FIERCE, FEMME, CLASSY GAYS

Mambagirl.com: Girls who dress girls just like girls who dress girls just like boys, tell us more.

Viv: The South African gay community finally has no reason not to dress up. Whether you’re little or voluptuous, our brand – Classy Gay Couture – is designed to fit your body beautifully. We have two launch lines – Sassy Lady and TomGirl. Deb is the TomGirl…

Debbie: And Viv is the Sassy Lady. We designed our sense of style around what we love to wear and see on other women who just happen to share our passion for fashion.

Mambagirl.com: So fashion has been in your blood since…

Viv: Well actually it was always in my blood, having been in and later managed numerous fashion shows. Debbie has studied psychology, so when you put those two strengths together – it’s a great formula for dressing women and making them feel good.

Mambagirl.com: How are you helping lesbians look and feel better?

Debbie: We created Classy Gay Couture because we felt that women were looking for a style that was not only comfortable but suited them, at home and in the office. Our focus is on corporate lines but our range is classy and versatile enough to fit into almost any occasion! We did some research and found that butch women found it particularly difficult to find items that they liked and that suited them, ladies larger than a size 36 suffered the same dilemma. That was it. The beginning of Classy Gay Couture, the Sassy Lady label followed shortly after that.

Mambagirl.com: What makes your lines different to other designers?

Viv: Well first of all, we only design some of the items but the majority of our clientele is custom-made outfits. I’d have to say what makes us truly unique though is the fabrics we use. We’re very careful to choose delicate materials that compliment and wear well on women. We love textures and try to include them in many of our fashion ensembles.

Debbie: We also love international fashion and constantly keep an eye on what’s hot off the runway as well as the types of fabrics being used. To get an idea of what to expect, our inspiration comes from Peter Bondesio from a little place called Koster, Mark Bouwer and definitely Jenny Button. However, design is sometimes not as important as styling. You can have the most expensive, well-made, beautifully designed outfit and if It isn’t cohesively styled, it’ll look like a dog’s breakfast.

Mambagirl.com: So what can we expect to try on in-store?

Viv: Our TomGirl range is designed for sporty type of women like Deb. She is beautiful, fashionable, likes stylish masculine designs with a feminine touch. Debbie knows what to wear to enhance her best features like her lovely blue eyes and her flirty, short blonde hair and smooth skin – these are all things one needs to consider when dressing, amongst other things.

Sassy Lady is more my style, quite girly but no-nonsense. I’m small and petite and have a commanding personality so when I walk into a room I want my clothes to reflect that. I love bling, 9-inch heels and showing off a little skin! Cl

Debbie: We specialize in style, comfort and clothing that’s classic – at Classy Gay Couture you’ll never be so last season. Our shop, which is online too, won’t only make you “Beauty at the braai“ or “Sexy in the city” or “give you interview power” – they’re also all reasonably priced to allow you to fill your closet. Plus size, any size, we can style your clothes for your body and weight, advise on what cut best suits your face how to make it looks its best!

Mambagirl.com: Do we need a GPS to find you girls

Viv: Not at all, we’re just out of central Joburg – close enough to the city and far enough to feel as if we’re in the countryside!

Debbie: There is no excuse for not getting g hold of us, there are four sure ways. Our showroom is a MUST see and you’ll find it at 31 Vergelegen, Pinehaven Estate, Cnr Hendrik Potgieter and R28, Krugersdorp. Please phone us for an appointment as our showroom hours are from Mon-Thurs: 15:00 – 20:00 and Fri – Sun: 09:00 – 20:00. Also check out our website www.classygays.co.za where you can also order on-line. Call us on 084 810 3657 or drop us a mail: info@classygays.co.za

WIN A CLASSY GAY COUTURE HAMPER!
Viv and Debbie are giving 3 lucky Mambagirls the chance to win a sexy Classy Gay Couture hamper packed with goodies from their store. To win, simply go the Mambagirl Facebook page and write the answer to this easy question on our wall.

Where in Joburg will you find Classy Gay Couture?

Winners will be announced in the Mambagirl.com Facebook mailer and on the Mambagirl.com Facebook page.