This year Gert-Johan Coetzee is celebrating ten years of implementing his bursary program with the North West School of Design where one lucky applicant will get a chance to enrol in a 3-year fashion course and participate in two internship programs at the Gert-Johan Coetzee studios.
Hitting the ten-year milestone of the bursary program is a major achievement, and such an achievement is highlighted through the ventures of the past ten winners of the bursaries. From making a name for themselves in the fashion industry as assistant designers to owning and founding their very own lines, design hopefuls and fashion fledglings alike can look to these past winners as a token of inspiration.
His name is synonymous with the greatest personalities and influences of our time, and his heart is as big as his presence. Gert-Johan Coetzee is one man whose talents put him in high demand by fashion enthusiasts and celebrities alike. From dressing some of the most recognised and powerful people like Oprah Winfrey, Zozibini Tunzi, and Kourtney Kardashian just to drop a few names, his craftsmanship, creativity, and hard work have seen him soar to heights unimagined. Still in his pursuit to excel and continue being an inspirational national treasure, Coetzee founded and partnered up with the North West School of Design in 2009 to establish a bursary program that now celebrates its 10-year anniversary.
READ: It’s time to cast your votes, the GQ Best Dressed Awards are back
For the 2023 academic year, Gert has once again opened the chance for 1 lucky design hopeful to apply for the bursary with the aim to develop and nurture South African talent in the fashion field and allow students the opportunity to start lucrative careers in the space. The chosen candidate will study for 3 years with the North West School of Design and will be required to enrol in 2 internship programs each year during recess at the Gert-Johan Coetzee studios.
“The reason I ignited the program is that I noticed how there are so many great bursary programs out there that offer immense knowledge and it simply just ends there. That information is never followed through into the workforce and that is the reason I wanted my bursary program to be different and more focused on the internship that I offer. The student not only gets to study where I studied and familiarise themselves with the foundation that I received, but they also get the opportunity to come to my studio in Bryanston to experience the practical side of design execution, the creative processes around it as well as the grit it takes to run a fashion business.”
Who can apply:
Matriculants interested in pursuing a career in fashion are welcome to apply given that the below pre-requisites are met:
- Applicants must be South African citizens
- Applicants must be fluent and be able to write English
- Applicants must have completed matric or are currently in their matric year.
How to apply:
Hopefuls can apply for this momentous opportunity through the Gert Johan-Coetzee website: HERE
Winners will commence their first semester in January 2023 at the North West School of Design and hopefuls are encouraged to submit their applications before the official closing date.
