All photos supplied by Kat Van Duinen. Follow @katvanduinen.official
BY Jeannie D
The Norval Foundation x Kat van Duinen Annual Fashion Show, “An Ode to Africa,” was the kind of event that makes you want to pause time, rewind, and do it all over again in slow motion. As MC for the evening, I had the best seat in the house… And yes, it came with a microphone. Kat and I go way back. We first met when she was still behind the camera lens, photographing my capsule collection launch for Foschini. Back then, she was the one wielding a camera but fast forward to the present, and she’s soaring high in the fashion stratosphere, creating pieces that are equal parts art and armour for the modern woman.
A Grand Entrance
Walking onto that stage, I was armed with a dazzling dress (Kat, of course) and an arsenal of witty one-liners. Then a parade of models swept down the runway, draped in Kat’s creations crafted in mohair, merino wool, ostrich feathers, and exotic leather skins. It was as if Africa herself had opened her wardrobe and let us all have a peek. Each look told a story – a love letter to the continent’s richness and resilience.
Ballet, but Make It Fashion And then there was the Cape Town City Ballet who pirouetted through Kat’s
luxurious landscapes with the kind of grace that made me question every dance move I’ve ever attempted at a wedding. The fusion of high fashion and ballet? Jeannieous! I had to resist the urge to leap onto the stage and join them.
Grub, Vine, and a Surprise I’ll Never Forget
The after-party by Grub & Vine was the cherry on top of an already over-the-top evening. The food? Sublime. The wine? Flowing. The company? A delightful mix of South Africa’s glitterati and some very fabulous and merry international guests. But the real highlight? Kat taking the mic during the after-party to thank me for “not running off with the collection.” Little did she know, I’d already slipped a feather or
two into my handbag for “research purposes.” A Night to Remember The Norval Foundation x Kat van Duinen collaboration continues to raise the bar for what African fashion can achieve. “An Ode to Africa” wasn’t just a show; it was a celebration of heritage, artistry, and the incredible talent of a dear friend. So, here’s to Kat, to the power of a perfectly timed joke, and to everyone who now knows I’m not afraid to rock a feather or two.
Follow @katvanduinen.official for more.
