Some of the country’s fashion-forward designers will be dressing the Miss South Africa contestants for the final which takes place on Women’s Day, August 9.
Anél Botha.
Dressing the last 16 are Anél Botha Couture who is no stranger to the Miss South Africa pageant having dressed both Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters and Refilwe Mthimunye at the Miss Universe pageants; Orapeleng Modutle, who has been called a “designer to the stars” and Cape Town-based Warrick Gautier.
Orapeleng Modutle.
“My passion is to make sure that each contestant I design for will have the confidence to excel in her quest for the crown due to the way she feels in the gown I specially created for her. Not all my designs will be typical pageant style, nor is the colour something you will expect. All I can tell you is that they will be noticed,” says Anél Botha.
Galluzzi.
There’s also Galluzzi e Gini - started by Cristian Galluzzi and Alessio Gini in Italy in 2002 - with their South African atelier launched two years later by Galluzzi and Claudio Sousa and Quiteria Atelier founded by Lebogang Kekana.
Lebogang Kekana.
Joining the Miss SA design team for the first time is Palesa Mokubung, owner of Mantsho who is the first African designer to collaborate with the giant retail company H&M – and Taibo Bacar, who has showcased his designs in a number of fashion weeks internationally including Milan, Lisbon, and Brazil.
Palesa Mokubung.
This year’s dazzling and unique swimwear has been created by Lloyd Kandlin and his team at The Costume Department who were responsible for the national costumes worn at the Miss Universe pageants by Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters and current Miss South Africa Tamaryn Green.
Taibo Bacar.
“The costumes are inspired by minerals so expect a palette of gold and silver with an interplay of soft and hard which is a metaphor for the many facets of women," says Lloyd Kandlin.
Warrick Gautier.
The Miss South Africa pageant will be held at Time Square at Menlyn Maine in Pretoria on Women’s Day, August 9. The designers' creations will not only captivate the audience in the Sun Arena but also the TV viewers watching the broadcast live on M-Net (DStv channel 101) and Mzansi Magic (DStv channel 161) from 5pm.