Local fashion designer has an eye for detail

SECUNDA – From the age of five, Mr John Wayne Keyser (28) knew he wanted to be a fashion designer.

As a child and the youngest sibling of three, Mr Keyser would watch with his parents the soapie Bold and Beautiful, which revolved around the fashion industry. He remembers sitting in front of the television and sketching out designs.

He received a sewing machine as an 18th birthday gift from his mom’s friend.

“I bought fabric and stitched it into a shirt which I then made into a dress.

“The first full dress I made was for my best friend, I had no idea what I was doing,” said a laughing Mr Keyser.

After completing matric, he wanted to study fashion design, but was unable to do so due to financial constraints.

He then took a gap year and worked for Century Electrical in Evander.

In 2011 he came across a Facebook page that promoted a bursary competition at the North West School of Design by renowned designer, Gert-Johan Coetzee.

Mr Keyser took a chance and submitted all sketches required and was chosen as winner of the bursary from among the 2 000 entries.

This young man has made a name for himself through his years as a designer, and many can vouch for his top notch work.

He has designed more than 400 dresses.

Some of his designs have even been worn by the famous, such as actress Fulu Mugovhani at the Royalty Soapie Awards. This was one of his greatest achievements.

A love for people and making someone feel better about themselves are what motivates him.

“We live in a society where image is everything. Just because you don’t fit the typical beauty standards, does not mean you are not beautiful, that is why I love what I do.

“I often see where people have been stepped on or shamed for how they look. In society today, if you don’t fit the mould or if you don’t look a certain way, you are pushed away.

For me, it is helping to gain confidence. We all have a favourite outfit or piece we like to wear and when we wear these items, we feel good and have confidence. No matter what shape, size or form, if I can help someone feel more confident and beautiful, then I know my job is done,” said Mr Keyser.

He believes a customer should always be a first priority.

His designs are tailor-made and one of the kind, unlike a dress one would buy on the Internet or in the store which is a duplicate of someone else’s.

“The final fitting has to be my favourite part of being a designer. Just the look on my clients faces, you can see they feel confident and beautiful. This is my biggest drive, I want to make a woman feel at her most beautiful.”

Mr Keyser said supporting local designers is important. Local designers have just as much talent as that of designers in the city.

He wants to change people’s mindset that they don’t have to travel far in order to get the same calibre of design.

“Supporting local is always better, it is less travelling. If something needs to be changed last minute it is not like you have to travel out of town. It is on your doorstep and you are going to get the same tailored bespoke garments as you will get somewhere else,” said Mr Keyser.

For those who are matriculating this year, Mr Keyser’s best advice is to start early and work on your ideas.

He feels that with the chance he had been given to study, he has to pay it forward. He therefore designs a charity dress every year and then runs a competition for a matriculant who needs a matric farewell dress.

Go like and follow Mr Keyser on the JWK Couture Facebook page and keep an eye out for future details about this competition.