The awesome #ProjectScouted sponsors – Cathy Vere of Hedgehog Party Service

Durban is a treasure trove. Think of all the awesome venues that #ProjectScouted shoots and events have taken place at and you will see that this is true. Upping our game from last year, this cycle of the Project sees us calling on the professional and unique services of Cathy Vere, owner of Hedgehog Party Service, to be a scout in her own right – a venue scout, that is.

Lee Folkard Photography: How did you hear about #ProjectScouted & how did you get involved?

Cathy: I've known Lee for years. As a Marketing Consultant for Barclays/Absa, Lee Folkard was one of our preferred suppliers. I have followed the Project from day one. Now that I have opened my own events company I can finally get involved. Lee invited me to be part of the Project in order to provide him with support.

LFP: What made you want to become a #ProjectScouted sponsor?

Cathy: I just want to share my knowledge and expertise and services. It’s also a great way to build on my business relationship with Lee Folkard Photography and also to network with other business owners.

LFP: How did you get involved in the events industry?

Cathy: I applied for a job as a Compliance Officer but my manager identified my strengths and skills in planning our head office functions. It wasn’t long before I became an Events Consultant for Absa Group Marketing.

LFP: What advice would you give to someone wanting to work in the events industry?

Cathy: Definitely invest in a short Project Management course. Find your niche and know your stuff! Keep updated with what’s in and what’s not. It takes more than just a love of a great party to succeed in this fast-paced field; you’ve got to have an eye for detail and an ability to handle constant deadlines and pressure.

LFP: What is the best part of your work?

Cathy: I love selecting food and décor with my clients, working with different people, and spending my days at cool venues instead of behind a desk. It’s also awesome conceptualizing with my client’s to bring their dream and ideas into reality and then watching the reaction of my clients at the event. Its great seeing the end product.

LFP: What is a typical day like for you?

Cathy: It’s incredibly busy, especially having two little ones! We have also just opened up a new store so I have been spending lots of time there. Juggling my family and upcoming events is lots of hard work.  But it all pays off at the end of the day.

LFP: With Durban being a relatively small city, how do you constantly find trendy, new venues for events?

Cathy: Social networks are my most useful tools. Print media is also very helpful. I tier my information according to clients’ requirements.

                           

LFP: What criteria are you using when scouting for venues for the Project?

Cathy: I look at what the new generation is into these days. The 21^st century girls and boys are always inventing a new fashion or trend. They have their regular "chill-out" spots that I've taken note of. Venues also need to enhance the week’s theme.

Like the Hedgehog Party Service Facebokpage to keep updated on all Cathy’s events and to also see the interesting venues she discovers for the various Project shoots and events. Don’t forget that Phase Three takes place this Sunday, 15 March, at Fairway on Northlands Pre-Primary with the theme “Let’s be kids again”, and we want to see you there!

The awesome #ProjectScouted sponsors – Bianca Van Aardt of Bianca Kim Clothing

Bianca Van Aardt, 26-year-old designer and owner of Bianca Kim Clothing, has a knack for mixing up contrasts resulting in designs that are unique and instantly recognizable. Drawing her inspiration from everything and anything around her, Bianca combines New Age culture and vintage elegance into her ranges which consist of her favourite styles of “biker meets rocker” and “Boho chic”. Her goal is for her clients to have an up-to-date look that is on par with international trends while keeping her ranges affordable, and so far she has succeeded brilliantly.

Lee Folkard Photography: How did you get involved in #ProjectScouted?

Bianca: Lee and I met at “I Heart Market” and we were both fascinated by each other’s work. He asked me if I wanted to be a part of this cycle of #ProjectScouted and I am honoured to be a part of it.

LFP: What made you want to become a #ProjectScouted sponsor?

Bianca: I love the concept, the idea, and the exposure Lee and the Project offer. I could never give up the chance to be creative and working on styling is one of my absolute favourite things to do, which I will be doing during my phase.

LFP: From what you know so far, what do you love most about the Project?

Bianca: I love how it is evolving so rapidly and how social media, especially Instagram, plays such a huge part of the process. It gives everyone involved a greater opportunity to get out there and be noticed.

LFP: How did you find your passion for designing and creating clothing?

