Mrs Globe Classic South Africa finds local support from designer for upcoming competition
BRYANSTON – Couturier in Bryanston helps pageant queen.
Mrs Globe Classic 2017 South Africa winner, Charmaine Ellis, has found support from local dress designer Sanette van Schalkwyk as she prepares to compete in the international leg of the Mrs Globe Classic pageant next month in Las Vegas, USA.
Van Schalkwyk, a couturier for the Shifting Sands African Couture Studio in Bryanston, is not only providing a Xhosa-inspired dress for Ellis to wear during the traditional dress stage of the pageant, but she has also sponsored Ellis’ travel, accommodation and entry fee expenses for the competition.
“I really believe that Charmaine has a very good chance of winning [Mrs Globe Classic 2017],” said Van Schalkwyk.
“Not only is she absolutely beautiful, but she has a wonderful personality and is very open as well. When Charmaine tried on the dress [that I designed and made], I knew that it was the perfect fit for her as I often say, the girl makes the dress! She’s going to look lovely, although no one will see her in it until competition night because we want it to be a surprise.”
Ellis was crowned Mrs Globe Classic South Africa during the grand finale hosted at the Protea Hotel at OR Tambo Airport in December last year. This title is awarded each year to a woman who is 45 years or older and is in celebration of a more mature kind of beauty.
“I heard about Sanette’s work from a mutual friend,” Ellis explained when asked how the two women met.
The run-up to the pageant will last a week and finalists will prepare and train for the main event on 24 June. During the pageant, contestants will be judged in three categories including swimming wear, traditional wear and evening wear.
“I’m not nervous about competing,” concluded Ellis. “I’m just excited. I love dressing up!”
As part of her participation in the Mrs Globe Classic pageant, Ellis has raised funds on behalf of the Dignity Dreams non-profit organisation. The charity is dedicated to providing reusable sanitary pads to underprivileged schoolgirls across the country who might otherwise do not have access to these necessary products.
Details: If you would like to support the charity, donate on www.dignitydreams.com or contact Ellis on 082 308 8998.
