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Gert-Johan Coetzee takes fashion industry by storm with Barbie collab
The Barbie and Gert-Johan collaboration was inspired by the different cultures and personalities that can be found in South Africa.
Barbie and Gert-Johan Coetzee collaboration. Picture: Instagram
Fashion designer Gert-Johan Coetzee has partnered with Barbie to create an international clothing collection which is inspired by the diversity of South Africa.
The Barbie and Coetzee collaboration includes 31 outfits which consist of both couture outfits and ready-to-wear items.
On 10 November, the fashion designer held a stunning launch party in Johannesburg to celebrate his collaboration, and the launch was attended by South Africa’s A-list celebrities such as Pearl Thusi, DJ Zinhle, and Thembi Seete.
Coetzee painted the town pink as the venue was draped in pink Barbie decor, pink finger foods and treats, and pink drinks.
Some time in the evening, attendees got the chance to get up close and personal with the clothing items from the collaborations as gorgeous models paraded the venue wearing some of the outfits, giving guests the chance to take in Coetzee’s wonderful creations and take pictures and videos.
The Citizen got the chance to talk to Coetzee about his exciting collaboration with Barbie. Here’s what he said:
Q. How did growing up in Koster shape you as a fashion designer?
Growing up in Koster was fundamental to my fashion design style and career. I think growing up on the farm, surrounded by so many cultures and diversifications, has really inspired me and until today a lot of my inspiration comes from the farm.
Q. How did your career as a fashion designer begin?
My career as a fashion designer started when I was younger than six years old. I had always wanted to be a fashion designer, it has been a life long dream and a passion and calling. It wasn’t a choice, it was literally a calling, something I had to do.
For me I really started blossoming in my fashion career after I studied in Klerksdorp. I became very lucky very soon, getting a job to design for in Strictly Come Dancing and then that snowballed into dressing a Kardashian and now having people like Oprah Winfrey and Cardi B as clients has really been a very phenomenal journey for me and I’m so grateful for it.
Q. Can you tell us a bit about your collaboration with Barbie?
I have collaborated with Barbie to really showcase a beautiful African collection inspired by South Africa. I wanted to bring across all the different cultures and personalities that we have in South Africa. The whole collection is really about diversity.
I wanted to show how inclusive the Gert-Johan Coetzee brand is, as well as the Barbie brand, by showcasing garments that everybody can see themselves in. I really tried to represent everybody in terms of religions, cultures and ethnicities.
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