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American rap superstar Cardi B has joined the long list of A-list celebs who have been dressed by top SA designer Gert-Johan Coetzee.
Celebrating her husband Offset’s 29th birthday on Tuesday, Cardi was spotted wearing a brown beaded skirt and corset by Gert-Johan, and if her Instagram post is anything to go by, she is clearly seriously impressed with the designer’s work.
“[Dressing] all these amazing international stars is completely beautiful for the South African story, because it shows you that it's not just the Trevor Noahs and the Zozibini’s who can make it internationally but fashion designers as well,” Gert-Johan tells us.
He’s been winning fashion competitions since he was six years old and started his own business when he was a teen. “It all started with little T-shirts, then, when I was 14, I went on to pants when I learnt to sew properly. It happened organically. I would just always pick up fabric and find a needle and thread.”
Celebrating his 10th year in the fashion industry, the designer says his favourite celeb he’s dressed has to be talk-show queen and media mogul Oprah Winfrey, who wore his designs in 2018 for the Global Citizen Festival.
“Oprah Winfrey has to be by far, the most humble person ever. She phoned me herself and told me that the girls at the Oprah Winfrey Academy gave her my number and asked that I give her options for the Global Citizen concert. I recently did a retrospective of all my most iconic works, and it wouldn't have been complete without Oprah's dress. It's always a highlight in the studio when we get a WhatsApp from Oprah!”
Here’s a look at some of the famous faces Gert-Johan has dressed over the years.
Mathew Knowles
When Beyonce's father visited South Africa in 2018, Gert-Johan dressed him for his appearance as a guest judge on Idols SA.
Zozibini Tunzi
Our very own Miss Universe 2020 attended the state of the nation address in February, wearing a yellow halter-neck gown.
Kourtney Kardashian
Kourtney stepped out at the People's Choice Awards in a fabulous Gert-Johan minidress in 2011.
Demi-Leigh Tebow
When crowning Miss Universe 2018, Demi-Leigh sparkled in a shimmering green and yellow dress by Gert-Johan.Minnie Dlamini Jones
Becoming Mrs Jones in 2017, Minnie had Gert-Johan design two glamorous dresses for her wedding.
Bonang Matheba
Bonang’s puffy pink gown she wore to her 30th birthday soiree in 2017 was Gert-Johan’s inimitable work.