Bianca: I’ve always had this creative passion for clothing and design. For me, inspiration comes from anywhere and even from the most unexpected things and places. I find inspiration from going on road trips, being out in nature, and from everyday life experiences. I also love looking at books and patterns and watching international trends. When I am inspired in these ways, passion automatically comes.

LFP: How long have you been designing?

Bianca: I started studying for my Bachelor of Arts in Fashion in 2007 but I have been designing and playing with fabrics as far back as I can remember.

LFP: What was the very first thing you designed and made?

Bianca: The first thing… Well, that is hard to say. In college, I designed a collection of three awful dresses in my first year. Haha! They were made of a sheer fabric with shirring elastic. Sometimes it’s so funny how fashion changes and even how our own style can change!

LFP: What is the most rewarding aspect of your work?

Bianca: I do love seeing a Bianca Kim Clothing design on a girl just walking down the street or at a music festival or concert. When I see my clothing on someone, especially unexpectedly, I get to appreciate my design and what went into it all over again. It’s truly one of the most exhilarating and rewarding feelings ever.

LFP: Would you like to share any info about your phase in the Project?

Bianca: The plans for the BKC phase of the Project are still in the early stages; all I can say is that it’s going to be incredible! The #ProjectScouted girls should definitely continue to bring their utmost best so they can make it as far as possible! #StayTuned

Check out Bianca’s website at http://www.biancakimclothing.co.za/ for her latest ranges and look-books. Also follow Bianca on Instagram, @biancakimclothing, as well as the official #ProjectScouted Instagram page for the dates and venues of upcoming phases. As Bianca would say, “love and light”!

The awesome #ProjectScouted sponsors – Brendon Kader, co-owner of #Hashtag Social Restaurant and Bar and Dental Fix

Durban entrepreneur, Brendon Kader, is not just innovative when it comes to his business ventures, but also generous. #Hashtag Social Restaurant and Bar was one of the main venues used in last year’s Project and will be again this year. Having held the Open Casting here on 21 February, the first phase and the launch of the Project will take place on 28 February here as well. As Brendon put it, combining #Hashtag and #ProjectScouted is really a “no-brainer”. And also to keep up the girls winning smiles, Brendon has also brought his new enterprise Dental Fix into the mix.

1.    Having hosted #ProjectScouted at #Hashtag last year, what made you want to come back this year and bring another of your companies on board as a sponsor?

The founder of #ProjectScouted, Lee Folkard, and I have always had a good relationship when it comes to his crazy ideas surrounding photography and events. #Hashtag is a venue for all things social, put those two together and it’s a no-brainer really. We couldn’t not be a part of the Project again this year!

2.    How did you get involved in the Project last year?

#Hashtag was a venue for one of the first shoots, where we provided the girls and crew with food and drinks as well as a DJ to set the mood on the Saturday morning. At the end of the Project, we also had all the guys back for a prize-giving and party.

3.    What do you think is the best aspect of the Project?

This platform allows for aspiring young ladies to get a taste of the modelling industry working with some of Durban’s most talented photographers.

4.    What was the inspiration behind opening #Hashtag?

Times are changing; people don’t want the same thing anymore. Clubbers are no longer, they have evolved into Socialites, who do things differently. Food, fun and “dance if you want to” are the ways of the world now. So we’ve tried to combine online with offline and give Durban a fresh approach to a night out.

5.    And the inspiration behind Dental Fix?

We saw a gap in the market with regards to dental practice in the city and decided to open our own dental franchise called Dental Fix. Our first practise opens on 1^st March 2015 at Shop 47e Almill Centre, 47 Ashley Avenue, Glenashley. We plan on opening 5 additional practices in 2015.

6.    The girls and scouts are going to be ecstatic to hear of the prizes you will be sponsoring at each phase of the Project. Would you like to reveal anything about those prizes?

Dental Fix is giving away a cleaning to each phase winner and their scout. Once the Project is concluded, we will give a teeth whitening procedure to the overall winner and their scout.

7.    What is a typical day like for you? How do you balance everything?

I don’t. It balances me. I guess the only way to explain it, is prioritizing. Do what needs doing now, NOW. There is no other way.

8.    Do you have any surprises coming up for Durban? Any new ventures on the horizon?

All I will say is; watch this space, there is a lot in the pipe line.

You definitely don’t want to miss out on Phase One and the launch of the Project happening at #Hashtag on 28 February starting at 14:00 with Just Green on the decks providing the music!