Gert Johan Coetzee offers fashion bursary

Acclaimed South African fashion designer Gert Johan Coetzee is not afraid of competition: the designer is offering a three-year bursary in fashion design to the most talented mind he can find.

One person will be awarded with a bursary at the North West School of Design, where Coetzee himself studied, to study fashion design. The bursary is worth R80 000 (it includes tuition fees and study material).

Coetzee says this is the second time he's running the initiative.

"Last year it was very quiet," says Coetzee. "We had about 1 000 candidates. This year we thought we'd open it up to a wider variety of people and have as many people as possible participate."

Applicants are required to submit three sketches under the theme 'Vintage Alive!'. The names, ages and races of applicants will be removed from their entries before they get to Coetzee, who will choose his top 10 based purely on the work submitted.

Coetzee says: "We can give this opportunity to someone deserving."

The winner will also intern at Coetzee's studio.

Entries close on 21 October 2011.

Entrance requirements:

• Entrants must have a matric certificate OR currently be in matric

What to submit:

• 3 sketches keeping to the theme 'Vintage Alive!'
• Fabric samples and visuals of inspiration CAN be added
• A short CV
• Latest statement of results
• A motivational essay (300 words minimum)

Where to submit:

• POST: Gert Johan Coetzee, NWSD, PO Box 10457, Klerksdorp, 2570
• DELIVER: Gert Johan Coetzee, NWSD, Suite 3,4,5, Oudorp Pharmacy Complex, 1B Joe Slovo Road, Oudorp Klerksdorp.

The winner will be selected in November 2011.