Learner’s ‘DFA gown’ a winner

A WHIMSICAL gown, fit for a princess and crafted from approximately 30 DFA newspapers, earned Northern Cape High (NCH) School learner Daynah Smith first place in a recycling fashion design competition held during the annual Mr and Miss NCH 2024/25 pageant.

Daynah, a Grade 11 learner, and her peers were tasked with creating fashion designs using recycled materials. She explained that it took about a week, from the planning stages to the final product, to complete her gown.

While Daynah initially had doubts about whether her choice of recycled material would suit her design, she was ultimately pleased with the outcome.

“I drew inspiration from an image on Pinterest and envisioned a dress that combined a corset with the elegance of a princess-style long skirt,” she said. “At first, I wasn’t sure how to bring the concept to life, but I sought advice from my mother and did additional research on Pinterest.

“It took about a week from the planning and designing stages to the creation of the end product. Through experimentation and perseverance, I was able to achieve the whimsical flow I desired, with the help of my mother. The outfit truly speaks for itself and represents my unique style.”

To make her gown stand out, Daynah incorporated other recyclable materials.

“I got creative with my dress by using surgical wrap as the base for the dress, and then folded and layered newspaper cones on top, securing them with stitching and glue to ensure the skirt wouldn’t fall apart on the runway,” she explained.

“I also added velcro to the skirt as a replacement for a zipper, ensuring it could be easily removed without tearing. For the corset, I used T-shirt strips to lace up the back.”

Reflecting on her win for best design, Daynah described the experience as surreal.

“Everyone’s designs were amazing, and I loved seeing how each person’s personality came alive through their designs. When I was announced as the winner, I was initially taken aback. Once it sunk in, I was overwhelmed with joy and emotion. Winning was unimaginable, and I felt grateful that people recognised and appreciated my creativity.

“Hearing my name shouted from the crowd was a surreal moment - I felt honoured to be among such talented people. For me, it wasn’t just about winning; it was about the people who believed in me and recognised my art and my skills.”

Looking ahead, Daynah is eager to continue exploring her creative passions.

“My goal is to push beyond my comfort zone, build confidence, and continue discovering myself. I want to inspire others to face their fears, try new things, and spread a message of hope - even when it feels like no one believes in you. I want to remind people that there’s always someone cheering you on,” she said.

A teacher at NCH, Bronwen Muler, said she wanted to challenge the learners and let them showcase their talent through the recycling competition.

“We have our annual Mr and Miss NCH pageant and this year we decided to incorporate the recycled material fashion design competition into that event. The recycling fashion design was a separate category from the pageant. We wanted to give learners, who might not feel brave enough to walk the runway during the pageant, an opportunity to feel part of the event and showcase their talents, said Muller.

“Over the years, we’ve seen Grade 11 learners demonstrate leadership skills, and it’s important to highlight their excellence in various aspects, not just academics. It was wonderful to see what the learners came up with and their designs were all amazing. Their creativity truly shone through each of their designs.”