NEED I SAY MORE

Thank you to the Prom Night comity for this prestigious honour...

I am both grateful and humble!!!

Hard work... Pays off  

ANNOUNCEMENT

! PROM QUEEN 2014 !

Congratulations to
Miss Khangwelo Malotsha
from Capricorn High School in Polokwane
for winning the title of

'Most Stylish Girl 2014'

before being crowned

PROM QUEEN 2014

I am so ridiculously PROUD of you!!!

! Congratulations Matrics of 2014 !

Thanking all the matric's of 2014 for all their loyal support... 

Each year I'm given the opportunity to meet the most amazing matrics that inspire my creativity beyond words.

Without your individual characters, I would not be able to create your unique creations... Wishing you all the best of luck for the future!

! 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.

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.

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.

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.