As worlds merge and change, I've found fashion is evolving too. Stripped away, construction revealed and threads loose from frayed edges juxtaposed by the luxury of silks and hand dyed cloth.

These dresses represent the current mood to quote Deborah Harkness

"Old worlds die and new be born".

Photography & production: Gemma Garman - Fashion: Joel Janse van Vuuren - DOP & edit: Duncan Errington - Original score: Olympic - Models: Lili Bo Ming, My Friend Ned- Boleng Williams - Gi Thobois , Boss Models

From the fossilised form of the mollusk’s shell, the spiralling pattern of this exoskeleton is just the tip of the inspirational iceberg. Further investigation reveals that in the Old World, the mollusk was a source of luxury, from pearls created inside the soft tissue of the mollusk to secretion of the Tyrian purple dye and filaments that woven together create the textile Sea Silk. This collection explores the age of the mollusk.
Dye Mentor and Sponsorship by SlipStream Dye and Print

Photography by SDR Photo

Photographer Lourens Smit

Model Sune van Tonder

MUA Tamaryn van Tonder

Shot at Fynn Studio

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Robert Frost – Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

Photographer: ROBYN DAVIE  

Model : Bianca Smit at ICE MODELS

Make Up: STAVROULA GEORGAKIS

Photography Bianca Theron

Gedrogte is a collection of handcrafted creatures made from upcycled textiles, found objects and fabrics. Intersecting the line of art, design and performance.

Behind the Scenes Photographs

Jessica Nupens presents a Dance/Rap/Opera

Credits

Concept, Choreography and Artistic Direction | Jessica Nupen

Music, Composition & Libretto | Josh Socalled Dolgin (Joshua Dolgin)

Musical Director | Thuthuka Sibisi

Props and Costumes | Joel Janse van Vuuren

Stage Design | Wilhelm Disbergen

Visual Arts | Dolph TV

Dramaturgy | Maria Isabel Hagen

Choreographic Assistance | Oscar Buthelezi

Production Manager | Fanny Roy

Press and Public Relations | Ulrike Steffel

Media Content | Anouk Jans, Yannick Müller

Director’s Assistance | Fides Rosa Wallis

Musical Ensemble | Lisa Lammel, Lucas Schwengebecher, Ruben Jeyasundaram, Yogi Jockusch, Lydia Schmidl, Konstantin Bessonov, Johannes Hirt, Jonathan Murphy, Roun Zieverink

Singers | Luvo Rasemeni, Siphesihle Mdena, Ernestine Stuurman, Thando Mpushe, Babalwa Mdayi, Pumza Mxinwa

Dancers | Teboho Letele, Oscar Buthelezi, Eugene Mashiane, Sussera Olyn, Otsile Masemola, Lesego Dihemo,

In April of 2011, I unveiled my Spring/Summer 2011 collection at South Africa Fashion Week. Inspired by the Rorschach inkblot tests, I endeavoured to make my own series of designs by blotting paint onto paper. As figures and forms emerged from the  paint, these pages became the visual starting point from which I created my garments. This ten piece collection is made entirely from habotai silk. I personally hand-dyed and beaded each garment. The colours easily blend from one to another, liquid, bright and contrasting.

Photography by SDR Photo

This was the second underwater shoot I worked on with renowned photographer Ilse Moore. Exploring the darker side of imagery and play of reflections.

Photographer and Retoucher: Ilse Moore - Art Directors: Ilse Moore and Elsa Bleda
Fashion: Joel Janse van Vuuren - Models: Elsa Bleda, Courtneigh Sinead and Natalie Moore
Hair and Make Up: Maureen Grobler - Lighting Assistants: Sean Moore, Johan Baird and Jacque du Preez

Overtaken is a creative photographic shoot that plays with the order of stills photography and the chaos of split ink and paint on pages, creating diverse and inspired imagery.

