Experience

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  Mantua Silkwear

  • South Africa
  • Retail Apparel and Fashion
  • 1 - 100 Employee

  • Owner / Designer

    • Jan 2017 - Present

    man~tu~aˈman(t)SHəwə/ nounA woman's loose gown of a kind fashionable during the 17th and 18th centuries. From French manteau "cloak, mantle," from Old French mantel (see mantle); form influenced in English by Mantua, name of a city in Italy. Mantua-maker (1690s) became the general early 19c. term for "dressmaker." Mantua Silkwear is designed and manufactured in Stellenbosch, South Africa, and inspired by the colourful heartbeat of Africa as well as the ethereal luminosity of silk and how it transforms to the body. As a counterpoint to disposable fashion, the Mantua Collection of silk scarves and garments is trans-seasonal and beyond trends, weaving stories inspired by the eclectic pattern and colour of Southern Africa.

  • Creative Director

    • Jan 2016 - Present

    As an innovative designer, I am inspired by the world around me, and I channel this inspiration into everything I do. With a deep-rooted love for art, creativity, and the transformative power of expressive colour, I have dedicated my life to the pursuit of excellence in design along with a highly intuitive approach when working with people. I have the ability to read and interpret cultural and societal shifts that define the zeitgeist and identify emerging trends, understanding ever-evolving consumer needs, and predicting the direction in which design is heading.

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  Juandi Novelty Womanswear

  • Stellenbosch, Western Cape

  • Founder / Designer

    • 2015 - Present
    • Stellenbosch, Western Cape

    Independent fashion designer with a small boutique label, specialising in novelty clothes and once-off pieces in quality fabrics for individuals.

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  Self-employed / Food writer and stylist

  • Johannesburg Area, South Africa

  • Food Stylist

    • Jan 2004 - Jan 2011
    • Johannesburg Area, South Africa