Elle loves fashion events with a purpose, like yesterday evening’s Bloom that was put on by Positive Heroes and the City of Cape Town. Guest enjoyed live entertainment by Sterling EQ and Lindiwe Suttle while viewing some of the best designer collections South Africa has to offer, including an auction of designer items inspired by the theme, ‘Bloom’. Some of the designers who participated were Terrence Bray, Christopher Strong, Stefania Morland and our 2010 ELLE New Talent Designer Search winner, Cleo Droomer. All funds raised through the auction of this and other designer pieces as well as ticket sales for the evening will go to Positive Heroes, an NGO that creates HIV/Aids awareness and provide encouragement for those living with the disease.

Terrence Bray showed a suit (above) that was hand-beaded by KZN’s Woza Moya, which provides community support for people affected by HIV/Aids. Features writer Cheska Liackman chatted to Terrence about his participation in the evening and the importance of giving back.

How did your collaboration with Woza Moya come about?
I was asked by HSH Princess Charlene of Monaco to create a beaded dress with a traditional influence for her South African wedding reception in Umhlanga. I knew of Woza Moya and their work, and asked them to work with me. They then asked me to design a beaded suit, making use of the crafters they support, for the Cop 17 Conference in Durban. It is a formal suit that weighs 8kg and took 40 crafters to make.

Is it important to you to support local communities?
Self-sustainment is vitally important and forming bonds with communities impact directly on their lives and help to uplift them through employment, particularly if it’s a project like Cop 17 that makes them aware of the environment.

What is the value of participating in Bloom and other events like it to you as a designer?
I am always happy to assist charity events, particularly if it involves awareness of the environment and nature conservation. We need to make people aware of our valuable, and fragile, environment.

via:elle.co.za

You might also like:

Africa Fashion Week-David Tlale