X-actly!: Gert-Johan Coetzee

Showing posts with label Gert-Johan Coetzee. Show all posts

Tuesday, 12 July 2016

Gert-Johan Coetzee Fashion Bursaries

Fashion bursaries worth R500 000 up for grabs

via Gert-Johan Coetzee

Gert-Johan Coetzee is known for making the A-list steal the show at events such as the Durban July, but in between making glorious gowns, the designer is now searching for two new students to benefit from his three-year bursary programme. And after Coetzee challenged other businesses to invest in education, the luxury boutique Luminance has added a third bursary to the programme!

Applications have just opened for the 2017 GJC Fashion Design bursary and the brand-new GJC Fashion Communications and Buying bursary, valued at a total of R345 000. Coetzee’s fashion design bursary is already in its sixth year at the Northwest School of Design, but it is the first time that he is adding a Fashion Communications bursary, to accommodate students who are more interested in the business end of fashion. The latter qualification is also what the R170 000 Luminance Social Responsibility Grant will fund.

“The industry is really dynamic, and there are so many opportunities, which is why I decided to add a bursary for the more business-oriented qualification. It’s so hard to get your foot in the door and the aim of my bursary programme is to pass on what I have learnt, and to open doors for youngsters who have the talent and drive to succeed,” says Coetzee. He believes that the private sector has a responsibility to invest in the education of the next generation, and says he was “absolutely thrilled” when Judy Dlamini from Luminance, which stocks his couture, approached him to sponsor another Fashion Communication student. “This three-year qualification teaches the business end of fashion – from fashion journalism, marketing and trend forecasting, to buying, event management and online retail aspects,” explains the designer. Both bursaries include mentorship by Coetzee, and the opportunity to intern at his atelier to learn the business from the inside out. The beneficiary of the Luminance Social Responsibility Grant will have a similar opportunity to intern at Luminance. Says Dlamini, "We’re looking for someone who is driven to succeed in fashion and business and willing to learn…. A good academic record is important to us since it shows discipline, determination and hard work.”

Coetzee also has a very clear idea what he’ll be looking out for. “Success will only come if you have an inborn fashion instinct and are extremely passionate about it. I am looking for students who are as singleminded about fashion as I was at that age, youngsters who are driven, dedicated and not afraid of hard work."

All three the lucky applicants will receive sewing machines from Bernina, worth a total of R45 000, and all their tuition fees and study materials will be covered for the three years of their course. Both courses offer students the chance to progress to a licentiateship, the highest international fashion qualification in South Africa. Northwest School of Design is an international fashion college approved by City & Guilds of London.

“I am extremely proud of the talented group who make up the GJC bursary team at NWSD, and I expect great things of them,” says Coetzee. Last year’s graduate, Prudence Kau, is currently interning full-time at his atelier, on a fourth-year fellowship from another of the designer’s associates, Brutal Fruit. “Prudence is working on her first collection for Brutal Fruit at the moment while she is completing her licentiateship, and it’s a privilege to be able to mentor a young star in the making.”

For more information on how to apply for the Gert-Johan Coetzee bursaries and the Luminance Social Responsibility Grant, visit www.nwsd.co.za ENDS

Media information: Shaw Media: Melinda@shawmedia.co.za 082 3766035

Monday, 4 July 2016

LUMINANCE FASHION COMMUNICATION BURSARY

Luminance is a South African luxury multi-brand store which offers a world class shopping experience with an African appeal. The store houses both local and international designers and brands that are globally recognized, as well as the in-house St Lumi collection. St Lumi features apparel, shoes and bags made from the finest skins and leather.

The late great Muhammad Ali said, “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.” Feeling blessed to be celebrating Luminance’s third birthday, chairman Judy Dlamini has announced the launch of a brand-new grant that will give one youngster from an underprivileged background a foot into the luxury fashion retail industry.

The R170 000 Luminance Social Responsibility Grant was inspired by designer Gert-Johan Coetzee’s bursary program of seven years standing, and will sponsor one extra student at Coetzee’s alma mater, The North West School of Design. NWSD is an international fashion college approved by City & Guilds of London. The three-year Fashion Communication & Buying course leads to the highest international fashion qualification available in South Africa, and will equip the chosen student with skills to work in the business end of the global fashion industry. The student will also be mentored by the Luminance team and have the opportunity to intern at the stores and learn about the business of fashion firsthand.

