This debut collection, called ‘Saudade’, is a word derived from Portuguese and describes the feeling of longing, melancholy, or nostalgia pertaining to poetry or music.
I was a sassy 6 year old, kitted out in a pink dungaree, white tee and LA Gears, one of the trendiest sneakers of the 90’s. Here I was on career day with a clipboard, paper and crayon… drawing clothes. Fast track 2 decades and a bit later and I am launching my first ever local collection in memory of my late seamstress gran, Winnie Sophia Stone Pretorius. My gran was so dearly loved in the community and known for sewing, as she’d say: “from pope to prostitute.” My heart still aches a million times at her memory and thus the reason I dedicate my first collection to her.
This debut collection, called ‘Saudade’, is a word derived from Portuguese and describes the feeling of longing, melancholy, or nostalgia pertaining to poetry or music. I’ve been trumped by emotion throughout the creative process to say the least and thus wrote a poem that I share further down in this post. Creating is where I feel most vulnerable, most myself and so this experience has served as closure for me …I needed to do this as a form of closure.
This collection took just over 2 months to complete, from brainstorming and mood-boarding to fabric sourcing and tons of fashion consults with my cousin fashion designer cousin, Meagan Johnson. Then came model scouting, finding a suitable location, booking a photographer, calling in favours from friends and the rest at this stage is history. I have been patient which is not commonplace for me but I’ve allowed the time it needed to take to put all of this together. On that note, I’d like to extend a special thanks to Mishqah Snyders, a special friend who helped, encouraged and showed up in word and in deed. Thank you to Meagan Johnson, my first cousin who I’ve shared so much of this vision with, also the one who produced this collection with her blessed hands. Thank you to my husband for loving me through the madness, ready to make lemonade when life gives us lemons. Thank you to my parents who jump at my requests because they’ve always understood just who I am. Thank you to models, Lee, Kayra, Naledi and Valentha – these girls were onboard, no questions asked and that says a lot. Thank you Lesley Anne of LAs Atelier, my special friend, who opened her heart and beautiful home to host us for the shoot, also assisting literally everywhere! Thanks to Mpho the photographer, his humility and talent surpassed my expectations. THANK YOU LORD for prophecies that was revealed during this time, for strength and the courage to do this because at one point I doubted that I wanted to follow through but here we are, launching a local collection.
This collection comprises of a mix of fluid textures – pigmented pu leathers and scuba as a base, lightly complimented by whites. A timeless collection, and whoever will own a piece from this collection, will own a piece of Saudade; a piece of the Winnie Pretorius legacy.
Here’s how I’ve styled it:
The Vanessa Shacket is a lightweight shirt-jacket that can be worn as a dress, as a coat, cinched at the waist or thrown over any ensemble. It works styled formally or casually, in Winter and Summer and it is my favorite from the collection!
Lee wears the Nicola sweater, also lightweight for spring and the high low hem with the side split offers up just enough for the bold mock-pocket detail to take center-stage. Wear the sweater over our Elizabeth shirt dress as styled here or with trusted denim jeans. Also a match to our Winnie wrap skirt and Naomi Bermuda shorts featured in this collection.
Create a casual co-ord, or sophisticated suit from our Bermuda shorts and shacket combination
(below)
The branded vest Naledi wears is a cropped style that can be worn as it is or over a dress, t-shirt or long sleeve on colder days, also available in Moss green. The versatility makes it a must have! The Winnie wrap skirt is a high waisted style accommodating the confident curvy girl as the cut is relaxed yet fitted.
Win this stylish Novodonna branded vest Naledi wears if you Subscribe to our Novodonna edit. CLICK HERE to opt in.
ATTRIBUTES: Fashion, Styling and Creative director: Donae Hargreaves
Fashion consultation & garment construction: Meagan Johnson (MJ&I Designs)
Make Up Artist & BTS: Mishqah Snyders
Photography and editing: Mpho Tolo
Models: Kayra Erasmus, Lee Tatchell, Naledi Nalane, Valentha Brighton
Location and contributer: Lesley Ann (LAs Atelier)