Bay fashion designer Jason Kieck had a full “dress rehearsal” for his annual fashion extravaganza in September when he presented Whispers of the Orient in Pretoria – and now a Port Elizabeth audience will be able to enjoy the spectacle.
The eastern-themed high-fashion show will be at the Boardwalk Convention Centre on Saturday October 20.
SPAR is again the title sponsor and Kieck said this had allowed his company and the NGO to showcase their work on a national scale.
SPAR Eastern Cape sponsorship and events manager Alan Stapleton said apart from “enjoying the glitz and glamour of a truly professional show”, their involvement enabled them to support a cause – the Igazi Foundation – that touched many people.
The beneficiary for the fifth year running, the Port Elizabeth-based Igazi Foundation is the only dedicated haematological services NGO in the country.
“Igazi is about life and helping people to fight for it. The same goes for the theme as all the inspirations show life in abundance, creation and the will to survive,” said Kieck.
Kieck said he had a rich source to drawn on to create dozens of evening gowns.
“I alluded to natural elements within the Orient, namely the peacock, koi and cherry blossoms. All these feature prominently in their art and culture,” said Kieck.
“I’ve brought the theme into the designs through the feathers and colours of the peacock; the colours, surroundings and fluid movements of the koi; as well as the colours, petals and feminine tones of the cherry blossoms.”
The charity couture gala dinner will also treat the audience to soprano Hlengiwe Mkhwanazi performing pieces from the Japanese opera Madama Butterfly, while all-female Cape Town band 3 Tons of Fun will get everyone onto the dance floor.
Kieck felt last year’s “Hope of Africa” show had helped open doors and this year was the first time he has presented the show in another city.
“We always endeavour to ‘up the ante’ and with the response from the Pretoria show we seem to have done that again this year. Sun International offered me the Sun Arena to stage my event and this was a huge honour.”
Kieck said the evening would be full of beauty, fun, heart-warming emotions, delicious food and spectacular entertainment.
For ticket enquiries contact jason@jasonkieck.co.za.