“As one of the local designers featured in Luminance, Gert-Johan has inspired us with his social involvement, and the way he uses his fashion platform to make a difference in the lives of others,” says Dlamini. “Luminance, through the family foundation that my husband and I founded, has always invested in the education of our youth, focusing on medicine, accounting, actuarial science, engineering and computer science. It is our first venture into supporting students in business within creative arts.” So rather than pure fashion design, Dlamini earmarked NWSD’s Fashion Communication & Buying course, which teaches the business end of fashion – from fashion journalism, marketing and trend forecasting, to buying, event management and online retail aspects.

"The student we select will benefit through an internship program within the Luminance family. We are looking for someone who is driven to succeed in fashion and business and willing to learn…

A good academic record is important to us since it shows discipline, determination and hard work.”

The Luminance Social Responsibility Grant will cover all books and tuition for three years and will include a laptop and a sewing machine from Bernina worth R10 000.

The closing date for entries is 15 August. For details on how to enter, go to www.nwsd.co.za. ENDS

For media enquiries, contact Melinda@shawmedia.co.za

Thursday, 7 April 2016

GJC S/S 2016 - a Fashionable Flair For Education

South African Designer to the stars and NWSD Alumni Gert-Johan Coetzee is celebrating his brand-new Spring Summer 2016 Collection presented by Visa by launching a brand-new bursary and doubling his investment in education by offering not one but two Bursaries to study at North West School of Design.

"Education in SA is under huge pressure. A quarter of 2015's nearly 800 000 matrics failed their final exams; and on some university campuses there are continuing uncertainties after the recent student protests." says Coetzee. 'This generation is the future workforce of South Africa and we need to invest in them."

Coetzee quoted a study by Stellenbosch university Professor Servass Van der Berg, which found that of the 1.2 million children who started Grade 1 in 2002, less than half passed matric 11 years later. ?"The education crises has many aspects, from quality of teachers and the challenges of educating children in their second of third language, to fees being unaffordable to many students. We can't rely on the state to resolve all the problems; it is time for the private sector to get involved and find ways to help," says Coetzee. with his gesture he hopes to inspire other businesses to boost education in their own sectors, he says.

The New bursary will finance one student for a three-year qualification in Fashion Communication and buying at the North West School of Design, where Coetzee Himself qualified. This comes in addition to the existing GJC Fashion Design bursary, which is already in its sixth year.

Bursary applications will open in August 2016

Take a look at his SS16 collection here

Inspired by the idea of African royalty,the collection boasts rich earth tones and rose gold accents, and features textures and techniques that celebrate feminine curves, and " The regal bearing of an African queen", coetzee explains.

Hot links

GJC website

SAFW Website

Thursday, 11 February 2016

NWSD Book Boutique

NWSD's Book Boutique has a range of books used in our curriculum as well as our award winning X!act design patternmaker used by all our students and many industry professionals! Get yours today!

X!ACT Design Pattern Maker

The kit consist of

– The X!act Design Patternmaker™, designed and patented by Marlene Oosthuizen.– The Basic Block Manual, author Marlene Oosthuizen, ISBN 978-0-620-50909-1– Training DVD set

Fun, exciting, confidence-boosting, time saving and easy are but a few words that are used to describe the X!act Patternmaker.

used by many indeustry professionals such as Gert-Johan Coetzee who had the following to say:

"I use the X!act design Patternmaker to make Xact patterns for all my showstoppers, couture gowns and red carpet designs . . ."

Get Your X!act design pattern maker here!

Design Principles

This is more than just a book… this is a guide that will enable you to appeal to a specific target market using the fashion design principles, whether you are a designer, stylist, merchandiser, individual consumer or fashion student. I call it ‘the tricks if the fashion trade’ because it is the foundation of your design knowledge and it develops an analytical perspective of design.

From the application of basic design terminology to styling different personalities and figures, these principles with their descriptive fashion illustrations will equip you with the need-to-know fashion knowledge.

Get Your Copy Here!

The Modern Corsetiere

According to the author, Marlene Oosthuizen of the North West School of Design, there’s a whole lot of confusion about the inner and outer corset that is often misleading if one is not sure exactly what to look for when searching for corset design methods on the internet.

The manual helps you to make sense of the vast differences of websites and blogs which adds to misleading and confusing information found on the web. Marlene also sets apart the two worlds of the under garment and the corset-bodice.

It details how one should understand and be aware of the differences in corset as under garments or as fashionable outerwear from designing, constructing and wearing the corset.

The book covers every aspect of corset designing and is not only for students but also for amateur designers, lecturers, corsetieres, dressmakers and couturiers.

To Get your copy Click Here!

Design Your Price

Design Your Price is a learning and teaching guide for seamstresses, fashion students, emerging designers as well as small independent fashion retailers.

