Gert-Johan Coetzee rules SAFW ramp

CELEBRITY darling Gert-Johan Coetzee ruled the ramp at SA Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2016 in Johannesburg, not only for his designs but also for the glitterati who flock to his shows.

The hard-working designer said he had focused on “an eclectic African queen” as the inspiration for this, his third collection of 2016.

“When I design a collection, I first come up with a mood board,” he said at the preview held at the Magnum ice cream pop-up store in Sandton. He shared the mood board, with trends including a throwback to the ’70s, lavish use of rose-gold, fabrics such as suede and pearls as accents.

Whereas seasonal collections such as spring/summer 2016 used to be shown to the media, buyers and invited guests several months ahead of their appearance on the shelf in shops, now they are increasingly available sooner.

In Coetzee’s case, immediately, as the tech-savvy designer makes sure that his garments zoom straight from ramp into fashionistas’ closets due to a growing partnership with online retailer Spree and credit card giant Visa.

“South African consumers are still a little bit iffy about shopping online, so the partnership with Visa is reassuring,” he said.

And, although famous faces such as TV presenter Minnie Dlamini, Isidingo actress Jay Anstey and lawyer Thando Hopa – one of the country’s first albino

models and a long-time Coetzee muse – still graced his front row on the opening night of the twice-yearly fashion feast, it was public protector Thuli Madonsela who stole the limelight with a beaded and embellished cocktail-length gown by Coetzee.

SA Fashion Week director Lucilla Booyzen said the event “proved without a doubt that there is an overwhelming market for South African designer clothing”.

“Facilitating the dynamics of the relationship between designer and retailer makes it easier for the consumer to shop – it is to everyone’s benefit.”