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The Citizen
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Mzansi celebs enjoy a French countryside getaway [PICS]
The stars gave fans a glimpse into their luxurious countryside getaway. Mzansi stars, rapper Nadia Nakai, media personality Relebogile Mabotja, designer Gert-Johan Coetzee, and musicians Este and Lourens Raaf have been soaking up the sun and serenity in France. The group visited Château de Montflour, a restored 15th-century castle in France's Creuse region, proudly owned by South African entrepreneurs Christo and Elbé Lindeque. ALSO READ: A slice of bush heaven that delivers more than just wildlife Inside Mzansi's French countryside getaway Taking to their social media platforms, the stars gave fans a glimpse into their luxurious countryside getaway. 'From quaint cobblestone streets to majestic châteaux,' wrote Nadia, posting pictures from the trip. Mabotja also shared her experience, saying the long travel was worth it. 'Over four hours outside of Paris, worth the flight, trains, and car rides to it. Stunning art and tapestries, solid restorations, and my favourite part—they have chickens…' she posted. Located in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Château de Montflour is the vision of South African couple Christo and Elbé Lindeque, who purchased the historic property in 2021. They've since transformed it into a boutique guesthouse and event space that marries French heritage with South African warmth. Musicians Este and Lourens Raaf shared peaceful moments in the hills and al fresco dinners on the estate, while fashion designer Gert-Johan Coetzee offered glimpses of the stylish suites and nearby towns. 'It was a place that made me breathe differently. Slower. Deeper. A place that unlocked quiet thoughts and stirred something creative in me,' Coetzee wrote. 'This wasn't just a beautiful setting—it was one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. This wasn't just a trip. It was a story I got to live,' Coetzee wrote. NOW READ: And the nominations for the 2025 kykNET Silwerskerm Awards for Film and TV are…
IOL News
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Dazzle in style: Gert-Johan Coetzee's must-have fashion tips for the Hollywoodbets Durban July
Explore Gert-Johan Coetzee's fashion insights to create a stunning look that honours South Africa's rich heritage. Image: Supplied With the Hollywoodbets Durban July fast approaching, this year's "Marvels of Mzansi" theme promises an exciting celebration of South Africa's rich heritage and cultural diversity, allowing attendees to express their style. The highly anticipated annual social event will take place on Saturday, July 5, at the Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse. If you are putting together your look at the last minute, here are some tips from one of South Africa's celebrated designers. 'Independent Media Lifestyle' spoke with renowned South African fashion designer Gert-Johan Coetzee to discuss what this theme means and how it can be interpreted in fashion. According to the acclaimed designer, 'Marvels of Mzansi' theme is an ode to the vibrancy, diversity and soul of South Africa. 'It's about honouring our landscapes, our people and our creative spirit. In fashion, this can be interpreted through bold prints, textured fabrics and silhouettes that echo both tradition and modernity,' he said. Coetzee emphasises that each piece should tell a story, whether through beadwork, vivid hues, or innovative designs inspired by South Africa's rich heritage. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Balancing modern style with cultural significance When asked how celebrities and fashionistas can balance modern style with the theme's cultural significance, Coetzee stressed the importance of 'intentional fusion'. He shared that modern style doesn't have to clash with tradition but can elevate it while the origins are respected and personal style shines. The 37-year-old creative adds that the balance lies in research, appreciation and creativity. Key fashion pieces and accessories To fit the 'Marvels of Mzansi' theme, Coetzee recommends incorporating statement pieces that showcase South African heritage. This can include statement headpieces or turbans with bold, geometric designs or beautiful beadwork, bold-print wraps or skirts in heritage patterns like Ankara or Ndebele, artisanal jewellery crafted by local artisans, and embroidered jackets or vests with a touch of heritage and modern silhouette. He said, 'Think chunky necklaces, cuffs, or earrings crafted by local artisans. And what outfit is complete without a fabulous pair of sunglasses?' Incorporating vibrant colours and patterns There is so much diversity in South Africa, and the options for the chosen theme are endless. To reflect the theme's vibrant spirit, Coetzee suggests starting with one standout piece, like a patterned skirt, and keeping the rest of the outfit neutral while also wearing your confidence as an accessory. 'Mzansi's colour palette is joyful, think sunsets, earth tones, and bold primaries,' he said. Want to make a statement with their outfit while still respecting the cultural heritage of the theme? Coetzee advises starting with authenticity, plus knowing and understanding the symbolism behind patterns you are drawn to. 'Collaborate with local designers or brands to support the community while creating something unique. And most importantly, let your outfit reflect your story, too. Fashion is most powerful when it's personal,' he concluded. With these expert tips from the iconic Coetzee, you will be well on your way to creating a stunning outfit that celebrates the 'Marvels of Mzansi' theme.
