Young up-and-coming Fashion Designer moves to Port Elizabeth!!!

After being based within the heart of the Limpopo Province for the past five years, a very young, up-and-coming fashion designer is about to share his sublime design talent with the Eastern Cape.

Nico Willoughby-Smith, who studied at The Design School of Southern Africa, will soon be making his mark in Port Elizabeth's world of fashion. At the tender age of twenty-six, Willoughby-Smith has already had the amazing privilege of dressing some of the biggest names within the South African entertainment arena.

Willoughby-Smith, who firmly believes that "there is no such thing as competition when you're in a class of your own", will soon be opening the doors to his new design studio in 2011. There is no doubt that it's only a matter of time before Willoughby-Smith's label sky-rockets into an orbit of it's own class. 

A Cinderella Story for Matric Farewell Winners!!!

 

Evoking Elegance Competition Winners - Joco Pieterse and Durethe Retief.

Most girls would probably love to step out looking smashing on a night that holds significance when she wishes not to attract attention for the wrong reasons.

A local schoolgirl found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow when winning the Evoking Elegance competition for matric couples earlier this year. The winning R60 000 package included everything from a designer gown to dance classes.

Last week it all became reality for a modern day Cinderella, Durethe Retief and partner Jaco Pieterse. The story would have it that they were whisked off in a pumpkin to an en suite venue at Polokwane Royal Hotel for a transformation, with the help of Focus On Style Health and Beauty Salon and MonRoe’s Hair Boutique. And off they went to a most memorable matric dance at Tom Naudé Technical High School in a stylish Peugeot; she in a red and black gown and he in an outfit dominated by a matching shirt made for them by local designer Nico Willoughby-Smith. Classic Accessories provided the finishing touches.

That was minus the awful stepsisters, of course. The couple would have solicited some jealous glances for some time to come though, because the package was inclusive of more luxuries, such as lessons by Jama Ballroom Dance Studio, dental treatments by Drrs Nic and Sybrand van Oudtshoorn, a MegaPix Photography shoot and above all, exclusive media coverage by Polokwane Observer.

Durethe’s mom, Christine, said her daughter had an unforgettable evening and entering the competition was worth the while. She was truly pampered and looked beautiful in her Nico Willoughby-Smith dress, which was surprisingly different from what she initially perceived it to be. Second place went to Anthony Shamley of Pietersburg Hoërskool and third place to Luané Meyer of the same school.

Evoking Elegance Second Place Winner - Anthony Shamley.

Evoking Elegance Third Place Winner - Luane Meyer.

The Evoking Elegance Competition announces it's winners!!!

 The Evoking Elegance Matric Farewell Competition concluded on Friday, 28 May 2010. MonRoes Hair Boutique hosted an elegant cocktail evening in order to announce the winners to the competition.

Congratulations to Durethe and Jaco from Tom Naude High School in Polokwane. They were the winners of the Evoking Elegance Matric Farewell Competition for 2010. They won a matric farewell package to the value of R60 000.000!!!

Congratulations to Sarah and Anthony from PHS in Polokwane. They were the 1st runner's-up to the Evoking Elegance Matric Farewell Competition for 2010. They won a matric farewell package to the value of R10 000.000!!!

Congratulations to Luane and Ruan from PHS in Polokwane. They were the 2nd runner's-up to the Evoking Elegance Matric Farewell Competition for 2010. They won a matric farewell package to the value of R5 000.000!!!

The winners to the Evoking Elegance Matric Farewell Competition pose with the Evoking Elegance team members.

The Evoking Elegance 2010 Matric Farewell Competition!

Whether you prefer sophisticated, glamorous and elegant or chic, funky and sassy. The matric farewell season is definately a highlighted affair on every matriculants calendar.

Evoking Elegance 2010 is giving one lucky matric couple the opportunity of winning an amazing matric farewell package to the value of R60 000.00.

• Local fashion designer, Nico Willoughby-Smith will custom design and create a matric farewell gown for her and a matching matric farewell shirt for him.
• Focus on Style will treat the winning couple to facials, massages, manicures, pedicures, sunbed sessions and make-up.
• MonRoe's Hair Boutique will cut, colour/tint and style the hair of the winning couple.
• Classic Accessories will give the winning matric couple jewellery accessories for the evening.
• Peugeot will supply the winning couple with the transportation to their matric farewell.
• Jama Ballroom Dance Studio will give the winning couple professional dance classes for their matric farewell.
• MegaPix Photography will capture every memorable moment of the matric farewel couple.
• The Polokwane Royal Hotel will treat the winning couple to an elegant dinnner for two and will supply their best en-suite for the couple to get ready for their matric farewell.
• A dental practise will whiten the teeth of the matric farewell couple.

The Evoking Elegance 2010 Matric Farewell Competition enters it's second year, giving every matric couple the opportunity to put their best foot forward and enter before Friday, 21 May 2009.

May the best couple win!

Nianell and Lianie May dressed by local fashion designer!

NIANELL AND LIANIE MAY DRESSED BY LOCAL FASHION DESIGNER.

(Photos: Nianell – Informant. Lianie May – Observer Polokwane)

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

The latest models to wear one of his creations are internationally-known singers, songwriters and musicians. Nianell performed in Polokwane in August of 2009 wearing one of Willoughby-Smith’s divine creations, and just last week, Lianie May performed in Polokwane wearing a creation that best  represented the diva’s striking personality.

Nico Willoughby-Smith is a designer who firmly believes that there is no such thing as competitiveness if one is in a class of one’s own. Having dealt with the fashion industry in his unique way over the past five years, Willoughby-Smith realizes it takes time to live a burning passion whilst remaining humbled by experiences.

Nico Willoughby-Smith. Indeed a label to watch as he skyrockets into a different orbit.