Design Your Price is more than just a guide for those starting out within the fashion industry but is a tool that can be applied on a daily basis for all costing and pricing, no matter which sector of the industry your interest lies in and no matter your level of experience.

Giving the reader an insight into everything cost related, from costing methods to material costs, production costs and retail pricing, the reader will gain a better understanding of what goes into costing and pricing in a simple, easy to read and easy to understand manner.

Whether you are in manufacturing, home sewing or retail, this guide will help to ensure your price is right for your specific target market. Written by an industry professional, experience and knowledge are prevalent throughout this book. This allows you, the reader, to gain the quickest knowledge of the best costing and pricing methods that have been tried and test and that WORK!

To Get your copy Click Here!

Whatever fashion topic you want to know more about NWSD has the book for you!

Wednesday, 11 November 2015

Brutal Fruit Fashion Talk by Gert Johan Coetzee - Back to his designing roots

Brutal Fruit Fashion Talk by Gert Johan Coetzee.

Back to his designing roots. . .

1^st Year fashion student, Kalib Monroe attended the Fashion Talk that was hosted by North West School of Design’s Platinum Fashion Festival on Friday 6 November 2015. Kalib shares his experience:

“When NWSD announced that it will be showcasing student collections from its very own chifferobe at the 2^nd Platinum Fashion Festival, the entire fashion industry knew that perfection will be walking the runway.

But the prestigious college put a twist to the normal fashion shows we are used to watching. They included a hair show, a Brutal Fruit Fashion talk and pop up shops that had everything for the fashionista’s 911 glamour kit.

Gert-Johan Coetzee, the vivacious celebrity designer was the key-note speaker of the Brutal Fruit Fashion Talk, elaborating on the business of fashion and his experience within the industry. Coetzee’s designs have graced the red carpet countless times worn by only the elite of the celebrity inner circle.

When the talk started Coetzee didn’t speak at his audience, he spoke to them. The formalities were thrown out the window and Coetzee engaged in a conversation with his audience. One of the highlights of the talk was when Coetzee said “ I am you!... I sat where you are sitting now, dreaming of becoming the next Alexander McQueen “. Not only does this prove that Coetzee understands the hopes and dreams of a fashion student, it shows that he is humble and as a NWSD graduate, he understands the hard work that goes into each garment.

A smile, followed by a laugh as Coetzee continues with the, and I dare say it, enlightening fashion talk with the most life changing advice.

He started by speaking about marketing. That it is crucial to market yourself in the right way. Everyone may know your name, but not all of them can afford the clothing you’re presenting.

Gert Johan Coetzee also stressed that we have to be sure that all our systems are in place. When Alexander McQueen died, his brand did not falter, because the business had systems in place “

Coetzee added that garment quality is of the up-most importance, and Coetzee knows this all too well as he studied under the firm hand of Marlene Oosthuizen, the principal of North West School of Design.

One of the most inspiring things Coetzee could have said that afternoon was that when you find yourself in a difficult situation, you have to adapt and change your attitude into a positive one, and only then you will succeed in the task at hand.

The topic of the talk was “ my top 5 fashion ideas “ in which Coetzee spoke about his own predicaments within the industry. He advised his audience and the students of NWSD to always be kind towards one another and potential business colleagues. If you’re kind towards another, chances that they would want to do business with you again is guaranteed.

We as fashion design students will know that the key to creating a successful garment is learning. Learning new techniques, new ways of working with a fabric you’ve been feuding with for so long. And this is exactly what Coetzee advised. “Never be afraid to learn more. Fashion is ever evolving, thus we need to adapt with it and learn its new ways “said Coetzee.

Not only was this an exciting time for each audience member, it was enlightening, inspiring and at most educational. Coetzee has sat where the NWSD students are sitting now. He had the same dreams, the same hopes and the same struggles each fashion design student has had thus far. He is not just another designer that came and spoke down to an audience and told them the do’s and don’ts of fashion, he is an individual who can connect with these students like no other designer can.

Power Couple SA contestants, Emile and Razia Samson also grazed the event with their presence interacting on a Question and Answer session with students. Emile is a Visual Merchandiser at one of South Africa's largest retailers and has had the chance to experience many spheres of the retail industry from sales floor work to boutique ownership, Brand management as well as operationally taking care of scores of stores from a visual perspective. Razia is currently a Human Resource Recruiter for the fashion industry with over 20 years experience in the fashion industry modelling, fashion retail and recruitment.

Emile spoke about the visual merchandising world and how as this is his field of expertize, and Razia spoke about recruitment. They answered the questions of NWSD students, advising them to continue with their studies and taking part in internships over the holidays so that they may gain knowledge about the retail world.