Cape Town designer stars on the red carpet
2014 June 7. | Szerző: shannon |
A local designer is in the spotlight after actress and model Tanit Phoenix wore one of his designs to the Hollywood premiere of Maleficent.
Jas Myburgh, a fashion and design lecturer at Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), has designed four evening gowns for Phoenix, one for each of the premieres. The rest will take place in Tokyo, London and Sydney.
Phoenix is dating South African actor Sharlto Copley, who plays the part of King Stephan in the dark fantasy film. Maleficent is Disney’s spin on Sleeping Beauty. Copley co-stars with Angelina Jolie and Elle Fanning.
Jolie wore a Versace gown to the May 28 world premiere at the El Capitan Theatre, while her husband Brad Pitt wore Gucci. But Phoenix opted for a South African designer.
Myburgh studied fashion design at CPUT in 1990. He spent two years working in Spain, and started designing under his own name when he came back.
He is passionate about teaching, and the clothes he makes. Myburgh has dressed several South African models and celebrities, and has been involved in national and international competitions.
He met Phoenix – who was born in Durban – in 2006. He designed her lingerie for a shoot, and they stayed in touch and became friends. In August last year, she told Myburgh she’d love to wear a local garment to the premiere.
Phoenix was in the country for three months last year, and Myburgh started working on the gowns.
“I tried to keep a very unique look for her. The garments are African and South African inspired,” he says.
“There is so much inspiration in Africa. It is one of the big trends at the moment, with lots of colour. We took that and transformed it into a glamorous evening gown. Something special with a story behind it.”
The bodice is made of silk tulle, with an Ndebele pattern embroidered on it. Black crystal beads were hand-sewn. It took about a month to make.
“In the South African clothing industry, the seamstresses get so little credit for what they do,” says Myburgh. “It’s something that’s dying out. The specialists in this field are getting old, and the new generation aren’t interested in this aspect of design.
Myburgh is passionate about keeping it alive, as the “fabrication” – creating the details on fabric by hand – is very important to him.
“Hand beading, embroidering, and how a garment is finished off … the reason for couture is how a garment is made,” he says.
While Phoenix wasn’t part of the film, her dress did attract a lot of attention. Myburgh says his social media profile spiked considerably.
“It’s a designer’s dream to dress a celebrity and to be in the spotlight, and on the same platform as Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. I’m on cloud nine. It’s the beginning of something new, and very exciting,” he says.
While he can’t reveal what the other garments look like just yet, Myburgh says they are all African-inspired pieces of couture.
“I just hope the movie gets an Oscar. I really want to make her dress for the Oscars,” he says.
Who’s that girl?
Model and actress Tanit Phoenix, 29, was born in Durban, but now lives in Cape Town and Los Angeles.
Phoenix has been in a relationship with actor Sharlto Copley since January 2012. Copely, who acts in Maleficent, also starred in Elysium and District 9. Phoenix has appeared in Spud, Death Race: Inferno, and Safe House.
She started her career in Durban at the age of 14 and has appeared in local and international commercials, on magazine covers and in lingerie campaigns.
Her name seems like the perfect stage name, but it is her real name.
On her Facebook fanpage, Phoenix writes that she is inspired by her work.
“I love everything about modelling, film and acting and it has always stemmed from observing people and understanding the human condition,” she writes.
When acting and modelling, she shows her vulnerability.
“It’s such amazing self-expression, showing raw emotions. It’s empowering and exhilarating. Such a challenge.”
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