Swarovski selects first South Africa brand ambassador

He made headlines recently when Kelly Rowland boasted on social media platform Instagram about wearing a beaded black Gert-Johan Coetzee gown at a gala event in Beverly Hills, California.

Swarovski Elements is the premium brand for the finest crystals manufactured by Swarovski and has been the designer's choice since the company was founded in 1895. The "Made with Swarovski Elements" label on a dress signals authenticity and the highest standards of crystal design and

Coetzee cannot wait to add the distinctive swing tag to selected GJC garments. "My passion has always been for high-glamour and sparkle and I can't think of a better partner to take GJC couture to the next level of opulence. It is a great honour to have been chosen to officially bring the brand into the spotlight in South Africa. Armani embellished Princess Charlene from Monaco's wedding gown with 40 000 crystals... let me see if I can beat that!"

Coetzee is already working on a launch collection embellished with Swarovski Elements and promises to make every effort to impress. "I love the brilliant crystal colours and, coming from a country with a vast mineral treasure chest below our soil, I am designing with a very specific mineral-inspired colour palette in mind.

Aside from a high-concept couture collection, Coetzee also plans to bring the purity of the crystal to more affordable ready-to-wear garments. "I will show that it is not just for bold eveningwear and gorgeous bridal gowns, but can add a fun yet sophisticated twist to daywear too."

"Coetzee's footprint as a talented and popular designer with a passion for making women look like shining stars, is very attractive to the company. We look forward to working together to show South Africa the beauty of Swarovski Elements," says Jesus Lopez, market development manager for Swarovski.