A truly South African costume for Mrs World Pageant

3 November 2009

Chances look good for the gorgeous Mrs South Africa, Joani Johnson, to have the world at her feet at the Mrs World Beauty Pageant when she will be showing off her exquisite national costume made of ostrich leather and ostrich feathers in Vang Tau, Viëtnam on 22 November.

Each of the 79 participating beauties is required to wear a national costume at the Mrs World Pageant portraying her country of origin. Joani’s quest for her truly South African costume was easy. When she was crowned as Mrs South Africa, she wore an elegant yellow ostrich leather and ostrich feather outfit designed by Deon Oelofse. The beauty of this dress - made of uniquely South African material - convinced her that she need not look any further. She made up her mind: an ostrich leather and feather dress it shall be!

The South African Ostrich Business Chamber (SAOBC) commissioned Oelofse - who previously made a number of exclusive outfits for the Chamber – to also design Mrs South Africa’s national costume. It is an elegant turquoise costume with an African twist. The ostrich leather bodice is hand-beaded with wooden beads and swarovski crystals for extra glamour - it forms an interesting contrast with the long skirt made from more than 35 metres ostrich feather ruche.

Mr. Hennie Roets, on behalf of the SAOBC, also presented Mrs South Africa with a trendy handbag made of ostrich leather with a bronze-gold metallic finish - a gift to compliment her beauty.

“There is a strong international demand for South African ostrich leather. This exotic leather is especially popular due to its fine quality and its availability in more than 500 colours and various fashionable finishes.

“It is of great importance for the South African Ostrich Business Chamber to give young designers – both fashion and industrial designers – the opportunity to work with South African ostrich leather. We also endeavour to focus more on the younger market. With our ostrich leather sponsorships to young designers as well as design schools in Europe and Russia, new generation designers are getting exposed to this unique, timeless and versatile leather,” says Hennie Roets, chairperson: Board of Directors of the SAOBC.

“The sponsors of the ostrich leather and ostrich feathers for Mrs. South Africa’s national costume she will be wearing at the Mrs. World Pageant soon, are Scot and Ranchos las Plumas respectively. Both these companies are members of the SAOBC.

“With this sponsorship, the SAOBC wishes Mrs South Africa only the very best and that her uniquely South African costume will contribute to make her dream come true and that she will bring the crown back home,” says Hennie.

Source: South African Ostrich Business Chamber