By Remy Raitt

Along with student designer, Kuena Moshoeshoe, Coetzee is creating a range of three outfits for their allocated team, Ajax Cape Town. Moshoeshoe will focus on the ready-to-wear Ajax gear, Coetzee the couture piece and together they will create a masterpiece for their super fan Gladys Gailey.

The pieces draw inspiration from the super fan, tying in the team’s colours and iconography associated with Ajax. “Gladys is amazing,” says Coetzee, “before I was even partnered with her we had already bonded, she is such a big enthusiast.”

This whole process has made Coetzee himself a soccer supporter. “It’s really ignited a fire within,” he says. Last weekend he found himself cheering on Ajax Cape Town, who have now made it through to the Nedbank Cup final.

When it comes to University of Johannesburg student designer Moshoeshoe, Coetzee only has positive things to say. Moshoeshoe was one of eight students selected by a panel of expert judges at the Johannesburg leg of the #FFF knockouts.

“She is so in love with fashion,” says Coetzee. “We’ve been brainstorming together and I really want to make this her time to shine. I get the chance to shine all the time, so I really want to make this her moment to see the glamorous side of the fashion industry.”

The Ajax Cape Town colours of red and white will be a key feature in each of the three outfits says Coetzee. “We are using different fabrics and playing with ideas, plus we are playing with different body types. The fan fashion is for Gladys’ fuller body shape, the couture is for a model and then the ready-to-wear is for everyday fans, so it really is a complete range.”

“The ready-to-wear is where the money is so I’ve been helping [Moshoeshoe] with that, and the fan-fashion is going to be a real showstopper. We’ve just been bouncing ideas off each other.”

Coetzee says the most important thing is that their fashion pieces captivate various audiences. “There will be elements that entertain those who aren’t into fashion and then there will be elements that’ll surprise and entertain the fashionistas."

There are fifteen other teams in the running, the football inspired fashions will make their debut at a grand finale on Friday, 15 May just ahead of the Nedbank Cup final which takes place the following day.

For more information, visit www.nedbankcup.co.za and www.gertjohancoetzee.com.

Alternatively, connect with them on Facebook or on Twitter. Use the #NedbankCup, #ThingsThatReallyMatter and #TTRM hashtags to join the conversation.