Your Girl B* got to live out her Victoria’s Secret dreams as she opened and closed the SA Lingerie Fashion Show which took place last night (06 October) at Canal Walk in Cape Town.
Bonang Matheba is the official brand ambassador for the Woolies Distraction Lingerie line so she wore the latest pieces from the range, including a black Distraction bodysuit paired with a Gert-Johan Coetzee design as the pièce de résistance to close the show.
....Bonang For Distraction ☺️👑🐝 pic.twitter.com/u4e2aILSbB
— Bonang B* Matheba (@bonang_m) October 6, 2016
Matheba and Coetzee have been collaborating to make magic for years. Coetzee attributes their success to the mutual respect they have for each other.
“You get power couples and then you get fashion power couples, that’s Bonang and I. It’s all about collaborating and listening to people, we both respect each other and understand where to push and where to let go,” explained Coetzee.
The designer also revealed that Queen B usually asks for one main thing and leaves the rest up to him.
“The number one thing she says is, ‘Gert, I want to be cinched, I want my waist to appear tiny!’ [so] it’s so easy to work with her – every design that we create together slays. When I design a dress for her I intend for it to outshine everyone in the room and I think that’s what Bonang appreciates. That’s why we’re such a power duo,” said Coetzee.
When asked what the inspiration behind the Distraction ‘warrior’ design was, Coetzee chalked it all up to drawing inspiration from strong, passionate women.
“With this specific design I really wanted Bonang to look goddess-like and fantastical. I looked at Woolworths’ Distraction lingerie and wanted to seamlessly incorporate that into the design without sealing away from Bonang’s personality and the Gert-Johan Coetzee flair,” said Coetzee.
“I really wanted the showpiece to exude regality – an almost statuesque figure – yet still retain a feminine and flirtatious touch,” he added.
One of the ways he achieved that ‘regality’ was by completely embellishing the showpiece with Swarovski crystals which explode (his words, not ours) into a full ostrich feather skirt. In addition to giving off a regal air with his designs, the designer says he also loves to focus on highlighting the nuances of the female form.
“You can spot a Gert-Johan design from a mile away. It’s all about the waist, elongating the figure and working with shape. I don’t know what the magic is but we always try to find it!” explained the designer.
You can find you own magic by taking the designer’s tips for what’s hot this summer.
“Bottle green is huge this summer. Get your hands on a classic boyfriend jacket – army style,” said Coetzee.
Add to that, his recipe for the ultimate warrior goddess and you’ve got one stylish, memorable summer ahead of you.
“I think my ultimate warrior goddess is a woman that respects herself and knows what she wants. Confidence is one of the most attractive features in a woman and comes through with how she presents herself. Confidence is always beautiful. If you’re confident in yourself and fiercely stand by your beliefs, this shows how you live your life,” said the designer.
Photo credit: Andrew Brown