The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul. Whether you paint, write, sing or design, even the computer fun dies have creative souls. As Einstein said: “True sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination”. My son won’t agree, but he is an accountant. Creative people are easily bored, can’t sit still around doing nothing. They are risk takers, color outside the lines, make lots of mistakes, hate rules and instructions. Then being creative energizer and refreshes your mind, spirit and soul. I realized I’m mad enough to be a designer, but crazy enough to love it.

Designing gorgeous, glamorous gowns, from Bridal, Matric dance to pageant gowns, is part of my DNA, it’s in my blood running through my veins. Sometimes it’s a curse as your mind is always busy creating. It might look like I’m listening to you but in my head I’m busy creating, sketching and sewing. It’s my retreat, my safe haven. My first client was my Barbie doll, now my circle of besties are my mannequins. It’s sometimes difficult to leave my sewing-creative space as my mannequins have accepted me as one of their own, I might lose their trust. I think I was about 6 when It all started with one box of fabric off cuts I got from my Granny. In fact, I got a lot more from her then just the inspirational box of fabrics. To me it was treasure. My doll, Nadja was the most fashionable, trendiest, glamorous Barbie on the playground. All original bespoke fancy gowns. Till today fabric is an incredible inspiration, another confession and week point of mine. Just can’t resist exquisite laces, intricate beaded pieces and luxurious satins. The problem is just I shop faster then I sew. Luckily a designer never discusses the size of their fabric collections.

Each piece of fabric has the potential to be a famous, glamorous gown. It’s our responsibility to save them from the fabric shop. Nothing haunts me more like fabric I didn’t buy. My brave husband, hats off to him. Putting up with me and all my crazy big dreams and sewing room that is never tidy. But then creative clutter is better than idle tidiness. My biggest fear is that when I die my husband will sell my fabrics for what I told him I paid for it. You never know when inspiration will strike, while sleeping, cooking, driving or listening to music. It’s such an overwhelming feeling, you have to get to your sketchpad and mannequin as a matter of life and death. They say; obsession is essential to creativity. And the best thing about creativity is the more you use the more you have. I create because I have a need to share the most beautiful part of my soul with each bride or matric girl. They are in my mind as I create on their dresses. The love and energy flows through the design and fabric into their dress, captured with each pearl and bead.

Every client is unique and beautiful. It is extremely inspiring and rewarding being part of each one’s journey towards their magical day when they wear their “one-day dress” whether it’s their Wedding, matric dance or moment on stage as a beauty pageant model. Every woman has their dream one- day dress. I have to confess that it’s very scary and daunting putting your heart out there. You reveal your inner soul. Luckily the desire to create and to show my original fascinating designs over comes the fear of judgement and rejection. If your dreams don’t scare you, they not big enough.

I do criticize myself a lot, always feel I could have made the dress more divine knock out gorgeous. Always feel I’m not good enough, should’ve done more. Then I realize doctors save lives by constructing a healthy life, designers save lives by constructing a life worth living. Design won’t save the world. But it damn sure makes it look beautiful. At New Romantics, I as a Designers I create for you what you didn’t know you were missing.