When you’re searching for a designer who is getting a lot of press with their new takes on classic designs, you don’t need to look a moment longer.
This creative bright spark has a habit of creating new pieces as if by magic, all while still managing to pay homage to the original shape and form. So, what can we expect from him next? Let’s take a look at how Coetzee is helping to influence a whole new generation in South Africa.
A New Way of Seeing the World
One of the most incredible things about discovering a new designer is that they give you permission to expand your horizons. We think Gert-Johan certainly falls into this category, not least of all because of his hyper-contemporary take on classic formal wear.
His ability to change key details while staying true to the original overarching concept is something that we simply have to champion. It’s a skill which is so much more subtle and nuanced than simply deconstructing and rebuilding.
What we’re seeing is a new world in which each element is given a voice and allowed to take the spotlight like never before. The result is a range of pieces that look like an eclectic ensemble that has been refined, shaped, and honed in a way that truly does speak to the heart.
Just what’s needed when you want to be able to escape the status quo and find a new way of understanding how you relate to the concepts we’re all so familiar with.
Understanding Static Limitations
The beauty of deciding that you want to change the way in which you see the world is that you give yourself the chance to discover a new sense of connection. The delicate interplay between the myriad elements in Coetzee’s designs is something that has to be seen with the naked eye to be fully appreciated.
Each element has the ability to captivate and to amaze, and yet it’s the way in which they combine into a finished piece that really sets the tone for the overall look. You only have to take a closer look at some of his signature ball gowns to get a real sense of what we’re talking about here.
The way in which he allows the figure of the wearer to feel like it is secondary to the natural lines of the fabric is a true joy. You might just find yourself falling in love with some of his designs and saving up to try and hire him for a couture piece if you’re not careful!
A Dive into the Unexpected
From humble beginnings to the superstar designer he is today, this is a man who has been on something of a rollercoaster journey. Passion and style are his hallmarks, and yet there is something missing when we focus only on these elements. He has that certain type of mercurial talent that is impossible to put your finger on, and yet you know it instantly from the moment you lay eyes on it.
Imagine being able to see age-old designs and classic touches of style through a new lens for the very first time. This is the experience of a designer who allows you to see things differently in a way that is impossible for words alone to do justice.
They make pieces of art that seem to come out of the sky and land on the clothes rail that stands in front of you, and it feels effortless. This authentic expression of artistic merit is where Coetzee comes into his own like few other designers his age.
His ability to understand why we feel a connection to certain garments is a rare gift, and it’s one that we all need to cherish while it lasts. While his creative genius burns bright right now, there are too many stories of precocious designers who seem to fade out a little further into their journey.
We hope this will never happen in this case, but if it does, we will have been treated to something of a masterpiece in more ways than one. Perfect when you want to be able to fully appreciate a unique creative outlook that allows you to see the world in a whole new light.
What Does it all Mean?
Fashion is about seeing a new way of looking at the world so that you can understand what it means to be human. The key is to break out of the groove you’re currently in and to find new perspectives and interpretations.
Once you decide you’re going to set out on this path, the destination will always be worth the journey. Perhaps the only issue is that getting started can often sound like a task that is easier said than done.
Sometimes opening your eyes and looking a little further afield is all it takes to connect with a new way of living your life. Turning off Netflix, closing down your online casino game, or logging off of Facebook will allow you to go in search of something with a much deeper meaning.
Take a look online and you will find that designers like Gert-Johan Coetzee have changed the way they go about trying to capture the imagination. These are designers who are not so much about focusing on extravagance as they are committed to changing the narrative.
The Final Word
With beautiful gowns becoming the norm at the AFRIMA awards, Coetzee has managed to steal the spotlight from more seasoned designers over and over again.
His passion for fashion burns bright, his ideas are truly unique, and the creativity that runs through his veins is something we should all treasure. No matter how long he remains at the summit, we should all do nothing more than stand back and enjoy the view he has created.
