Inside Gert-Johan Coetzee’s ‘Recession Proof’ Ready To Wear Autumn ’19 Collection
Top South African designer Gert-Johan Coetzee is bringing high fashion chic garb for style lovers navigating life during tough economic conditions.
It’s common sense that when money is tight, people tighten their belts and cut down on luxuries. And with more petrol price increases looming and a technical recession making everyone nervous, it is a hard time to be selling luxury goods… or is it?
For designer Gert-Johan Coetzee, taking the economy in his stride – even poking gentle fun at money worries – is a business challenge that he is relishing. In his new Autumn Winter 2019 Collection that is showcasing at SA Fashion Week, the focus is on more affordable ready to wear, but also a brand-new line of menswear, including underwear and swimwear.
“There might be economic reasons to be gloomy, but there is no time like a downturn to really sharpen your focus and identify the things that are most important in your business…and the reality is that people still want to feel good, and look good, even when their budget shrinks,” said Coetzee.
“With this collection we have thought carefully about new product categories, and while our elaborate showstopping red-carpet and bridal gowns will always be our greatest joy, we can bring the designer touch within more people’s reach with our ready-to-wear Gert line, and by targeting male clients, with suits but also with smaller luxury items such as the beautiful new Gert men’s underwear.”
Photo by Aart Verrips
Coetzee has had a year of milestones, starting with his 30th birthday last November. His passion for education and empowering the next generation got a shot in the arm this year with his role as the mentor on South Africa’s first season of Project Runway, where his expertise and fair, good-natured input kept the frazzled contestants on track to produce their best work.
His own bursary programme runs in collaboration with the Northwest School of Design, is now in its eighth year, and two new students will be chosen next month to start their fashion studies free of charge next year.
The students in the programme are all personally mentored by Coetzee. “I am absolutely committed to pass on the knowledge that I have gained, because I want a South African fashion industry full of skilled, passionate designers who can make a living doing what they love, like me.” He is dedicating this new AW19 collection to his bursary students, some of whom will be working behind the scenes at SAFW getting his new collection on the ramp, and, he says, it is about having faith in the future of the industry and the power of education.
Investing in a menswear range has already paid off for Coetzee, who has been able to say yes when asked to dress Beyoncé’s father Dr Mathew Knowles and his wife Gena Knowles for a number of events in the past week. The couple was in South Africa to promote Knowles’s new book The Emancipation of Slaves Through Music.
Photo by Aart Verrips
The influential music mogul hosted the African Leaders 4 Change Awards,and was a guest judge on the music talent show Idols South Africa. In between, he also managed to address the University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business and finally, attend the glamorous opening party for South African Fashion Week hosted by Cruz Vodka.
Photo by Aart Verrips
Coetzee’s new AW19 Collection is inspired by his travels, his love for Italian style as personified by the luxury of Ferrari, and he has built on his previous collection for McDonald’s by further exploring pop iconography. In addition to his trademark red-carpet showstoppers and the new menswear range, fans can expect playful references to stop signs and other road markings – “STOP worrying about the recession,” Coetzee quips.
The Gert-Johan Coetzee AW19 showcase took place at SA Fashion Week on Thursday 25 October, at the Protea Court Rooftop at Sandton City
Fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe are in for a treat. Disney+ has announced that 1 February marks the arrival of Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” The blockbuster will be joining 16 other on the streaming platform.
ABOUT THE MOVIE
Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), Shuri (Letitia Wright), M’Baku (Winston Duke), Okoye (Danai Gurira) and the Dora Milaje (including Florence Kasumba) fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death.
As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) and Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda. Introducing Tenoch Huerta Mejía as Namor, ruler of a hidden undersea nation, the film also stars Dominique Thorne, Michaela Coel, Mabel Cadena and Alex Livinalli.
“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” directed by Ryan Coogler and produced by Kevin Feige and Nate Moore, is now playing in theaters.
They are one of South Africa’s most revered music duos.
Their discography packs both blockbuster club bangers and lush delights for lovers of House with a transcendental African sonic flair. And the explosive fallout of Black Motion, which has been splashed across the internet long before reaching the courts, has shocked many.
Loved for their electrifying live performances and awe-inspiring chemistry, Mörda and Smol have always seemed like musical soulmates. But that relationship seems to have reached a bitter end.
In 2022, rumours of their reported split triggered a frenzy on the internet. Following the uproar, the group’s members Bongani Mohosana, who now goes as Mörda, and Smol (real name Roy Thabo Mabogwane), jointly calmed fears that they had fallen out.
It had been said the break would be temporary, as Mörda moved to focus on the release of his solo studio album.
Far from it, it now seems. The parties have escalated things to court.
According to reports, Black Motions have confirmed that they had pressed charges against Mörda for alleged housebreaking and theft.
A court order by the High Court in Gauteng posted on social media has ordered Morda to “restore possession of a recording studio apparatus” to the group by 13 January, at 5pm.
Black Motion shared snaps of the alleged damage caused by Morda – a broken door and stolen equipment.
Tick – Tock
— Black Motion (@black_motion) January 11, 2023
“Always enter like a kitten and leave like a lion. But NEVER enter like a lion and leave like a kitten. Always be humble." #TheRestIsHistory#RemainHumble pic.twitter.com/4R4yI0RGS0
It looks like we won’t be getting a new Black Motion album with Mörda anytime soon.
Reality Shows
Inside the Big Brother Titans Premiere!
South Africa and Nigeria unite under Biggie’s roof.
Sunday, 15 February 2023, marks the roaring arrival of BBTitans.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW.
The highly anticipated social experiment brings under Biggie’s roof housemates from both South Africa and Nigeria. And for 72 days, we will be splashed with the finest in South African and Nigerian swag, banter, romance and all the trappings of a fun-filled, dramatic and – we’d hope – an entertaining show.
A first of its kind, the social experiment assembles the most colourful personalities from the two nations to outwit, outplay and outsmart each other in a bid to get their hands on a massive bag, life-changing bag!
In addition to a number of lofty prizes that will likely be on the line throughout the season, the winner of the show will also be walking away, a whopping grand prize of US $100 000 (over R1,7 million) is up for grabs for the one who trounces his Housemates to charm audiences across the continent.
That’s not all; the amount of social capital, celebrity and opportunities for lucrative brand deals after the show, all form part of the career-launching lift-off that comes with being on the popular franchise.
Both Big Brother Mzansi host Lawrence Maleka and Big Brother Naija’s Ebuka Obi-Uchendu will co-host this debut season.
Fans of Big Brother Mzansi and Big Brother Naija in the diaspora are not left out as Showmax will stream the show in the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and about 50 other countries.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever to land on Disney+ in February
The Shocking Fallout of Black Motion
Inside the Big Brother Titans Premiere!
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