JUDI NEL, JUDITH ATELIER

While studying at Elizabeth Galloway Fashion Design School in Stellenbosch, Judi was taught to make beautiful sketches of all her garments before starting work. So when she started interning for Stefania Morland she couldn’t initially understand why they only had rough sketches to work with. ‘Throughout the process, Stefania would add or take away something from the drawing,’ she says. ‘When I started my own label I applied this – because you don’t always have the perfect image in your head.’

Judi is one of only three South African designers selected by the Department of Arts and Culture to showcase her Spring/Summer 2019 collection at Uganda Fashion Week. ‘I’ve been invited to a few international Fashion Weeks, but registration fees can be very expensive,’ she explains. It can cost anything from $125K to upwards of $300K to host a show at NYFC, says Vogue Business. ‘I’d love to do New York. I’ll get there, she says.’

Judi’s studio is located in picturesque Ceres, so it’s no surprise that she often looks to her surroundings for inspiration. ‘I like the way nature brings different colours together. For summer we’re going for the fresh linen, organic feel,’ she says. Ruffles, billowy trousers and intricate blue prints make for summer wardrobe MVPs (Most Valuable Players in basketballspeak) that can be styled in an endless array of ways.

Her advice to up-and-coming designers? ‘Don’t just start your own label after studying. You have no clue how difficult it is. Try to learn as much as possible from a local designer and learn about production. Be very passionate about what you’re doing. You have to work hard; it has to be your baby.’

We’ll be watching closely to see what this brand has up its beautifully puffed sleeves.