The Citizen
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Homage to Queen Nandi: Nomzamo Mbatha reveals secrets behind her regal Shaka iLembe gown
When actress and humanitarian Nomzamo Mbatha stepped onto the red carpet at the Shaka iLembe premiere, jaws dropped and cameras clicked in awe. Dressed in a bold, custom Gert-Johan Coetzee creation, she redefined red-carpet royalty. Nomzamo Mbatha shares the secrets of her regal Shaka iLembe dress: a gown fit for a Zulu queen. The gown, rich in symbolism, detail, and cultural tribute, sparked headlines, hashtags, and high praise. Speaking exclusively to The Citizen, Nomzamo unpacks the vision, collaboration, and craftsmanship behind the unforgettable dress that paid homage to African queenship and the art of storytelling through fashion. Nomzamo Mbatha didn't just arrive at the Shaka iLembe premiere; she conquered it. Nomzamo Mbatha Nxumalo. Picture: @kpaparazzi_ In a moment that fused fashion with history, actress Nomzamo stole the spotlight in a custom Gert-Johan Coetzee gown that has since become one of the most talked-about South African red-carpet looks in recent years. The dramatic ensemble, adorned with cowrie shells and shield motifs, wasn't just a showstopper – it was a statement. Nomzamo Mbatha. Picture: @kpaparazzi_ 'It wasn't just about looking beautiful. It was about embodying a woman stepping into power. A kingmaker,' Mbatha told The Citizen. Having played Queen Nandi in the epic historical series Shaka iLembe, Mbatha was deeply involved in the design process for her premiere look. She didn't just want a dress; she wanted to wear a narrative. 'I had gathered a curated Pinterest board of ideas around what a woman who is coming into her own would feel like in the world,' she says. 'An homage to Queen Nandi in the best way possible.' The gown was meticulously brought to life by renowned designer Gert-Johan Coetzee, known for his ability to merge bold vision with intricate craftsmanship. 'Gert has always had the respect of craftsmanship and never takes shortcuts,' says Mbatha. 'I thought of him to be a collaborator on this, and he made sure the shields played a significant role.' Constructed with heavy embellishment, hand-beading, and layers of symbolism, the dress was a technical and visual marvel. 'Yes, the dress is weighty,' Mbatha laughs. 'But what's that saying? Heavy is the head that… well, in this case, heavy is the hem that wears the shells.' Nomzamo Mbatha Nxumalo and Gert-Johan Cotzee. Picture: @kpaparazzi_ Designer Gert-Johan Coetzee shares that the dress, an entirely handcrafted ensemble, took over 260 hours to complete, featuring more than 10,000 individually hand-stitched beads and over 1000 cowrie shells. ALSO READ: 'A brand-new chapter': Minnie Dlamini joins Gagasi FM The Cowrie shells were non-negotiable for the actress. Historically, the shells have been used as currency and spiritual symbols across Africa, and they have grounded the dress in deeper meaning. 'I wanted something that felt like true strength and power,' she explains. 'They represent wealth, divinity, and womanhood. It had to be powerful.' Nomzamo Mbatha Nxumalo. Picture @kpaparazzi_ Coetzee's team of bead workers – all women, many of whom are fans of the show – brought the design to life over countless hours. 'Gert has incredible women bead workers who are meticulous and enthusiastic. They wanted to make something different,' Mbatha notes. As for the logistics of wearing such a detailed piece? 'Putting it on wasn't too tough, although it's a two-man job!' she quips. 'Walking in it was another story. I had to ensure not to step on the shells – hopefully not crush them!' But every struggle was worth the moment. On that red carpet, Nomzamo Mbatha wasn't just an actress at a premiere – she was a queen among mortals, wrapped in a story stitched by history, culture, and excellence. ALSO READ:Trump launches new gold smartphone 'made entirely in US' 'Gert is one of the most iconic South African brands,' she concludes. 'He leads with excellence and doesn't compromise. I needed that for this moment.' And what a moment it was, not just fashion, but a fierce celebration of heritage, womanhood, and rising power.
