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Savanah Gerber

Nelson Mandela University

Hello, my name is Savanah Gerber, and I am born and raised in Gqeberha (formerly known as Port Elizabeth) in South Africa. I recently graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Fashion Design at Nelson Mandela University, and I am now studying further to obtain my Honors Degree in Fashion Design, also at Nelson Mandela University. For my future career, I hope to gain experience and knowledge so that I may one day start my own brand. In the research i did for this competition, I discovered a lot of information that has changed my perspective in fashion, and has made me consider using sustainable and ethical practices for future works where it is possible and that sustainability can easily be achieved as long as it is considered in every step of the design process.

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'Natural Summer' by Savanah Gerber

Category: Apparel

Competitions: Fashion Competition 2025

Hello, My name is Savanah Gerber, I am a fashion design student that is currently pursuing an honours degree at Nelson Mandela University in South Africa. For my fashion apparel entry, I will be presenting a concept titled “Natural Summer”, in which I aim to reinvent summer for the everyday consumer. The idea behind the design was to create a garment that is functional and stylish but is not so extravagant that it becomes unwearable. The design’s simplicity allows versatility so that it can be worn by all ages and styled according to their personal taste. This simplicity supports easy marketing and creates opportunities for alternative variations of the design to be considered. One of my key goals when designing the garment is to ensure that, if it were to be produced on a large scale, that it would be affordable for many buyers. Sustainable fashion is not accessible to everyone due to the high cost associated with it– which is a result from cost of natural materials, and environmentally friendly production practices as they are not yet the standard in the industry. During my research, I was particularly influenced by Karl Aspelund’s The Design Process, where he discusses the importance of working within consumer culture to promote sustainability as a far more successful choice than protesting the culture itself. This insight shifted my perspective and helped define what kind of garment I want to create. For the fabric, I have chosen a hemp and organic cotton blend which creates a light linen-like material, making it ideal for summer or spring seasons. The fabric is breathable, comfortable, and environmentally conscious. Hemp is sustainable because of its for its fast growth and low usage of water, while organic cotton uses alternate methods of farming by eliminating the use of harmful pesticides, making it a safer and more eco-friendly alternative.

In association with Arts Thread

Working with our partners at Arts Thread to develop lifelong learning and career opportunities for students of fashion and design. Our partnership provides the opportunity to compete on a world stage, participate in industry led workshops, set up an outstanding portfolio and gain access to the resources that will kickstart careers in fashion and design.