A pattern-maker by day and a ‘side-trepreneur’ by night, fashion designer Mieke Vermeulen made her mark in competitions such as the Elle Rising Star in 2013. A Design Indaba 2016 Emerging Creative and a 2015/2016 PPC Imaginarium Awards finalist, Vermeulen recently presented her new collection, Neo-Africana autumn/winter 2017 at the SA fashion week as part of the Sunglasses Hut New Talent Search competition. The collection explores South African traditions through illustrations.
“I wanted to create a fresh, playful South African look that is at the same time relatable and novel,” she says.
In merging the traditional and the contemporary, as well as cultural cues and design disciplines, Vermeulen reproduced a memorable painting by famed local artist Jacobus Hendrik Pierneef. She also incorporated the prints in her collection to support and promote local talent in a direct and practical way. She aimed to create a new and definitively South African look and feel.
Vermeulen also has recently released a collection of printed activewear which is available for purchase under her label Mieke.
