Sublime Design!

 

After the success that followed the previous 'Trash the Dress' photo shoot three weeks ago, Nico Willoughby-Smith (local fashion designer in Polokwane) was only to thrilled at the idea of collaborating, once again, with Mega-Pix Photography for a photo shoot with a different twist. 

This time, Natasha Cilliers wore a stunning deep maroon haute couture gown made from silk-tafetta. 

After many days of rain, Natasha looked absolutely sublime as the forest trees of the Hearnetsburg mountains towered over her. Enjoy! 

  

  

  

 

"Haute Couture" - Not Just Another French Word

The R35,000 ball gown with 1,000 layers of tulle. The wedding dress with 10,000 hand-sewn swarovski crystals. The floor-length coat made of shredded leather and hand-dyed wool - these are all examples of "haute couture" fashions. Haute couture is a French term that refers to one of a kind, ornate "high" fashion, that are often conceptual and experimental in nature. 

Haute couture fashion represents a chance to create the best of the best - using the highest-quality textiles, and unique materials. Haute couture projects give a designer the opportunity to experiment with innovative sewing techniques, hand-sewing and beading, to create fanciful, exquisite designs that are much more prestigious than ready-to-wear (mass market) collections.

Haute couture is a multi-billion rand per-year industry - though most haute couture creations are extremely costly to produce. However, the notoriety and prestige of haute couture fashions have the unique ability to bring out the best in those who wear them.

While haute couture designs are often seen as impractical and even "costumey," there is no denying that no other form of fashion is as visually amazing as haute couture - each season designers take risks with materials, cut, and fit, and continually create stunning garments.

Local designer Nico Willoughby-Smith is one such a designer who's designs pushes the envelope with his innovative and inspiring designs. Every year Nico ensures that his clients' designs represent all that is whimsical and fresh in fashion.

Trash The Dress?!?!

 

Nico Willoughby-Smith recently joined up with Kobus Schoeman from Mega-Pix Photography for a stunning photo shoot. Kobus had the idea of shooting a dress at the Polokwane dumping site. The contrast would provide for breathtaking photographs.

After Stacey Law fitted the dress designed and made by Nico, she had her hair and make-up done by Marle van den Berg (Cell 082 845 2611) from MONROE’S HAIR BOUTIQUE, which recently opened in Polokwane, and then it was off to the dumping site for the photo shoot.

 

 

A Fresh Take On Summer!!

Story by Yolande Nel (Polokwane Observer)

He is young and not scared to take risks. Polokwane designer Nico Willoughby-Smith gives one ample reason to believe in his ability to continue stealing the limelight while making waves. This is exactly what he did when joining I-Model boss Anne Smith, in one of his stunning outfits, for a photo shoot in the water at the new Fusion Boutique Hotel earlier this week.

Fresh caught up with him amid a matric farewell rush to get hints on what is hot this season. When approached to do the extraordinary by submerging one of his many striking dresses in water to symbolise the cross-over from chilly winter to sizzling hot summer, there was no hesitation on his part. Capturing Smith in one or two poses below towering brick columns, it was soon off to the fountain where she braved the icy water for the proposed shots. And so our model got to resemble a modern day mermaid in a billowing lime green dress that caught the rays of the summer sun.
 

The focus this season, according to Willoughby-Smith, is on silhouettes, prints and colour. He reckons there is nothing better than a garment fitting the wearer well. "People should identify with their physical form and dress accordingly. Although the season offers many trends, I believe one should find the trend that best suits one’s personality and character. "We also find a lot of fitted silhouettes with ruffles and draping. Although the silhouettes are fitted it still gives the wearer the feeling of free-ness and mobility."
 

With this season’s trends focusing on prints and colour, appliqués and bold prints are in a sense inspired by Japanese art as well as famous well-known artists such as Van Gogh. Metalics are still in and it seems the brighter the better, he adds.
As big news as lace is the arrival of stripes. "Be it horizontal, diagonal or vertical, there is a stripe for every body shape." The long dress is out and the style is definitely short with balloon minis having made a comeback. Whether it is bold colours or prints, stripes and lace there is a trend out there to suit every person’s preference, Willoughby-Smith concludes.
 

*Hair and make-up were done by Salon Deo Volente, whose response to spring was the creation of their signature attention-grabbing styles in the open on Tuesday.
Phone Nico Willoughby-Smith on 083 678 2826 and Anne Smith of I Models Training Studio and Promotions on 084 978 0518 or 015 296 1380.

Local designer dresses a star

Limpopo Informant article by Karen Venter

He only knew he would become a fashion designer the day he designed his own matric farewell outfit. Now, four years after qualifying as a fashion designer, Mr Nico Willoughby-Smith, is making a name in the fashion world in a big way.