Photographer: ROBYN DAVIE

Model : Emma Taith of Boss Models

Make Up: Stavroula Georgakis

Imagery of woodland folk and fairies exploring the forest summons this collection to the forefront of our minds. Using upcycled knitwear and raw silk to create these enchanting ensembles.

Photography by SDR Photo and Ryan Metcalfe

The Spirit of Galatea, An Underwater Photographic Shoot from Photographer Ilse Moore, Art Director and Model Elsa Bleda and Makeup Artist Liezl Zene Oberholzer using dresses from my collections to capture this incredible movement that water allows.
 

My graduate collection was inspired by the inkblot technique, and the concept of ‘shadows’. These fantastical garments were bleached, hand-dyed and screen printed, perfectly encapsulating hues of ivory and grape.

Photography by Craig Scott

Models Shannon Phillips and Megan Galt

Make up by Tammy Sturrock

This seasons collection was inspired but the combination of Old World aesthetics and African body paint. I used a number of different types of silks including Silk Satin, Silk chiffon, Silk Habotai, all embellished with sequins, beaded lace and hand printing. With the hand printing that can be seen on most of the dresses I have made my own stamps and hand printed the fabrics in house.

Special Thanks to Slipstream Dye and Print for the Print Mentorship

Photography by SDR Photo

“She walks in beauty, like the night” (Lord Bryon, 1814) captures the spirit of this season’s collection. The 19th Century was a period of discovery and invention - it saw the birth of cinema, photography and the Belle Epoque. This collection was designed with the paintblot method and is inspired by aspects of the 19th Century and the influences that helped shape this era.

Photography by SDR Photo

This collection explores the luminescent properties of nature, working within the world of sports lux and high fashion to create silhouettes that embody exotic nature. Headpieces by Cloche

Dye Mentor and Sponsorship by Slipstream Dye and Prints 

Photography by SDR Photo

This gallery is a collected archive of the Wedding Dresses and Bridesmaid dresses that I have made over the past few years. Working one on one with brides and being part of their nuptial journey has truly been a phenomenal experience.

Photographers: 

Hazel and Kin, Judith Belle, We Love Pictures, Kallah Ohr Photography, Robyn Davie Photography, Jonathan Pinkhard and Lynelle Smith, Matt and Katie Photographers,  AndStory, Marius Denysschen, Herman Verwey

Growing up I would often hold the quilt my mother made me over my head. The patchwork created the most amazing stained glass effect. A cathedral just for me. To emulate this effect I have used patchwork coupled with Shibori dye techniques in my collection. It has the essence of an old-world traveller, with tones of ivory, slate, veld and sky.
Dye Mentor and Sponsorship by Slipstream Dye and Print

Photography by SDR Photo

Over the past few years, I've had the great opportunity to work with Yo-landi and Ninja of the Die Antwoord, with costumes for on stage and music videos. Ranging from the rip away tracksuit and cat masks from Pitbull Terrier Music video to the Baby's on Fire wardrobe.

Photographers Unknown

For my Diploma collection, playing with the idea of shadows and how fashion can create echoes within the industry, I created a high fashion garment that was shadowed by a ready to wear ensemble.

Photographer: Craig Scott

Models: Erin Chaplin, Kate Saville, Kaitlin de Kok, Shannon Phillips

Contemporary & Abstract Dance Piece by Jessica Nupen

Performed at Kampnagel Hamburg

Concept and Choreography: Jessica Nupen

Dramaturge: Phala Ookeditse Phala

Music / Composition: Luca Hinrichs, Lucinee Der Karapetian

Visual Artist: Peter Mammes

Costume design / Props: Joel Janse Van Vuuren 

Light and Stage Design: Wilhelm Disbergen

Film : Leila El-Kayem I The Adventures of

Dancers :  Themba Mbuli, Thulani Chauke, Lorin Sokool, Thamsanga Masoka, Mbulelo Jonas, Olivia Papoli Barawati, Angela Kecinski

Management: Fanny Roy

Public relations / marketing: Ulrike Steffel 

Photography: Tanja Hall & Steve Thomas