Not many people can boast rubbing shoulders with Beyonce, Kate Middleton, Selena Gomez and Kim Kardashian. But former Durbanite Catherine Deane can!

Catherine’s an established figure in the global fashion industry. She grew up on the east coast before striking it big overseas. Catherine started her fashion business at home 12-years ago before moving to Londonand then New York. There, her fashion range caught the eye of many celebs, the most recent being Devil Wears Prada actress, Emily Blunt. Catherine’s told East Coast Radio’s Anisa Ussuph, “We’ve been working closely with her stylist. Who we want to dress ideally, is a woman who is graceful and behaving herself well. We’ve been quite selective about who we want to be wearing our dresses to make sure they are compatible with our brand image.”

Catherine is also the ambassador for local NGO, The Unlimited Child, an early childhood development initiative. She was inDurbanlast week, visiting crèches aligned to the charity.

“South Africais a country close to my heart.  When first starting my business inSouth Africa, I personally encountered how a lack of early childhood development could affect adults later in terms of dexterity and motor skills.  My locally employed seamstresses sometimes found tasks such as cutting fabric very challenging and this can be traced back to not getting proper stimulation and education at a young age to develop these essential skills.  I hope to effect positive change through education, especially in the lives of children. Working with The Unlimited Child is giving me the opportunity to be part of the solution.”

Catherine went on to say, “The Unlimited Child provides educational toys and practical training for caregivers at crèches.  Access to education and stimulation create a solid foundation from which children can reach their true potential.  I believe we all deserve this chance and hope that my contribution will truly change the lives of many South African kids.”