Wake up to a new fashion

Making it into SA Fashion Week is like breaking into a near-impenetrable fortress.

But, after just a year in fashion design, Pieter Burger, 23, and Carla Roos, 22, have accomplished this Herculean task with the ease and grace of a model on the catwalk.

The pair run Wake, which won the SA Fashion Week New Talent Search competition on Wednesday.

Their autumn/winter 2015 collection had a heavy emphasis on animal hide, said Burger, and was an attempt to explore the primitive side of human nature and give it a modern twist.

The judging panel - which included Tiaan Nagel, editor of the Sunday Times Fashion Weekly, and Annette Pringle of The Fashion Agent - was convened by trend analyst Dion Chang.

Said Burger yesterday: "This is a massive privilege, and it's an opportunity for us to take the brand to the next level and platform.

"It also allows us an opportunity to showcase [at Fashion Week] next year, and make the label more visible".

Burger said the reason he and Roos had triumphed where so many young 'uns had stumbled, was his extensive background in the industry.

Before becoming a clothes designer, he had worked as a stylist.

"It's difficult for young designers to get out there, but these competitions help.

"It also helps that I knew what it took to make the brand work and stay relevant," he said.

"You also need to know who you're designing for - be very specific."

He said they targeted "a slightly conservative person, but one who has a strong sense of style and is conscious about what they wear".

Fashion Week wraps tomorrow night, with labels including Naked Ape, Kat van Duinen, Ephymol, House of Olé, and Charthu still to show.