WeAre | The Art of Collaboration FashionFil – FESCH.TV

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DIRECTOR: Paula Zapata
Original Score: Johan Viljoen
Script writer: Johann Smith

The Art of Collaboration
The Story of a Synergistic Shoot in Paris, the City of Lights
CAPE TOWN – A few months ago, a beautiful project unfolded in and around Paris. It
happened in the month of May, a time synonymous with pleasant weather – more
specifically, from the 23 rd to the 25 th of May. What follows here is an ode to all the
collaborators.
‘It is about fellowship and the unity of brands which share a common vision and mission to
contribute their strengths and create something grander than one brand could do alone. It’s like
fitting all of the pieces of a puzzle together to make something larger than the sum of its parts.’
– Stephen Van Eeden
Every photoshoot, as we all know, requires a specific subject – a muse if you will ­­– typically
clad in designer attire dreamt up by an artist. Tasked with capturing them is a photographer
with the skills and eye to illuminate both. But that is merely the final step.
What transpires before these final moments are a sequence of events that are essential for the
culmination of the final product. Each event is orchestrated by a handpicked individual or team
of individuals without whom the masterpiece would be incomplete.

Our story begins with a Creative Team: Stephen Van Eeden, Christine Le Roux, Paula Zapata and
Katerina Meyvial, responsible for the Creative Direction and Apparel along with MMXMS
(@stephen_van_eeden & @mmxms_clothing), Photography Direction
(@christinelrphotography), Cinematography Direction (@pz_visualcontent) and Coordination
and Planning (@katerinameyvial), respectively.

Setting the scene, while honouring the talent and brands involved, required an enchanting
location… The chosen destinations were the scenic streets of Paris and the captivating Chateau
de la Houssière – an elegant, exquisitely restored countryside estate located in the heart of Brie
region, just an hour’s drive east of Paris.
The muse of this photoshoot was Namibian beauty, Chanique Rabe (@chani.rabe) ­– Miss
Supranational 2021 (@misssupranational) and the first woman to bring this international crown
to Africa, the Motherland. Her hair and make-up were in the talented hands of Paris-based
stylist Alesia Solo (@alesiasolo_muah). Cosmetics used were from the French luxury house, Dior
via Dior Beauty South Africa (@diorbeauty, @diorbeautylovers @armine_a.sa &
@anina_schalekamp).
Adorning Chanique was sensational jewellery from Stonz Diamonds (@stonz.diamonds) and
Viljoen Jewellers (@viljoenjuweliers) while Christine’s Atelier Millinery (@christinesatelier),
based in Lekki, Nigeria, produced the most exquisite avant-garde inspired hats – the art of
millinery at its finest. A bejewelled headpiece was also envisioned and brought to life by Reliér
design (@relier.design) – one-of-a-kind accessories handmade by Chantel Wirth.
Handbags, resortwear and eyewear were splendidly sorted by Xyza Savanna (@xyzasavanna)
and OZBOB EyeART (@ozbob_za) – the former, a design studio focused on slow fashion and
interior design, the latter renowned for embellished sunglasses and eyewear accessories.
Elevating the entire experience were proudly South African delicacies and Méthode Cap
Classique (MCC) – by Marnella Macaron Artistry (@marnella_macarons) and Simonsig Wine
Estate (@simonsigwines), respectively. Another destination connection, of course, the
macaron, was invented in France and MCC is produced using the same classic process as
Champagne which entails creating a second fermentation in the bottle.
On the coordination front, organiser extraordinaire ­Katerina Meyvial was assisted by fabulous
fashion designer Amberlea Van Vianen (@amberlea_0), currently based in Toulouse, as well as
the Stephen Van Eeden Atelier studio assistants Aqueelah Mohammed and Annette Grobler.
Taking care of all the journey logistics was Lyndill Cilliers (headquartered in Somerset Wes)
from Travel Counsellors (@travelcounsellors) – an indispensable part of our travels.
Helping us share our story is Publication Partner ASA MAGAZINE (@asa_magazine_) – Fashion,
Luxury, Entertainment with an African Edge – led by none other than Founder Reynold Agge, an
enigmatic entrepreneur that hails from Edo State, Nigeria.