When fashion comes naturally

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KNYSNA NEWS - While it might not quite be what Eve would have worn in the Garden of Eden, women's clothing was taken back to its roots on Saturday 21 November with a Fashion by Nature competition and show held at Knysna's own little piece of paradise – Pledge Nature Reserve.

It may be thousands of years since humans last used plant matter to cover themselves, but the contestants of Ace Models Knysna, Plettenberg Bay and Sedgefield made the journey back in time come to life as the models, who made their own designs, paraded around the reserve while leaving nothing but a green footprint behind.

The competition aimed to incorporate various aspects of nature, be it by means of recycled materials, or by literally using nature in the designs.

Making an outfit was as easy as pinning a few leaves on a jacket, but the designers let their imaginations run wild and conceptualised outfits that would have made Eve green with envy.

Whereas last year' competition attracted 28 contestants, this year it shrank to only 10 – a consequence of the current social and financial climate people find themselves in, according the model agency's owner Charmaine Kruger. The venue this year also inspired a different format to a traditional fashion show.

Photo gallery: Fashion by Nature design competition

Instead of walking up and down a catwalk as they did last year, the models walked a demarcated route around parts of Pledge, with points along the way where they would have to do "freeze modelling".

The route was not long, but weaved its way through sections that were both under the cover of a treetop, as well as open-aired.

Second placed Jasmine Masters, ACE Models Knysna, Plett, and Sedgefield owner Charmaine Kruegr, first placed Allana Jantjies, and third placed Welani Nyorongo.
Photo: Blake Linder

The judges were so enchanted by the entries that, in order to make a final decision, they selected a top five to re-parade their outfits. Jasmine Masters, Welani Nyorongo, Bridget Nkomo, Jane Phillips, and Allana Jantjies, all proudly made their way along the route to show off their creations once more.

In the end, it was Jantjies' creation that won the day, with Masters and Nyorongo taking second and third spot respectively. Prizes were sponsored by Four Flowers Sparkling Water, Knysna Lodges, BodyFlex and Ace Models.

Second placed Jasmine Masters.