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PRINCESS ROYAL AT BRIDAL AFRICA 2009

Bridal Africa is proud to announce the finalists of the Bridal Africa 2009 Young Designer Awards in no particular order:

Tumelo Mojapelo
Martie Markgraaff
Azeb Yehuhalashet
Batya Bouzaglou
Melissa Esterhuysen
Amy Criticos
Simona Ferrari
Laura Bairos
Nicolene Minnie

The theme of the competition for 2009 is 'Princess Royal' and in its thinking attracting creations that will inspire celebrations that are fit for a Princess intending to marry. The judging process is comprehensive and interactive in style by highly respected opinion makers in the fashion industry and this year included 2 previous Bridal Africa Young Designer Award winners, Cherene Anderson who has since proven her worth locally and internationally and Eric Malaka who under the Guidance of Immagika and Bridal Africa is attracting global attention for his creations! Entries were received from individuals, institutions, colleges and universities throughout the country and have undergone a process of judging elimination that included submission of designs according to the theme of 'Princess Royal', inspection as to the practical extension into garments and the use and obvious understanding of fabric displaying learned and natural skill. The final test for these young student designers will be in the making of their garments according to specific model sizes and how they reflect the elegance and beauty of any Princess about to marry.
The final garments will be seen for the first time on the catwalk and open to public viewing at Bridal Africa on 7th and 8th of March 2009 at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand Gauteng.
"A rewarding corporate social investment programme in that it measurably contributes towards the skills development and promotion of new young individuals adding to the critical mass of the fashion industry as a whole.
As we enter the core of an economic downturn it becomes even more critical for all business entities to work together to ensure sustainability and by hosting this competition we know that the finalists will now have the opportunity to promote their creativity and skills through the showing of their designs at Bridal Africa and on our website for the following year. Furthermore the winner will have the opportunity to launch his/her business in a 'hand holding programme' that includes an exhibition stand to the value of over R10 000 at Bridal Africa in 2010. Internships have been offered by some of our Captains of the Fashion Industry" says Dee Reuvers, Managing Director of NichePro (Pty) Ltd, Owner and Organiser of Bridal Africa.

Bridal Africa presents an exhibition of Beautiful Bridal Magazines, wedding planners, designers and couturiers, Ladies & Men's outfitters, accessories and gifts, invitations, flowers & décor, reception venues and honeymoon destinations, hair by Terenco and David John International makeover, nail care, beauty consultants, pamper choices, contractual and financial options and for the first time and exclusively affordable Image Coaching and a talk on a 'Healthy Sex Life' for young couples planning a life together.
We are honoured once again with the loyal support of Eleanor Ford in the production of South Africa's highest quality fashion shows presenting an "Ensemble" that will expand the imagination of the Bride from "Engagement to Honeymoon" and Bridal Africa is committed to an annual 'One Stop Shopping Centre for Courting Couples". An exciting new development will unfold in association with SUTRA magazine and in the delivery of an international component for those interested in an Eastern flavour!
A 'Bridal Africa Miss Princess Royal Competition' will be placed on the website 3 weeks before the show and it is a requirement for all entrants to the competition to visit the exhibition. This is not a Bride of the Year competition and the entrants should preferably be engaged or intending to marry. A task oriented competition which will require them to visit each exhibition stand and to do some shopping homework, as young Brides to be would do in the planning of their wedding day.
Bridal Africa has a unique offering and is differentiated from all other Bridal Shows that are scheduled during the year. We welcome all Wedding Service Providers and of course Brides & Grooms to be, their families and their friends to visit this tantalizing shopping experience!


Original Source

Couture King's path to triumph

By Mokgadi Seabi

THE studio entrance looks like a glamorous receiving room in a mansion with gilded mirrors and lacquered coffee ­tables stacked with fashion magazines. The wall on one side is decorated with life-sized mannequins dressed in couture gowns.

Everything about the room screams luxury, class and style – three words synonymous with Spero Villioti ­Couture in Hyde Park, Johannesburg.

Behind the closed doors of the pretty-as-a-picture setting is a hive of activity as the man behind the brand and his worker bees prepare for the annual Audi Joburg Fashion Week, which starts on Wednesday at the Sandton Convention Centre and will showcase winter and autumn items from local designers.

Despite this, Villioti presents a laid-back and confident front, wearing a simple pair of blue jeans and a polo shirt and looking much younger than his 50 years.

This is the man who has made dreamy creations for a host of international personalities like supermodel Naomi Campbell and former SA Olympic swimmer Charlene Wittstock (who, by the way, is engaged to Prince Albert of Monaco) and many other local high-profile women.

