When outgoing Miss South Africa Natasha Joubert took to the Sun City red carpet for the last time as the country’s reigning beauty queen last night, a loud horn heralded a burst of fireworks as all 10 finalists emerged in designer gowns, each with a 7m-long train.
The collection of 11 brightly coloured gowns, each ornate and dripping with jewels and gold, was the work of designer and fashion artist Gert-Johan Coetzee.
“It’s been a brilliant experience putting it all together. Last year, I created all the designs for the Miss South Africa finale and made Zulu-inspired beaded gowns that were a huge hit and have since become a staple of my brand,” Coetzee told the Sunday Times at his Sandton studio.
In each dress, somewhere I pay homage to the elephant, which is part of my brand emblem and stands for strength, unity and family
— Gert-Johan Coetzee, fashion designer
“I really like the Miss South Africa platform because it is all about aspirational women with depth. I also respect the way they groom the winner for international success.”
This year, he drew his inspiration from the fauna and flora of South Africa, with each gown incorporating different animals, flowers and other elements.
“It’s a whirl of bright fabric that blooms out of Mother Africa. In each dress, somewhere I pay homage to the elephant, which is part of my brand emblem and stands for strength, unity and family. That opening sequence where you get to see all of them is really powerful,” Coetzee said.
The first design shown was a zebra-inspired red creation with black and white stripes and a 3D zebra corset with a mane around the bust. Each gown thereafter featured an African element. The entire display took place in a seven-minute sequence that will form part of the pageant’s grand opening scene.
“We literally used every single shade on the colour wheel,” he said, referring to his team of 35 staff who all helped create the new Miss South Africa gown collection. They began the work in April.
“I worked with the creative director, Werner Wessels, and together we pulled the whole thing together. Normally, I am quite prudish with my designs, but Werner wanted to go sexy, so I went very sexy. These dresses leave little to the imagination.
“Each girl had to stand out in her own way, and there was a wide range of skin tones to consider. I decided which girl would wear which dress, and thankfully they all loved them and were happy with my choices — no tears and drama,” said Coetzee.
The dresses will now be shipped to Coetzee’s studio in Los Angeles, where they will be placed on display, used in photo shoots, and worn by international celebrities.
“In that way, the world will be given the opportunity to draw inspiration from these African designs and incorporate them into their own stories, magazines and red-carpet events,” he said.
Designing for the Miss South Africa pageant has lifted his spirits greatly after he made the disheartening discovery his brand had become the focus of cheap knock-offs. However, never one to remain downhearted, he will be opening a Gert-Johan store in a strip of high-end outlets at the Vanity Hub in London’s Chelsea next month.
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