IN PICS | Miss SA designers tell us what went into their creations

While we might love them on runways and Instagram shops, local designers also get to shine on the Miss South Africa stage. Four of them will be dressing the Miss SA finalists in what is set to be a “fashion-forward” 2023 finale.

This year's pageant takes place at Sun International’s flagship venue, the SunBet Arena at Time Square, Pretoria. Musical acts will include Jimmy Nevis, Robot Boii and Brenda Ntambo among others. However, the fashion front will be held down by designers Shelli, Gert-Johan Coetzee, Sherif Tailor, William de Beer and Tracy B.

One of the most talked about sections of the pageant, the swimwear is a long-standing tradition that can make or break the next queen from getting a step closer to the crown. The designers behind Shelli Handcrafted and Tracy B have collaborated for the section. While the vibrant creations from Tracy B are not new to the Miss SA stage, Shelli shares that she was inspired by the American designer Michael Costello for her creations.

“My signature style includes a high neck choker and shoulder epaulettes embellished with silver and gold tube beads and unique knot pattern combinations, allowing me to create a visually rich and captivating look, and my luxurious macramé designs are handcrafted with attention to detail and are custom-made according to my clients’ needs, while also creating exclusive limited collections.”

“I believe the finalists should wear a power suit that reflects their personality, confidence, and screams ‘I am ready to take the crown and conquer the world’, so what better way to give each contestant a round of applause for the courage they have for embarking on this journey and for how far they’ve come, than by dressing them in a brocade fabric, a class of richly decorative shuttle-woven fabrics that makes luxury clothing. This material is highly valued because it is made of silk and contains fine gold and silver threads, which best describes the seven finalists. The admiration of various fabrics, colour schemes, and what I can create with them serve as my sources of inspiration.”