The awesome #ProjectScouted sponsors – Larisa Terblanche owner and designer of Larisa MODA

Larisa Terblanche of Larisa MODA, moda translating to fashion or in style in Spanish, is a truly inspirational woman. Balancing her family, being a wonderful mother to two little girls, and running a business has become second nature for Larisa. Her philosophy when it comes to the garments she creates is that just as a woman should not only be beautiful on the outside but also beautiful on the inside; clothing should be just the same. Larisa says that one could even wear her dresses turned inside-out! It is this attention to detail and quest for excellence that has made Larisa MODA such a successful and reputable label and why #ProjectScouted has formed such a good relationship with the brand.

1.    How did you first get involved in #ProjectScouted?

I was invited by founder of #ProjectScouted, Lee Folkard, to be a part of Project Trinity in 2013. The #ProjectScouted girls also modelled my garments for the underwater shoot shot by Roy Esterhuysen last year.

2.    Having been a sponsor for last year’s Project, what made you want to be a part of it again this year?

I enjoyed working with Lee and the #ProjectScouted team on the previous Project and I was delighted to be invited again.

3.    What do you love most about the Project?

I love meeting new people and getting the opportunity of having my clothing featured in such unique and unusual shoots which is often quite rare for Durban.

4.    How did you find your passion for designing and creating clothing?

I started to create clothes for myself from a very young age and it was a natural decision to study Fashion Design after I finished school. I have always loved beautiful things, even though I didn’t come from a very well-to-do family. I even designed and made my matric dance dress. Ever since then, I have never regretted choosing this career.

5.    What was the very first thing you designed and made?

I made outfits for my dolls!

6.    What is the most rewarding aspect of your work?

I enjoy the actual process of making garments and the greatest reward is to see Larisa MODA creations living a beautiful life; going to special events and even travelling the world. I feel like my garments have a life of their own after I have created them and handed them over to my clients.

7.    What is the best aspect of being a designer based in Durban?

The weather! The weather is always changing but is always fashion-friendly. I love that!

8.    Are you willing to share any info about your phase in the Project?

My phase will be closer to the end of the Project. I will still be having a coffee date with Lee to discuss the details. Thereafter the theme of my phase will be announced. But it is definitely going to be even bigger than the underwater shoot last year.

It is not difficult to see why Larisa’s heart lies with her one-on-one work with her clients; she cares as much about the garments she creates as the people who will wear them. Check out Larisa’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/LarisaMODA for her latest ranges, including her new range of luxury crochet swimwear. Also follow the official #ProjectScoutedInstagram page for the date and venue of Larisa’s phase, and the girls who have made it through, as well as of all other upcoming phases. Remember, the #ProjectScouted team would love to see you at the shoots and events which are all open to the public.

The #ProjectScouted Top 6 ladies go underwater

“You can look at a picture for a week and never think of it again. You can also look at a picture for a second and think of it all your life.”

― Joan Miró (Painter, sculptor, and artist)

Every once in a while, if we are fortunate enough, we find ourselves feeling as if we are a part of something far larger and more beautiful than we could have ever usually experienced.  The Phase Ten #ProjectScouted shoot held at the Endless Horizons Boutique Hotel on Umhlanga Rocks Drive made everyone present feel exactly this way. As if the concept of the photoshoot was not breathtaking enough, the morale and sheer will-power of the Top 6 girls and the Phase Ten official photographer Roy Esterhuysen of Firsthouse Photography and Blush Boudoir, was inspiring and admirable beyond description.

The #ProjectScouted girls have braved some trying weather in the Project so far, but none of it could have properly prepared them for the underwater concept shoot that Roy had planned. This is Roy’s speciality and one that is not often ventured into by photographers, but even he was pushed to his limits in bearing the unbelievably cold temperature of the pool at the hotel. Despite coming prepared for the cold with layers of swimming gear (a Charlie Chaplin-type video of Roy getting dressed can be seen on Instagram), he pushed himself for the creation of art and an unforgettable experience.

The Top 6 girls have every reason to be extremely proud of themselves, and everyone present at the shoot can attest to that. Not only did they have to maintain their composure when in the water, they had to display the outfits sponsored by renowned Durban designer, Larisa MODA, who was also on location personally dressing the girls. Her graciousness is unmistakable – as she didn’t even think twice about the girls jumping into the water with her garments on. There were a few screams of shock from the icy water and a bit of breathlessness but with Roy’s patience and expert photography skills along with everyone’s support, the girls got their shots.

The Phase Ten shoot was quite an eventful morning and there were many visitors and spectators who came by who have selflessly given off their time to support the #ProjectScouted team and the models. The Make-up the College students and Charelle McAllister of Make-up by Charelle had their work cut out for them in giving the girls a waterproof make-up application. And as each girl stepped out of the pool, it was amazing to see that their faces were still exquisite with not a smudge or a smear in sight. Charelle will be exclusively handling the hair and make-up from Phase Eleven forward where she will take care of the Top 5 girls and so on.

Jerome Stoffels who is also a resident judge, Nilufer Yucel and Ryan Francis (aka The Clown) lurked around shooting behind the scenes with Ryan seeming to be completely comfortable in the freezing water with just his infamous clown suit on. Se-Anne Rall of the Tabloid Newspapers took some time out of her hectic journo’s schedule to come by; as well as past guest judge Lyle Young; parents; siblings and friends.

The shoot was completely engrossing and while we all cannot wait to see the images that will be undoubtedly breathtaking, we can also appreciate the lengths the girls and Roy went to for those shots. These images will definitely be those that you look at once but can never forget.

South African at heart, Larisa MODA – An official sponsor of #ProjectScouted

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.