Miss SA and Miss Teen SA News

All Dressed Up

By Sun International | 16 July 2008

Miss SA, Tansey Coetzee is on her way to compete in Miss Universe Competition. For her one month stay in Vietnam, Miss South Africa 2007, Tansey Coetzee requires an extensive wardrobe. Several acclaimed South African fashion designers have created evening gowns and suits becoming of a beauty queen.

Renowned fashion designers Malcolm KLûk and Christian Gabriel du Toit have created Tansey’s Miss Universe Evening Gown. Malcolm and Christiaan are the creative force behind KLûk CGDT. For Malcolm and Christiaan their label represents the culmination of two designers’ passion and the vision of bringing South Africans an international experience of South African fashion. It is immediately evident to anyone that careful consideration has been given to each garment; from the fabric selection, to the cut of the garment and to the finishes of each piece. It is this careful consideration and attention to detail that distinguishes their clothes as luxury garments.

"We chose the colour white for Tansey’s Miss Universe Evening Gown as it perfectly compliments her exotic caramel skin tone. The simple silhouette of the gown elegantly shows off her toned body and bands of diamante add the necessary glamour and frame the shape of the gown. The design of the dress is classic with a touch of sexiness, which really sums up Tansey’s personality. The fabric is light and moveable; this will enable her to glide across the stage with the volume in the hemline, billowing with drama,” says Malcolm Kluk.

Gerrit Pienaar has designed Miss South Africa’s Traditional Dress and the design is a sparkling showstopper. Currently Gerrit is preparing for the Jazz African Heritage Show in New York and the SA Week in Washington, DC. He also acts as a mentor for emerging and established designers, guiding them in reaching their full potential.

Gerrit Pienaar is an acting member of Khushana Creativity, incorporating workshops for the Disabled, helping them fulfil their dreams. He strongly believes in upliftment and creating possibilities for the less fortunate. Gerrit mentors disabled beaders by giving them basic designs to bead. He is delighted to see their traditional beading talents emerge in a modern expression of fashion.

The design for Tansey’s Traditional dress incorporates baby peacock and ostrich feathers and is made from shot silk in a bright aquamarine hue. The bodice is tight fitting and ostrich and peacock feathers in shades of royal blues accentuate Tansey’s elegant collar bones and slim torso. The panelled dress is long and flared with diamante and Swarovski beading.

“The ostrich is one of SA’s most beautiful birds and ostrich feathers are considered a favourite accent with international couturiers,” says Gerrit Pienaar.

“As Tansey makes her universal debut she will make an impressive statement in both her evening gown and traditional dress,” says Graham Wood, Divisional Director Sun International Resorts Designate, “her arresting beauty will captivate the audience and judges.”

Tansey will take with her the national gift to be bestowed upon Vietnam which will be auctioned at the Official Miss Universe Auction.  South Africa's national gift is a brightly beaded Vuvuzela (noise-making trumpet of South African football fans) designed by Gerrit Pienaar and beaded by disabled members of Khushana Creativity.

The beadwork on the Vuvuzela represents tribal South Africa reflecting traditional Zulu, Ndebele and Venda beading.

“The Vuvuzela will be presented in a handcrafted wooden box with the words “SA is ready for 2010” beaded into the wood,” says Gerrit.

Tansey will be wearing a gown designed by Kobus Pienaar at the Official Auction. Kobus is based in Cape Town and his elegant dresses have won the J&B Met Most Elegant Competition for four consecutive years. After 15 years in the fashion business, he’s applied his expert skill and tasteful creativity to design garments that make his female clients feel as beautiful on the inside as they look on the outside.

As Kobus says: "I don't try and keep up with what is fashionable. I prefer to design for the individual, ensuring that what I create will suit her body type and personality. I believe I have perfectly captured Tansey’s spirit with my design.”

The periwinkle coloured gown is a classic cut with a modern twist and accentuated with fine detail. It is cut on the bias to emphasis her perfectly proportioned body.  The gown is embroidered with diamante and Swarovski crystals on the cups of the dress to highlight her torso and face. The hem of the dress trails slightly and has a laser cut design so it will appear as if she emerges from the stage to be part of her surroundings, creating Goddess- type illusion.

JJ Schoeman has designed Tansey’s official interview suit. JJ is one of South Africa’s top fashion designers, known and respected for his ability to create feminine and glamorous gowns with Euro-centric fashion styling. JJ has showed his collection in New York at the International Couture Fashion week in addition to a special viewing at the historical Waldorf Hotel 5th Avenue.
The interview suit has a modern high waist black skirt with cumber band detail.  The skirt is reminiscent of the classic 40’s look originated by Christian Dior, sleek, classic and tight fitting. Teamed together with the skirt is a body hugging blouse in cerise pink and turquoise with a stand up, contemporary collar. A loose tie belt accessory completes the look. The look is modern and stylish and is sure to boost Tansey’s confidence.

Charlene Sauerman has designed two evening dresses for Tansey to take to the Miss Universe Competition. With more than 16 years experience in the couture industry, Charlene has become one of South Africa’s most popular designers based in Cape Town. Charlene has a passion and distinguishing flair for designing exclusive evening gowns, creating the gown to suit the individual. With her designs she has magically captured Tansey’s inimitable spirit.

Charlene’s has designed a black evening gown for Tansey’s visit to the Vietnamese President’s Dinner and a bright fuchsia pink dress for the Official Welcome Dinner.

“I wanted Tansey’s gowns to express her tangible energy and accentuate her exotic look! I was inspired by her beautiful body, skin tone and her lovely personality,” says Charlene.

The colours and beading compliment her skin, and the silk fabric and crystal adornments are fit for a beauty queen.  Rich beading was used to create a look that would make her stand out from the rest; an African queen destined to influence the entire Universe!

Please contact us for any media related queries please or follow Miss SA’s online diary to keep abreast of all the exciting day to day occurrences during her reign. 

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