Minki makes time for a fan

2007-09-28 09:58

Amy Johnson

Cape Town - Model Minki van der Westhuizen, who is getting ready for her wedding on Saturday, made time on Thursday to meet one of her fans - a second-year student from Ravensmead.

"I still can't believe it," said the overwhelmed Bernadette Winger, 20, a student at the University of the Western Cape, after meeting her role model at designer Charlene Sauerman's studio.

Winger earlier wrote a letter to Van der Westhuizen requesting if she could rent or buy the dress Van der Westhuizen had worn to this year's J&B Met.

Van der Westhuizen asked Sauerman to lend the dress to Winger for her 21st birthday.

Sauerman, who also made Van der Westhuizen's wedding gown and many of her other designer outfits, in turn asked Paul Hacket from Paul Hacket Hairdressing to style Winger's hair for the occassion. "Any girl wants to look like a dream and we thought we would accommodate her this one time," said Sauerman.

Hacket didn't want to say much about what he was going to do with Winger's hair. "It will definitely be styled, and we will shape her eyebrows to accentuate her eyes."

Dream dress

Magdel Gericke, a jewellery designer, offered to provide jewellery for Winger's special evening.

Van der Westhuizen said she wasn't surprised that Winger liked the dress, because she felt like a dream in it.

Maria Lakay, 42, Winger's cousin, said she was very excited to meet Van der Westhuizen.

"One never believes that you would meet these people. You see them on magazine covers, but I'm glad that Bernadette could meet her.

"It's not easy for our communities. Bernadette's father is the only breadwinner in their house. Their offering to do her hair and make-up and to provide jewellery, is the cherry on the cake."

'The best present'

Bettie Winger, her mother, said she was very excited that they (Van der Westhuizen and the different designers) had reached out to her.

Winger jnr said the party would be held on October 6 in the Parow North recreation hall. "It's the best birthday present ever!"

Van der Westhuizen is getting married to businessman Constant Visser on Saturday.

- Die Burger