Cinderella's dream

THE Herald and Reach for a Dream drew 124 entries for this year's matric dance dress competition across three categories: designer, hired and homemade. Up from last year's field of 73 entries, this year's competition attracted entries from around the province, featuring dresses worn to matric farewells in the Nelson Mandela Metro as well as Port Alfred, Humansdorp, Graaff-Reinet and Bloemfontein. A few contestants attended more than one farewell and entered more than one dress.

A judging panel assembled by The Herald and Reach for a Dream met on Friday and again on Monday to whittle down the finalists with former Miss Port Elizabeth Di-Anne Qoto and fashion editor Barbara Robertson lending a stylish eye.

The finalists in three categories: bought, hired and homemade are invited to take part in a gala finale on Friday November 16 at Running Waters Wedding and Conference Venue in Kragga Kamma.

The finalists are:

BOUGHT: Alise Ferreira (two dresses), Andisiwe Tshangela, Bulelwa Qupe, Cara Brynard, Carey Paul, Charmony Hector, Duraah Johnson, Edelein Boucher, Estelle Oelofsen, Megan Meyer, Samantha Webb, Singumzi Lungu, Tanya Naidoo, Tevin Hiles.

HIRED: Angelica Steyn, Daniele Terblanche, Jessica de Villiers, Lee-Ann de Vos, Lise-Mari Goosen, Megan Godfrey, Monique Moore, Sinique Hock.

HOMEMADE: Alyssa Fouche, Angelique van der Merwe, Athina le Roux, Erin Cupido, Gemma Rose Franke, Lauren Zeelie, Marike Lotz, Susan Schoeman.

Television heartthrob Janez will be the guest of honour and Niqui Cloete-Barrass will MC the evening. Make sure to read La Femme next week on Wednesday October 24, when details of the gala finale will be published.