MAAK it happen: Canberra’s go-getter designer
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To say that Charnè Esterhuizen is a go-getter is a true understatement.
Although she’s only lived in Australia for about six years, Charnè has styled a wonderful and wildly busy life around her love of fashion. She’s soon to graduate from the Canberra Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Design (Fashion Design) and has already started her own label, MAAK. She showcased her designs on the catwalk at Fashfest 2014 but also took the catwalk herself as model at the event, wearing garments launched by no fewer than six other designers.
[pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8vhVXoshY94/VBl0-NnIDtI/AAAAAAAAJEQ/bZdD6oe3CNM/s144-c-o/Drawings%252520of%252520fingerprints%252520on%252520garments%252520by%252520CE_n.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/108454826374315674707/MAAKSomethingCanberraSGoGetterDesigner#6060003385758191314″ caption=”Drawings of fingerprints on garments by Charne” type=”image” alt=”Drawings of fingerprints on garments by CE_n.jpg” pe2_single_image_size=”w614″ pe2_caption=”1″ pe2_img_align=”center” ]
And she created the innovative piece worn by the Fire Queen at the National Portrait Gallery’s inaugural Fire&Ice winter festival.
MAAK means “to make something” in Charnè’s native language, Afrikaan. Born in South Africa to parents who have always been in business for themselves, Charnè, at 21 years of age, is destined to follow the same path. She’s chomping at the bit to graduate so she can concentrate on fully developing MAAK as a sustainable business.
Business cards? Tick. Facebook page? Tick. Garment labels? Ordered. Website with retail store? Being developed. Clothing orders? Trickling in from the piece Charnè created for Fashfest and pieces she has designed as part of her studies. It’s all going according to plan.
“My dream was to become an international model, but my height stopped me from following that career,” says Charnè, who started modelling when she was 10. “When I arrived in Canberra I discovered CIT and decided to branch into fashion.”
The MAAK aesthetic explores personal identity. “I created a ‘third-gender garment’ for Fashfest, representing people who don’t classify themselves as male or female,” says Charnè. “And for CIT I’ve created concept drawings using finger prints as a design element.”
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“I wouldn’t say I’m a trendy person, but I love to design unique pieces, and out of fabrics that are smooth and shape nicely on the body and aren’t itchy or uncomfortable to wear,” she says.
“I’m still conducting consumer research to determine precisely where my label will go.”
In the meantime, Charnè is having a blast and enjoying being able to experiment with design. Her Fashfest piece was part of a CIT Graduate segment held at the 2014 event, to celebrate the next generation of Australian fashion professionals. These designers were given a platform at Fashfest to test experimental concepts for their graduating collections.
“I created a white undergarment of cotton stretch fabric that had layers representing different personalities,” says Charnè.
“There was the shoulder layer, the half-shoulder layer and the arm layer, which I cut in half to create movement. I also cut a rectangular piece out of the back, which added excitement. You could see it in the audience’s reaction.”
[pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3NqmJUdnu2Y/VBl0-5oOiPI/AAAAAAAAJEo/AmCX5pJKhsk/s144-c-o/White%252520undergarment%2525202_FF%2525202014_n.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/108454826374315674707/MAAKSomethingCanberraSGoGetterDesigner#6060003397573970162″ caption=”White Undergarment, FASHFEST 2014.” type=”image” alt=”White undergarment 2_FF 2014_n.jpg” pe2_single_image_size=”w614″ pe2_caption=”1″ pe2_img_align=”center” ]
The undergarment appeared on the catwalk twice. Once on its own and a second time with a piece worn over the top created out of fosshape, a unique composite material that when heat activated moulds to the body. Fosshape is often used for theatre, costumes, millinery and even in puppetry. Charnè then added another layer of dramatic complexity to the look by creating a pitch black hand-made mask to which she added mesh, studs and chains.
Even though an international career is off the cards, Charnè is still modelling. She is signed with Canberra’s newest modelling agency, HAUS Models, and recently did a photo shoot with another HAUS Model, Melissa Swann, wearing sensational swimwear designed by a fellow CIT graduate, Erin Spain, of label Ziyah.
[pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yOxrybfRlpY/VBl0-WDQvbI/AAAAAAAAJEc/SdMH8D5XLsY/s144-c-o/Charne%252520as%252520HAUS%252520Model_Photo%252520by%252520Red%252520Photography_Swimwear%252520Ziyah.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/108454826374315674707/MAAKSomethingCanberraSGoGetterDesigner#6060003388023684530″ caption=”Charne as HAUS model. Photo: Red Photography. Swimwear: Ziyah” type=”image” alt=”Charne as HAUS Model_Photo by Red Photography_Swimwear Ziyah.jpg” pe2_single_image_size=”w614″ pe2_caption=”1″ pe2_img_align=”center” ]
Being a model and designer is a perfect fit and the two roles complement one another beautifully. As a designer, Charnè enjoys the excitement of seeing her garments brought to life on the catwalk and as a model she enjoys the thrill of interpreting other designers’ work and bringing it to life.
This month Charnè is working with fashion design graduates to host a model casting at Canberra Outlet Centre (19 September, 6pm to 9pm), which the public is invited to watch. The graduates will work with the models, as well as hair and makeup creatives and photographers to build their portfolio.
And even though Charnè’s life is packed to the rafters, she’s going to have to squeeze in extra time in the coming weeks to complete her application for Fashfest 2015.
Life is good for Charnè, who arrived here from South Africa barely speaking English. Her dad gave up everything to come to this country, so his family could have a life that is calm and safe.
“I love the creative industry here,” she says. “Everyone is so supportive.”
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