South Africa puts its prettiest foot forward

Twenty-six-year-old Adè van Heerden from the Western Cape will be representing South Africa against 123 other countries in the 67th Miss World competition that will take place at the Crown of Beauty Theatre in Sanya, China.

Van Heerden recently showed off her national costume as well as a gold dress designed by Roxanne Pengilly which she will wear at the official Miss World auction.

Van Heerden’s national costume has been designed by Matome Seshoka of Antherline Designs, who has been described as the master connoisseur of African couture. Her finale gown has been designed by Roxanne Pengilly, while Danielle Margaux is making the official Miss World Designer Competition outfit and Ciska Barnard has made Van Heerden’s cocktail wear.

“My team and I were inspired by Ndebele people who have an extraordinary culture and authenticity. They are the most colourful tribe and truly South African. We fused this with a bit of Zulu culture to give the national costume a modern and young feel,” said Seshoka.

Margaux, who is responsible for the Miss World Designer Competition gown, said: “The inspiration for the dress is the ocean, as South Africa is on the tip of Africa and surrounded by the sea, and both Adè and I are from the Western Cape. To make it more dreamlike and mythical, we are even taking inspiration from mermaid-like imaging. Soft, flowy, dreamy and fit for a princess!”

She continued: “The colours are what you would imagine and we are also bringing in a little bit of gold as we feel that our dress can be representative of the ‘green and gold’ that is associated with the national colours of South Africa. It is very subtle though.”

Van Heerden, a qualified doctor, is a second lieutenant in the South African Military Health Services and comes from the Western Cape. She will be doing a ribbon dance as part of the talent section at the Miss World pageant.

Van Heerden is delighted to be representing South Africa on the Miss World stage: “I could not have asked for a more incredible opportunity and I am determined to give it my all and to make our country proud. I look forward to sharing with the world my passion to protect and heal humankind,” she said.

Adè, who was the runner-up at this year’s Miss South Africa pageant, will compete at the Miss World stage as Miss World South Africa 2017. Miss South Africa 2017, Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters will be competing in the same month in the Miss Universe contest.

Have you seen sneak peaks of Adè’s dresses? Tell us what you think by tweeting to @Sandton_News