Fashion Icon, Gavin Rajah joins the Paris elite
As you already know Represent is a big supporter of local talent and we track them down anywhere in the world! Like our very own Gavin Rajah who showed his Spring /Summer collection last week during Paris Fashion Week at the Cercle de l’Union Interalliée to a VIP audience of celebrities, dignitaries, media and fashion buyers. He’s also doing his bit for charity so that’s a big pat on the back from us!
UNICEF and Rajah announced their partnership in championing the rights of children and in particular their development and protection. Having achieved local international success, Rajah felt the time was right to give something back to the community. A percentage of all the Gavin Rajah clothing and accessory sales will be donated to UNICEF. Rajah joins celebrities such as David Beckham, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Robbie Williams, Sarah Jessica Parker, Yassou N’Dour and Roger Federer in their commitment to supporting UNICEF.
The Rajah collection was designed and created by a team of South Africans in his atelier in Cape Town. Gavin Rajah was inspired by the eclecticism and oriental occidentalism of the 1970’s, reflecting the Maharishi cults of that era, when new-age thinkers flocked to the Far East in search of the meaning of life. Rajah played with proportions and volume in a new way. Rather than an obvious use of masses of fabric, Rajah created volume by cutting on the bias and layering fabrics, which add volume and mystery; complemented by the use of hosiery. The collection, alive with colour, proportion and rituals, reflected psychedelic reverie.
Rajah joined forces with Cameo, South Africa, to manufacture unique hosiery that adds to the mood of the collection.
Bamboo linens have been laminated with a metallic finish together with silk mousselines and finely beaded tulles and laces, ranging from almost Baroque detailing to earlier Gothic. Exotic skins such as crocodile and ostrich add intrigue, mystery and an edge to the collection.
Despite his international success, Rajah remains true to his South African roots and will bring his couture collection back to share with South Africans at the Audi Joburg Fashion Wek on the 17th February 2007.The Gavin Rajah store is now open at Cavendish Square, Cape Town (Ground Floor, next to Mugg and Bean)