The latest model of one of his sophisticated unique designs is an internationally-known singer, songwriter and musician. Nianell performed in Polokwane on Saturday night wearing one of Willoughby-Smith’s divine creations, a red haute couture corset decorated with feathers and Swarovski crystals. Prior to her performance, Nianell expressed her appreciation of Willoughby-Smith’s design.

How did this come about? In an exclusive interview, Willoughby-Smith, an avid music lover, freely admits to being a Nianell fan. “Nianell inspires in more ways than one. I do my best work while listening to music.” He says he attended both Nianell’s previous performances in Polokwane and when he heard she would be perfoming here again, he decided to take a chance. “I contacted her PA, who was very helpful. A few conversations later, he had Nianell’s size, her preferences regarding clothing and her courier address. A lot of research went into his design and he focussed on quality. “The corset was designed purely for her and I spent long hours agonising over whether she would like and whether she would wear it at all.” Even when the spotlight shone on her as she came on stage, Willoughby-Smith still did not know whether his gamble had paid off. “It was absolutely amazing to see her there, dressed in the corset I had spent so many hours designing and making.” The cherry on top of her publicly acknowledging his design, was after the show when she thanked him, giving him a hug and spending a few moments chatting to Willoughby-Smith. “She said she absolutely loved the corset.” Her promoter also indicated that this could be the beginning of a longer association between Willoughby-Smith and Nianell. Willoughby-Smith agrees that this could definitely mean the beginning of big things for him.

After matriculating from Capricorn High School, Willoughby-Smith studied at the Design School of Southern Africa. The school’s qualifications are validated and moderated by the London College of Arts. In 2005, he was one of 12 South African designers selected to participate in the 11th annual Vukani Fashion Awards. He has also participated in an array of bridal and other fashion shows and a matric farewell dress designed by him is a must have for any matric girl. He says this year has been his best year ever. Up until now, he has made his name by word of mouth. “This year I started participating in various expos, which is also giving my work a lot of exposure.”

As we speak, he is preparing for a matric farewell photo shoot that has been commissioned by another local newspaper. He certainly has strong ideas about who he prefers to frame his designs, which have been described as sophisticated, glamorous, elegant and unique. “One needs just the right hairdresser (Ms Marlé van den Berg from MonRo’s), make-up artist (Focus on Style), jewellery (Jenni Collections) and accessories (classic Accessories) to show off one’s designs to perfection,” he explains. He is also part of a matric farewell competition, Evoking Elegance, in which the lucky couple can win their entire matric farewell – clothes, jewellery, accessories, the use of that special vehicle and so forth. This year’s winner was Ranska Adlam.

Willoughby-Smith says he is blessed to be fully booked for the rest of the year, so be sure to make and appointment well ahead of time for next year for that special wedding, matric farewell or other formal function. Early matric farewell bookings qualify for a discount. What’s next for him? “I’ve set my sights on Celine Dion wearing one of my creations!” he says, only half joking. “The highlight of my career will definitely be to be invited to participate in SA Fashion Week.” Willoughby-Smith’s life motto, and advise to everyone, is to love like you have never been hurt, work like you will never need the money and dance like no one is watching. “Actually, there is another line to my motto but I can’t share it in a community newspaper because it’s a bit x-rated,” he says, smiling bashfully and blushing at the same time.

Young designer has eye on international icons

Polokwane Observer article by Yolande Nel

Until he created his own matric farewell outfit years ago, Polokwane designer Nico Willoughby-Smith never touched a sewing machine. That moment was the turning point for the young talent who by now is heading for dressing international icons. Through his attention-grabbing design for his farewell party he won a bursary with the Design School of Southern Africa, which is validated and moderated by the London College of the Arts.

Since graduating in 2005, he has wowed clients and audiences alike with his haute couture ideal for weddings and matric farewells during the past four years in Polokwane. The last such event occurred this past weekend when popular singer Nianell wore a lace-up corset enhanced by Swarovski crystals and splashes of feathers carrying the Willoughby-Smith label during a stage performance in Polokwane. Apparently further future collaboration with the artist is on the cards.

After having been involved in Miss Limpopo pageants before and now dressing a South African artist, Willoughby-Smith intends presenting Celine Dion with one of his creations. “Her music represents my style, which is very romantic. One’s creativity is inspired by the things you love and I absolutely love music.” Willoughby-Smith has a fresh approach to fashion design and produces vibrant, statement-making outfits based on the individuality of his respective clients. By extensively researching colour and fabric, he uniquely depicts character and features while capturing glamour, sophistication and elegance. His clients, he stresses, all know that he ensures them once-off creations that can never be repeated. Willoughby-Smith prides himself in professionalism.

This young talent is inspired by the style of international designers Alexander McQueen and Vera Wang while he admires local Gerhard Heymans. In this regard he explains that there is no such thing as competitiveness if one is in a class of one’s own. Having done it his way over the past few years, he realises it takes time to live a burning passion while remaining humbled by experiences. Nico Willoughby-Smith. Indeed a label to watch as he skyrockets into a different orbit.