This is not our first donation for 2018, but at this point in time it is our biggest!
Corné Rademeyer, owner of the fashion label “Closet Queen”, contacted me in October 2017. He had a few items of clothing he wished to donate to The Angel Gown® Initiative. The problem was he is situated in Jefferey’s Béay and I don’t have collection points near him.
As TAGI is still so small we still have a great need for transportation, and so we had to wait. And then at long last his bestie and her husband (Nicky and Grant) was making a trip to the Western Cape! We were both very excited to get the garments here – and by now my curiosity was already all over the show!
And then as I was busy fiddling on our new website my phone rang… it was Nicky! They were going to pass literally by Gordon’s Bay on their way to their next stop and we quickly made arrangements where to meet. I quickly gathered my things, got into the car and we all pulled in at the designated stop within 2 minutes of each other.
As Nicky was on a tight schedule it was just a very quick hello, I got my bag full of TAGI goodness, a hug and off they went again. I did manage to say thank you before they left! The 10 minute ride home felt way too long, but at last I got home. In the door and then inspection began, taking out each garment one at a time, admiring all the detail and already envisioning the Angel Gown® garments I’m going to make from them.
The first wedding gown is in a white duchess satin in a ballgown style with a chapel length train decorated in covered buttons. Hand beading paired with a contrasting maroon embroidery and piping around the sweetheart neckline finishes off this wedding gown.
The second wedding is also in a white duchess sating, ballgown style, chapel length train with a straight off-the-shoulder neckline. The beading on this gown is exquisite, and it was all done by hand – from the bodice, to the full skirt to all the detail on the train – absolutely breathtaking! It is finished off with lace-up closure in the back.
The third wedding gown, once again in duchess satin, is done in a grey hue, with silver trim and grey trimmings. It is a two piece style; the corset has lace detail and hand finishings, while the A-line skirt has lace trim around the hem and other scattered detail on the body. The whole ensemble is pulled together with a bolero jacket finished with a striking collar.
Also in the bag of wonder was other odds and ends. Two corsets, one with lots of detail and another with a more simplistic look, a cream skirt with an organza overlay, a white cotton fabric that will serve as lining and another big piece of satin in a dark blue.
Thank you Nicky and Grant for bringing it along on your trip and getting it to me, much appreciated. And a huge thank you to Corné for generously donating all of these gowns to us!
To date 20 Angel Gowns have been repurposed.
Eric Elronde and the TAGI team.
