WAG Kick Starts Summer Fashion with a 'Bang' and a 'Wow'

'Go big or go home,' says fashion designer Sheray Bakos

Summer fashion is all about stepping out of your shell in a flurry of corals and bright colours that celebrate female forms of all shapes and sizes. Owner of Long Street boutique WAG Sheray Bakos recently made a bold splash on Cape Town's fashion map at the launch of her summer 2010 collection with big frills, big bows, big flowers, big fabrics and big colours so who better to ask for a little fashion advice?

CTMag: What sparked your interest in fashion?

Sheray: My mother, grandma and aunt were all dress makers and at the age of 12 I was already making hair bands for my friends. I started to experiment with off cuts of fabrics given to me by my aunt and my mum owned sewing machines.

CTMag: What inspires you?

Sheray: I lived in fashion capital London during 2000 and also visited Bangkok which inspired me to open my first store. I'm very impressed with Vivienne Westwood and I have a design team who provide valuable input but all of the designs that you see on the runway are exclusive to WAG. Everything is made on the premises.

CTMag: How has the style of your garments evolved over time?

Sheray: As I've grown and gained more experience my brand has grown with me. I used to keep my garments very basic but now I aim to encourage women to embrace what they have and flaunt it. I'm in the business of making women look fabulous.

CTMag: How do you compete with other fashion boutiques on Long Street?

Sheray: The essence of WAG is that women are gorgeous goddesses and we try to install that belief in every woman who walks into the store regardless of their size or shape. We have a runway and a huge antique mirror where women can show themselves off but before they get to the mirror we style them with statement belts, heals and accessories. When they see themselves in the mirror they say 'Wow'.

CTMag: How would you describe your summer 2010 collection?

Sheray: The motto for my summer 2010 collection is 'go big or go home'. Think big frills, big bows, big flowers, bright colours and expensive fabrics. My favourites are a large frilly dress made from raw silk, sequinned garments and an outstanding sequinned chiffon dress in red and orange.

The collection is aimed at people who want to paint the town red or need a cute dress to make a statement at an end-of-year function. It suits the kind of person who not only likes to be out there but to be pretty out there.

CTMag: How was the Camps Bay fashion show for your summer 2010 collection received?

Sheray: After the show was filmed the presenter interviewed people to ask their opinions. As I put a lot into designing the range and wanted it to start with 'bang' and 'wow' I was excited when my audience got it.

CTMag: What are the key trends for summer 2010?

Sheray: Every woman should have a large leather-waisted belt which can shape any dress and make it look expensive. Corals and bright colours are in fashion this summer but my advice is to lie on the beach to get a matching tan. People with a low budget can also keep up to date with summer trends. We have a dress called the Lilly which sells at R550 but it is made from 100% satins and silk and can be dressed up or down. Even with dresses from last summer that sell for R200 we'll still put the same amount of effort into making women feel beautiful on our runway.

CTMag: What is your favourite item in your wardrobe?

Sheray: I have a Vivienne Westwood jacket that I just bought and some long heeled open toed shoes. If I could wear these items every day I would.

Sheray's designs are priced from R550 to R1 200 and are available at WAG Boutique (62 Long Street | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 422 5015).

By Lisa Nevitt


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