The brand is notorious for a loyal clientele that are purveyors of couture. Couture remains his passion and the atelier is famed for producing garments for discerning clients around themworld. The success of the brand has been built on a consistent standard of workmanship and creative excellence.
Every garment is made in house and only special pieces such as leather items are made out of the atelier. Largely inspired by music, theatre, literature and travel the collections are always a reflection of his experiences.
He designs and produces two eponymous couture collections, two transitional collections and two ready to wear collections a year. Most of the collections are sold to his existing client base before they even have the chance of being offered to others.
The brand is renowned for collaborating with creative industries to create innovative elements for their collections. The atelier has launched a new collection ‘Prêt À Vivre’ which is geared for export to selected stockists around the world and includes an interior range and amenities for home.
The brand is known for sourcing fabrics ethically and supporting vulnerable communities. Gavin uses the profile and visibility of the brand to create awareness for child right’s issues and UNICEF. Gavin Rajah remains passionate about training and assisting young talent and continues to use his atelier to impart knowledge to young designers.
The brand continues to evolve and adapt in it’s quest to remain one of the foremost luxury brands that comes out of Africa. COLLECTION INSPIRATION Memories of bygone summers, romances that were, the free-spirited lifestyle of the 1970’s and the music of Claudine Longet inspire this resort collection. This season we preface the collection with key swimwear pieces that the brand has become famous for.
Again the fluidity and Bond-like quality of the swimwear in the 70’s come to the fore. The collection is built on separates in soft fluid fabrication, cobweb filet cotton laces, Swiss broderie anglaise, dreamy floral prints, lush tulles, brocades and luxurious tweeds to ward of evening draughts. Chic, independent women with a quiet sexiness infuse the collection.
Pin tucks, folds, faggotting and pleats play a huge part in this collection with exceptionally intricate garment construction. Washed out colours echo the poignancy of memories reflected in old photographs together, with romantic florals that evoke the scents of summer bouquets juxtaposed with retro-geometric prints and metallics on swimwear. This collection once again is for the Rajah client – bold, assertive, ultra-feminine and very discerning.
AWARDS/ACCOLADES Gavin started and funded Cape Town Fashion Week, Durban Fashion Week and the Cape Town Flower Show.Invited by the Federation Française de la Couture to show in Paris in July 2006, which was a first for South Africa.
Listed in Vogue Italia, January 2013 edition, as one of 30 designers to watch around the worldConceptualised and initiated POSI+IVE for Sun International, the largest Pan African collaboration of art, fashion and music. Collaborating with Seal and John Legend amongst others to raise money for HIV/AIDS causes. Appointed by the United Nations as a UNICEF Ambassador for the work he has done to uplift the lives of vulnerable communities in South Africa, joining the ranks of Roger Federer, Shakira, Ricky Martin and Angelique Kidjo in working for children’s causes. Listed in FinWeek as one of the top 40 most influential leaders in the South Africa.
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