No longer mom making that matric dance dress

Flashy cars, corsets and waistcoats, designer jewellery and ringing cash registers are what many parents of matric pupils have been having to contend with in recent weeks.

But, despite reports of an imminent double-dip recession, some people are not complaining about forking out a small fortune to ensure that their child's matric dance is memorable.

A Johannesburg businessman, who spoke on condition of anonymity, spent over R50000 to make his daughter the "belle of the ball" at her matric dance.

"The dress was designed in Dubai and, of course, my daughter had to have Jimmy Choo shoes and matching accessories. I have no regrets about spending that amount of money because she looked so beautiful," he said.

"What's the point of working hard and earning well if you can't make your children's special events more special?"

Pietermaritzburg image consultant and make-up artist Mithal Brijmohan said that though many girls were choosing the Victorian look this year, subtle but expensive, bling - such as Swarovski crystals - was embedded in designer dresses to create a Hollywood look.

"One client wore a dress costing more than R15000. Girls no longer go to local dressmakers. Everyone wants a designer dress," he said.

Cape Town couturier Gavin Rajah has been "extremely busy" putting together "unique and out-of-this world" dresses to turn heads at matric dances. He described his clients as girls who wanted to make sure they were the best-dressed when they stepped out onto their high school's red carpet.

"It's almost like Oscar night for these young ladies - not about being flashy but about a dress that will have an impact," he said.

Rajah said many parents were willing to spend a lot of money, even if it was for only one night.

"For one design, we had to bring fabric from Paris," he added.

Durban fashion designer Lindiwe Khuzwayo said many of her clients were willing to travel from other parts of the country to Durban for consultations and fittings.

Khuzwayo said she believed looking good at their matric dance could help youngsters "get a better attitude to the exams".

Durban's Northwood Boys' High School deputy head boy Shamik Panday is still revelling in the glitz and glamour of his matric dance almost two months ago.

Panday wore a silver and grey ensemble by Carducci, the favoured choice of the night.

"Most of the boys chose Carducci with wing-collar shirts and waistcoats to match their partner's dress."

But eyes were not only on the fashion: "Lots of pupils arrived in flashy sports cars, such as Lamborghinis. Limousines are not the in thing right now. Some took it a step further and arrived in a helicopter and with a biker group," Panday said.

Hire-car firm Status Luxury Vehicles has been transporting excited teenagers in this year's most popular matric dance car, the Bentley convertible, which costs R8000 for a drop-off and pick-up on dance night.

"We dropped the price and everyone wanted to be seen in one," company spokesman Jason Bentz said.