The stand out show at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Cape Town 2013 yesterday was the 'Next Generation' show by Lara Klawikowski. This is what you attend a fashion week for. Done. Seriously, I can go home now and not see another show this season and be happy. Lara is the real deal. I am eternally grateful that she not only lived up to my extremely high expectations of her, but exceeded them. You see Lara has travelled a tricky old fashion road and it is particularly gratifying to see what she accomplished on the ramp yesterday when you know that I refused to employ her not two years ago. Let me explain.

Lara is what I would call a fashion artist. She creates conceptual and avant garde pieces — often from unexpected materials like tyres and condoms — and makes them extraordinary and beautiful. I have followed her work, and admired her greatly. So when she realised that she was unlikely to make a living in SA doing this kind of thing, she decided to take some time off from design, take an internship in an ancillary field and work out what's next. She applied for a job with me. I said no. I explained that it would be the most hideous waste of talent and I refuse to let her do a job that isn't designing amazing things, no matter what the sacrifice. And it was a sacrifice for me too, you see, because Lara is lovely, smart, capable and efficient. She would have been the ideal employee. But when you have a talent such as hers, you HAVE to be true to it.

And so she found another way. She has created a 'commercial' collection. A collection that can be sold into boutiques and stores. A collection that stays absolutely true to her artistic bent, whilst also being able to be produced for these stores. And, to bring us back to the beginning, that is what you go to all the shows at fashion week for. For to see a collection like this. Fiercely unique and creative. A brilliant point of view that is unquestionably in the designer's handwriting. Exquisite workmanship. And a narrative that makes you slightly weepy.

Inspired by a visit to the blind school, Lara created works that are all about fashion as a function of touch and feel. The visceral need that the front row had to touch her pieces was testament to the fact that she succeeded in communicating this clearly. I am SO excited about Lara's future. One in which she can pay her bills, get the respect she deserves, and express herself and her vision for us all to appreciate. I can't wait to see it unfold. Congratulations.
Lara's show was supported by the Cape Town Fashion Council. So thanks to them too.
All photos courtesy of SDR Photo