The 14th issue of the South African free magazine, Voila, was pulished this week. And on the cover is the current Miss South Africa, the very beautiful Melinda Bam. I very seldom feature local mag spreads and stories. But this one I love. For me, it is the perfect combination of twisted freaky fashion and classic beauty. I love the concept. And I had to find out some more about it from the photographer, Steve Marais, who came up with the concept together with stylist Jessica Lupton, for Gaschette.

I asked Steve what it was like to work with Melinda — and whether she got all diva on him. Blah. Apparently she was perfectly behaved. So much so that Steve was all gushy about how her presence filled the room the minute she walked into it. And he is a cynical bastard usually.

As I have already picked up from Melinda's current reign, she has a very clear idea of what it means to be Miss SA, and how she is going to fulfill this role. Strength of character and a great eye for fashion seem to be hallmarks of her time in the sash already.

Apparently all these guys (who provided the golden hands) were put into very awkward positions to get the shots just right. With much stretching and twisting of bodies — and all the associated cramping — they got the shots they had plotted out very carefully ahead of the shoot.

I am told that Melinda took the whole thing incredibly well — like a trooper — even when she had a myriad of strange painted hands all over her. And if that isn't a mark of a real Beauty Queen — smile and wave through the pain — I don't know what is.

Stylist assistant was Sheena Bagshawe (a young stylist I have my eye on) and the make up was done by Stefanie Payendee. Hair was by Laura Kingma. Thula Sindi, Avant Apparel, Black Coffee and KLuK CGDT provided the clothes — all SA designers. While Browns, Jewel Africa and Thomas Sabo provided the jewels. Well played everyone.