Say hello to Chandre Goosen, aka Lady G.
Chandre Goosen, who resides in Cape Town, is currently one of 50 women competing for the title of Mrs South Africa 2020, but beyond the pageantry world she boasts a big passion for fashion, cars and radio, and hopes to one day add TV presenter to her resume.
She lives by the motto “Just do it” which rings true for someone who is on the go 24/7. ‘Chandre and Co’ is just one of her business ventures that occupies her time and efforts on a daily basis, but there’s more to Chandre than meets the eye.
Emphasy! sat down with Chandre in an all exclusive interview and found out more about Chandre and what keeps her busy,
What makes the fashion industry one you enjoy?
I truly love the creative side of the fashion industry and seeing ideas come to life. I love that fashion is an expression of your inner self which you can express through clothing, colours, patterns, designs and so much more.
What do you personally love most about ‘Chandre and Co’ products?
The vintage look and feel of my brand, the fact that my brand portraits the “fearless woman” – it is not corporate, but is rather sassy and sporty with a hint of class.
What makes your products unique?
The fact that each garment has been handpicked and selected by myself, the CEO.
Your designs have already been seen in Zara stores in London. What would you say is one of your long-term goal?
To have my own store in each country of the fashion world… One of my top goals is to be the first fashion designer in SA to hit the floor in duty-free stores across the UK, SA,EU and the US.
Tell us more about your designs and patterns – how do you come up with these?
It can be quite a lengthy process as you need to find skilled individuals who can successfully master the art of fashion making. I love being able to sketch an idea, which would then be passed on to a pattern maker who has the technique and skill in cutting the exact sketch for production, and then seeing the final result of the original idea come to life.
You run ‘Chandre and Co’ as a part-time job amongst being a mom, Mrs SA contestant more – how do you balance work and your personal life?
By prioritising each to its own valued time and by focusing on each brand element as if it’s the only brand you have. This is without including my new brand that has hit the South African watch market, Berht Swiss Made Design Watches by Olof Abraham Joubert, who is also my husband.
Who would you describe as your primary market for ‘Chandre and Co’?
Chandre and Co is designed for your everyday, sophisticated, yet on-the-go kind of mom, that still believes that she can be sexy and rebellious whilst doing her every day duties as well as doing what she loves.
What life lesson have you learnt from being in the fashion industry?
That each collection should be your own; each collection should inspire you and bring out your own unique personality and style. Stay true to yourself no matter what.
What are your hopes for this brand?
That we will be recognized globally and make it on to the cover of a Vogue Magazine. I want my brand to be known as a “fearless & sassy” brand, bringing a new sense of fashionable hype to the world.
If you could align your brand with any celeb, who would it be and why?
It would be Nicole Capper – she is the epitome of what the brand stands for and does everything with pride and high morals.
You’re also working on a brand called La Fiora – tell us a bit about this?
La Fiora is a saved rose that gets freezed at a temperature of -5 degrees. This ensures that the rose is preserved in its natural state and own texture. There are 112 colours available to choose from and it is a special type of gift that one will remember forever. The rose lasts up to 18 months with no water.
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