It takes
courage, determination and several leaps of faith for one to follow their
dreams. But Larisa Terblanche of Larisa MODA, moda translating to fashion
or in style in Spanish, did just
that. As a full-time designer, Larisa is somewhat of a fairy godmother to the
clients who value her opinion and her craft. Living in South Africa for the
past nine years, she has also managed to admirably create a reputable and highly
sought-after brand in the fairly smaller fashion industry of Durban – a feat
not to be scoffed at.
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She was born
with a love and affinity for beautiful things, starting to draw dresses in
pre-school and developing a love for clothing over the years. Coming from a
family that was not well-to-do, she designed and sewed her own matric dress. Attention
to detail and achieving the highest possible quality is a trait that has always
been inherent in Larisa and that is a characteristic of her garments that she
has become known for and that she has honed over the years. Her philosophy when
it comes to the garments that she creates is that just as a woman should not
only be beautiful on the outside but also beautiful on the inside, so should
clothing be. The way in which a garment is created is of utmost importance to
Larisa and she says that one could even wear her dresses turned inside-out!
It was love
that brought Larisa to Durban, having met her husband, a South African, while
he was on holiday in Russia. Having now relocated here and also being a mother
to two beautiful little girls; it is the love for her family, South Africa and
fashion that has made Umhlanga her home. Larisa, like many working mothers,
takes special care to balance her family and work so that neither of these
priorities is neglected.
Larisa’s
speciality is creating custom-fitted and client-specific wedding gowns, evening
wear, matric dance dresses and special occasion outfits. Of course her dream is
to grow and expand her brand but Larisa’s heart lies with her one-on-one work
with clients and she derives great pleasure and satisfaction from giving her
clients the gift of looking and feeling beautiful through the creation of a
distinguished garment.
Some of
Larisa MODA’s career highlights have been achieving second place at SABIA’s
(South African Bridal Industry Association) Couture category for the K.Z.N.
province; being selected as a K.Z.N. designer for the Fashion Design
Capacity Building Programme, "21 STEPS TO RETAIL" in 2013; and also showcasing
her Autumn/Winter 2014 collection at S.A. Fashion Week in Johannesburg in 2013.
Larisa was
also a part of Project Trinity last year and this year she rejoined Lee Folkard
Photography for the unmatchable underwater concept shoot for the Top 6 shot at
the Endless Horizons Hotel in Umhlanga. She graciously offered for the girls to
wear her garments, achieving the effect of making our stunning Top 6 appear as
if they were mystical creatures emerging from a submerged paradise. Thanks to
Larisa, Phase Ten of #ProjectScouted was one for the books. She has been an
integral part of creating something incredibly beautiful.
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