Media & Avant Garde Dresses

• Children’s home matric becomes Cinderella

ANGIE Mkhwanazi, a matric pupil at Mandorren High School, realised her dream of attending the school's matric farewell on August 12. Angie was transformed into a modern day Cinderella through the assistance of a group of dedicated people.

She tells her story:

"When a date was set for my matric dance, I was overwhelmed by feelings of excitement, joy and enthusiasm. As a Siphumelele child and youth care centre resident, I was proud of having come this far with my education and attending the farewell was an opportunity to celebrate.

"I saw it as a huge achievement as I had worked hard during my school career and knew that my mentor, Mrs Elsabe Coetzee, Siphumelele's founder, had strived to see me fulfill my goals.

"When I joined Siphumelele in 2006, I often pictured what my final year at school would be like. I was blessed to have attended Mandorren. To this day I remain grateful to Elsabe and Mr Dan Opperman for the wonderful opportunity they afforded me.

"Since the announcement of the dance, I looked forward to enjoying the night with my fellow classmates.

"Although I was not always sure how the preparations would pan out, I had faith that my Siphumelele family would contribute to make the night a fabulous one.

"The Siphumelele board set up a task team headed by two board members to oversee arrangements. I was sometimes nervous but knew they had my best interests at heart.

"The first task and most important was to get a dress. Izelle van der Walt of Isabella Angela Couture signed on to make this a reality. From day one she consulted me on my tastes and came up with a dress to make me feel and look beautiful.

"Izelle put her talent to use and designed my dress free of charge. Mrs Marianne Otto contributed to the labour and supplied material for the dress.

"Mrs Bianca Emmerick, a former board member, bought me shoes. Mrs Lizelle Enslin sponsored my accessories, manicure and perfume, Mrs Velda Frankim organised friends to sponsor my tickets, Le Patre Hair Salon did my hair, Mrs Rose Modise was my makeup artist for the night, Mrs Liezel van Jaarsveld took me shopping for after party clothes and Viv and Marvel Mathys drove me to the venue and back home in style.

"Mr Ashley Gomba shared the privilege of being my date for the night. Mrs Bianca van Wyngaard sponsored transport fees to the after party.

"All these people helped to make me feel like a princess. I am ever grateful to all the sponsors and board members who are part of the Siphumelele family. Your presence in my family is amazing.

"I now look forward to completing my exams, passing and truly making the Siphumelele family proud of the foundation they have laid."

• First runner-up in Bridal Africa Young Designer
Competition 2010

"For the competition I studied the designs of the Middle East, wanting to portray a mysterious desert queen in the design. The pleated layers of carious shades of champagne, gold, beige, white and brown represent the dunes of the desert, and staccato patches on the veil, the cracked desert riverbeds."