Mail & Guardian
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Mail & Guardian
Gert-Johan Coetzee: The return of the self
Runaway success: Gert-Johan Coetzee's The Arrival collection at the opening of the South Africa Spring/Summer collections, which took to the runway on 24 April at in Johannesburg's Hyde Park. Three days of fashion weeking can truly wear the spirit thin. But this is not a complaint — it's more of a gentle reminder. A reminder that engaging in anything creative is consuming. It demands more than presence. It demands mind, body and soul. That is why, every year, I show up not only as a witness but as a vessel, ready to absorb, to reflect and to carry the stories that these clothes, these spaces, these moments insist on telling. Day one of the 2025 South Africa Spring/Summer collections, held on 24 April at The Forum in Hyde Park, Johannesburg did more than whisper — it roared. And who else but Gert-Johan Coetzee to deliver such a thunderous opening with a collection titled The Arrival. It was not just fashion. It was an experience. It was theatre. It was soul-searching. As I walked through the doors after registering, I was immediately struck by a sense of intimacy, of invitation. The foyer was more than a waiting area — it was an exhibition. Stands displayed prints of Coetzee's original sketches, delicate strokes of thought made tangible. If you were lucky, and I was, your fingers might have grazed not just a copy, but the original. Paper holding moments of doubt and brilliance alike. Sign of the times: Gert-Johan Coetzee and his designs at South African Fashion Week. (Eunice Driver Photography) Then came the headphones. Wireless, sleek, resting gently on stands as if waiting for the right ears to find them. I placed a pair on and was transported. Visuals played — Coetzee, pacing, questioning, doubting. 'Am I good enough?' he asked himself. And I felt my heart lean in. Imposter syndrome. The quiet echo chamber in so many of us. It doesn't discriminate. Whether you're an emerging designer, seasoned stylist or someone like me who translates fashion into feeling, these questions follow us. Seeing someone like Coetzee, with his accolades and accomplishments, admit to those fears was disarming in the most human of ways. 'Even after all the accolades, I sometimes ask myself: Do I really belong here?' Coetzee wrote in a release. 'But what I've come to learn is that heritage doesn't wait for us to be confident. It moves through us, regardless. It's already in us.' That line stayed with me. It echoed even as I mingled, sipping a cold non-alcoholic spritzer, chatting about fabrication and silhouettes with designers, stylists and a handful of influencers who still remember how to hold real conversation. And then came the show. The Arrival. Aptly named. What we saw was a return to self, a reawakening. The narrative unfolded visually — travellers returning to Earth not with answers, but with transformation. They left in search of something beyond and returned with the strength of the journey etched into the fabric of who they are. Isn't that the story of all of us who dare to dream and create? The garments were the perfect storytelling medium. A collision of worlds — of space and soil, stars and roots. You could see it in the fabric choices, in the movement of the clothing. Some silhouettes felt futuristic, sculptural, almost alien in structure. Others whispered ancestral truths. And, somehow, they all belonged together. Harmonious in their differences. Like a choir made up of many dialects, singing the same song. Colours told their own tale. Blue, yellow, red, black and white — the colours danced across garments like a coded message, deciphered only by those who've dared to feel deeply. They weren't just aesthetic choices; they were markers, signposts pointing us to ideas about identity, power, history and becoming. Africa and the cosmos stitched into one another. A dialogue, not a monologue. One of the standouts were the yellow bubble dresses — with intricate detailing, feather-looking from afar, echoing constellations. It was a reminder — we carry our stories not just on our backs but in our blood. But it wasn't just the fashion. It was how the entire show was curated. The audience wasn't just observing; we were part of it. We felt Coetzee's vulnerability, his questions, his arrival. And in doing so, many of us arrived too. Arrived at our own understanding of worth, of heritage, of creation. This wasn't just the beginning of Fashion Week. This was the beginning of something bigger. A call to return to the self, to trust that what runs in our blood — our heritage — will always show up for us, even when we doubt ourselves. And so, day one reminded me why I keep returning to these spaces year after year. It's not just about garments and trends. It's about the conversations — both spoken and unspoken. It's about witnessing someone else's journey and realising it's not so different from your own. So, yes. Fashion week is exhausting. But it's also exhilarating, revealing, and grounding all at once. And The Arrival did exactly what its title promised. It arrived. It landed. It touched down in the heart. And in doing so, it reminded us that we are already enough.
The Citizen
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
SA's Gen Z has opened up a brave new world of style
From neon dungarees to technotribal accessories, South African youth are rewriting the rules of style – one wild ensemble at a time. South African youths' fashion is definitely a vibrant tapestry woven with threads of tradition, global influence, and a dash of: 'Did I really just see that?' Oversized sunglasses have always been a statement, but today's youth have taken it to entomological extremes. These bug-eyed behemoths are less about shielding from the sun and more about making sure they're spotted from space. One can't help but wonder if they're doubling as portable magnifying glasses for impromptu insect studies. Something that gives me a twitch in my neck is the once ultimate fashion faux pas. Pairing socks with sandals has been resurrected as the epitome of cool. ALSO READ: Designer Gert-Johan Coetzee captivates at SA Fashion Week 2025 It's as if the youth collectively decided that comfort trumps aesthetics, and who are we to argue? Perhaps it's a nod to the unpredictability of South African weather – a readiness for both beach and blizzard. I have also noticed that traditional Shweshwe fabric has made a triumphant return, but with a twist. Young fashionistas are incorporating these vibrant patterns into everything from sneakers to snapbacks, blending heritage with haute couture. It's a beautiful homage to culture, though seeing a Shweshwe tracksuit can be as surprising as finding biltong in a vegan café. Why choose between modernity and tradition when you can have both? Enter the technotribal trend: USB necklaces, beaded earbuds and wireless chargers adorned with Zulu beadwork. It's the perfect fusion of past and present, though one does wonder about the practicality of a beaded phone case during load shedding. High-waisted, wide-legged, and often in the loudest prints imaginable, have made cargo pants a staple. They're as bold as the youth wearing them, making a statement that's hard to ignore. ALSO READ: Winter 2025 fashion: What to wear this season,essentials to elevate your seasonal style! Practical? Debatable. But in a world where subtlety is overrated, why not? Brave? In my eyes, yes. Eco-consciousness is in vogue, with thrift shopping and upcycling becoming the norm. It's heartening to see the youth championing sustainability, though the irony of buying 'pre-distressed' jeans for triple the price isn't lost on anyone. My eyes sweep over my regular wardrobe and I sigh. Where is the gutsy person hiding these days? Why am I not dressed in a delightful dance of contradictions? Why can I only write about a generation unafraid to express themselves, even if that expression involves neon dungarees and a hat that doubles as a fruit bowl? Here's to the fearless fashionistas leading the charge, one quirky ensemble at a time. NOW READ: Solitude vs society: Balancing our inner introvert and social instincts