“The fact is, these women know that anyone­ can buy a Versace gown or a Gucci dress anywhere in the world, but if you get a couture dress in South Africa it will be one of a kind,” says Villioti as he points to the framed pictures and magazine covers that grace his “wall of fame” of people who have worn his dresses.

Preparing for Fashion Week
Already there are three clothing rails full of frothy gowns ready to dazzle fashionistas at the four-day fashion event.

“I have 33 years in the industry and I can tell you now that if you can’t get organised, then you will be stressed. I have learned to finish everything well ahead of schedule, because life is for the living.”

In the studio the Villioti team, consisting of 30 staff members, is putting the final touches to the gowns that are to feature in his fashion show on Wednesday night.

“I believe that a person has to work from 9am until 5pm and go home. I do have a life outside fashion and I prefer to live it, thank you very much,” says the designer.

The team has been working on the new collection, which will take audiences through the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s, for six months now and the mix of Hollywood, Bollywood and African glamour is sure to take their breath away.

“We have clients from all over the world and we want to accommodate everyone. So ­instead of confining ourselves to a season, we try and do all so that when people overseas see the clothes, they find something they like as well,” Villioti explains.

He says the collection will have 45 to 50 pieces which will also include six garments designed by two of his third-year top graduates, Laura Bairos and Nicolene Minnie, from his Elite Design Academy.

The academy is a school of design established by Villioti, who also acts as principal, to impart his knowledge to ­aspirant ­designers.

The man behind the brand
Villioti is the child of Greek and Italian parents who was brought up in South Africa. After high school he relocated to Greece at the age of 17 to pursue his fashion ­design studies.

After three years he moved to London to study further and ultimately graduated from the London School of Fashion with distinctions in all the subjects he took.

After completing his studies, Villioti was recruited by fashion house Frank Usher, where he spent five years as a designer.

Villioti decided to return to South Africa and start his own fashion label armed with a few accolades to his name, like the London Frank Usher Award, the Most Successful Art Student Award from the London School of Fashion and the Textilia Young Designer Award in Greece.

“I am a sporty type of guy and I like all sorts of fun activities outside in the sun, and there wasn’t much of that in London. All that endless rain was depressing,” the designer says.

He describes himself as a perfectionist who strives for the very best designs and quality craftsmanship by controlling the production process of his garments in-house.

He says one of the things he prides himself on is his “ability to understand and deliver the dreams and desires of the women who come to me to be dressed for special occasions.”

For the next seven years Villioti proceeded to build a haute couture empire while simultaneously designing four ­collections a year for Frank Usher.

“I had to travel back and forth between London and South Africa four times a year, but eventually I realised that growing my business at home was my passion, so I ­concentrated on it.”

To grow his business, Villioti says he realised he needed to find highly skilled people, which he found to be lacking in the local industry and among graduates of ­local fashion-design schools.

The Elite Design Academy
“There was not enough knowledge about fashion, the technique and finishings. That is where the idea of training graduates came from,” he says.

The designer says the feedback from the graduates he trained for three weeks each year also motivated him to start a formal ­college in 2004 in the form of the ­Spero Villioti Elite Design Academy.

Each year the school interviews aspirant designers, and successful ones are enrolled to be trained through real-world fashion experiences. The three-year diploma course is provisionally registered with the Department of Education, and the top third-year students showcase some of their designs at Fashion Week.

“I believe that my students should not confine themselves to just going into ­design after graduation. After they graduate, they become fashion leaders, not followers. There are more who went on to be fashion consultants, buyers or boutique owners, and one is currently even interning with Vivienne Westwood in London.

“It’s all about how you use the tools you are given,” Villioti says.

One person who can’t wait to use the tools he’s learning is Mazwe Tom, a 23-year-old from Boksburg who is one of the two recipients of the recently introduced Couture Education Fund.

“Not everyone can afford to pay money to get training like this, but I know there is always someone out there with exceptional talent waiting for someone to give them a chance,” says Villioti.

Tom, who is an orphan, says he has ­always been crazy about fashion.

“I used to cut up jeans that my mother bought for me and remake them into the style I liked best,” he says.

“I have learned so much about what goes into making a garment and the business side of it that if I had to graduate tomorrow I would be successful at my business. Now I can’t wait to get out there and show people what I am capable of,” he says.

Villioti describes Tom as a talented individual who has a bright future in the industry. “I want my students to leave here knowing the ins and outs of the industry. I want them to learn how to be sustainable and know that as long as they have the passion and the talent for the business of fashion, there is definitely a place for them,” he says.

- City Press

Original Source

Hellenic Newspaper - December 2009