South African finalist from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology: Eileen Booysen

Eileen Booysen is a design student at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, and one of the South African finalists in the 2008 Triumph Inspiration Awards. Encouraged by family and friends to pursue a career in fashion design, Booysen constantly challenges her creativity by exploring innovative design concepts as she prepares to enter the world of fashion design.

Booysen says that the key to success in this highly competitive industry is finding the balance between originality and commercial appeal. Fashion needs to connect with the relevant target markets on a personal level, ensuring that your garment goes from nice-to-have to need-to-have.

Seeing the Triumph Inspiration Award as a high profile competition offering local emerging talent a platform to shine in the international arena, Booysen couldn’t pass up the opportunity. Putting her mind on the challenge, Booysen began thinking about the theme “female fascination” and what it meant to her. Trying to encapsulate the essence of a woman in her design and all the elements that bring out the best in us, Booysen based her design on memories – all of the moments in our lives that essentially make us the people that we are today. Taking this idea even further, Booysen’s design focuses on childish innocence and the fond memories we all have growing up. Booysen believes that texture and fabric is what sets her design apart, making her lingerie unique and special.

Having an appreciation for many different designers, Booysen says that she aspires to make her mark next to those who choose the road less traveled. Designers who take risks and constantly push the boundaries of design creativity.