Elle New Talent

Winner

Kelly Esterhuyse

Every year eight talented young designers from allover South Africa compete in the Elle New Talent Designer Search, with the hopsof launching their fashion careers and walking away with a mentorship from MrPrice and a cash prize of R25 000.00!

This year’s winner was announced, and KellyEsterhuyse walked away with the coveted title of Elle New Talent 2011 DesignerSearch in association with Mr Price.

“Ultimately what made Kelley’s range stand apart washer ingenious use of a much underutilised resource in South Africa – merinowool.  Knitwear has not appeared in a major way in this competitionbefore and we liked her use of a local, indigenous textile which needs to bepromoted,” said Dion Chang, trend analyst and chief judge of the competition.South African Merino wool is highly prized around the world except in SouthAfrica where it has yet to be tapped into as a valuable local resource.

Pictures by Ivan Naude supplied by CooperPR courtesyof SA Fashion Week

“Coming from Port Elizabeth, which is known as themohair capital, I was introduced to the use of mohair at Nelson MandelaMetropolitan University, where it is a compulsory part of our studies,”explained Esterhuyse, who went through a steep learning curve as she createdher range entirely from wool and leather.  She kept her accessoriesin soft muted tones to complement the simplicity of the natural wool. “Colourcan make knitwear kitsch, so I kept it simple and natural,” she added.

“There was a freshness to Kelley’s range that weloved and the fact that she hand-knitted each jersey also showed herversatility and skill,’ said Chang.  ‘When judging we looked forthree components: commercial viability, a certain ‘wow’ factor and thepossibility of a future – who would we want to see more of?  Kelleyanswered all three criteria.”

Kelly joins the likes of David Tlale and Tiaan Nagelwho previously won the Elle New Talent Designer Search, which proofs that winningthe competition Esterhuyse’s career will be boost to newheights.  She will be flown to Mr Price’s headquarters in Durban toundertake a two-week mentorship and be given the chance to design a range forMr Price.

“This has been the most incredible experience and theexposure is awesome,’ said an elated Esterhuyse after receiving her award. “Ifinish my studies this year and I can’t wait to start my own label – Ulijana,which means creative spirit in French.  I am so grateful to Elle andMr Price for this opportunity.”


I did not get invited to the show, but here's hoping for next year...

Congratulation Kelly, you’re range lookedspectacular!

Keep It Fab

StanRaw