! Congratulations Matrics of 2013 !

Thanking all the matric's of 2013 for all their loyal support... 

You all looked absolutely amazing!

Without your individual characters, I would never have been inspired to create your uniquely, custom-designed creations... Wishing you all the best of luck for the future!

Fashion Designer Returns To Polokwane.

After an absence of 19 months, Polokwane born designer, Nico Willoughby-Smith, will be returning to the Limpopo Province in June 2012 for a duration of 7 months, in order to quench the overwhelming thirst within the matric farewell and bridal market.

It is only evident that as the months have progressed, so the Willoughby-Smith label has sky-rocketed into what seemed to be an unreachable and demanding orbit. Nico Willoughby-Smith’s contribution towards the fashion world has clearly been missed and therefore highly sourced by many wanting to get their hands on a Willoughby-Smith creation that’s as unique as their personality.

For the last 19 months, Nico Willoughby-Smith has infiltrated the Eastern Cape market by creating a niche range consisting of classy cocktail wear and glamorous evening attire for the George Sorensen Boutique located in Port Elizabeth. His fashion label has also been tied to charitable work and his sublime designs have graced the catwalks of local beauty pageants, namely the Miss Bay FM contest.

Now back in Polokwane, Willoughby-Smith hopes to pick up from where he left off. Creating beautiful designs that are bound to turn a few heads and set new innovative trends. Considering the amount of appointments he has lined-up for his first week, we hardly believe he’s going to have difficulty settling in.

George Sorensen Releases Evening Wear.

"Beautiful fabrics wrapped with passionate splendour"... Never a truer phrase has been stated. After the success of his ladies cocktail range that was only released months ago, Nico Willoughby-Smith is very excited to be releasing his first ladies evening range at the George Sorensen Boutique situated in Walmer Park Shopping Mall.

Clients can look forward to purchasing beautiful one-piece an dtwo-piece evening gowns made within a niche size scale ranging from a size 30 to a size 36. Only the best fabrics were sourced when it came to creating this exquisite range. French silk taffeta, silk lycra, and royal dutchess satin embellished with hand beaded brocaded lace imported from Europe are just a few of the materials featured in this range.

Although slightly pricier then the previous cocktail range, potential bride’s maids and matriculants can now purchase a gown appropriate for their special occasion without having the pay all the unpredictable fees associated with private designer consulting. Most of the gowns have also been designed and created in order to allow alternations to be made if necessary.

“This range was created with much enthusiasm. For the first time, I worked with materials that I’ve never worked with before, and I have learned so much from this range. Once again, I am just so grateful that George Sorensen has given me this amazing opportunity to sell my gowns in their boutique…”

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.