Rosebank shopping district. Regardless of countless accolades, new store openings and media attention, Lindie remains a savvy business woman and talented fashion designer.

Lindie has designed gowns for Mpho Sithole, Cara Burger and Buyisiwe Shongwe.
“I have designed dresses using colour blocks of black, coral, taupe and teal. The bodices are in coral and the backs are in black. There are tiny slithers of teal running through the jersey fabric. The jersey fabric is accentuated with silk chiffon frills and geometric beading to add a bit of luxury. I have strayed from the traditional pageant style gown, incorporating a more contemporary feel that is strongly modern yet sleek and sensual,” says Lindie Grenfell

JJ Schoeman specialises in womenswear for clients who include beauty queens, celebrities and sophisticated businesswomen. He has designed for Miss South Africa since 2001. Next year will see the opening of his Johannesburg studio in Parkhurst following the same lifestyle concept as his Cape Town store, showcasing couture, ready-to-wear and home-ware.

This year JJ is not dressing any of the finalists, but has put considerable creative talent into his designer gown for pageant presenter, Carol Manana – a vision in an acid yellow ribbon-work dress.  He has also made Tansey Coetzee’s ‘Last Walk’ dress – a glitzy two tone Inca gold and Red Indian jade designer gown.

Carol Manana’s co-presenter, Mutadi Nesheshe, is dressed by menswear designer Shakur Olla. Shakur has put together a superb collection of tailor-made formal menswear for Mutadi to choose from.

“The two suits are hand-made super 120’s extra fine Italian wool in black, and one has a cerise pink pinstripe. The two button suit jackets have a low lapel and the trousers are form fitting and cut into the waist. There’s a selection of two fold cotton with high cutaway collar shirts in Egyptian cotton. The shirts vary from green with red flowers, to a white base with red leaves to bright sienna orange. The look is elegant and refined with a touch of light heartedness,” says Shakur. 

Shakur Olla is an African artist and designer whose luxury lifestyle brand has become synonymous with exclusivity, creativity, luxury, sophistication and style.

His creative signature has a chic, contemporary, innovative, elegant simplicity that is the essence of its timeless classic appeal. The Olla menswear brand is proof of a local brand competing successfully in the international marketplace.
Olla exports to global niche markets, including Japan, the Middle East and Europe. In 2000 he was the recipient of the Fairlady Best Brand Award. Shakur has dressed the likes of Deepka Chopra, Armand Assante, and rapper and actor, LL Cool J.

For more info on what Miss SA gets up to during her reign, please follow her online diary.

Please feel free to contact the Miss SA team for any media related queries.

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