DISCO DAWN

Creative Naomi is another find of Dawn’s: “Four original All Saints jackets, decorated with these gorgeous pieces she sourced from the SPCA. She’s made bags, too, from the reject denim.” The brief? “I felt like a bit of a Dolce & Gabbana feel.”

The wonder of Disco Dawn for its owner is that she can do exactly as she pleases. When she was going on a summer holiday, she designed her own range – a looseflowing dress, soft flowing pants and wrap top: “I designed it for me, but in a range of colours and sizes … and they sell.”

Art is the thread through her collaborations, her own range, even her photoshoots. She loves to source creatives and collaborate with them. Whether it’s her mom knitting sleeves for an outfit, the talented guy from the municipality painting takkies, or the week-long shoots which are holidays in disguise. “I want to keep it real. I don’t use models – it’s either myself or friends. No filters.” She does, however, have a number of wonderful assets – she’s very comfortable in the social media space, and has photographers Jacques Weyers as a brother-in-law, and Tony Christie, a good friend.

And naturally, there’s more. The Vintage clothes section is in high demand. “And,” she says, “I thought rentals. Because I love to dress up – I’m the most dressed-up person at any function – I thought rentals of headdresses, wigs, feathered things, you name it, perfect for festivals or fancy dresses?” Dawn’s dress-up box.

Heard of Champagne Fridays? From a regular Friday event when Dawn opened the doors to her home – popped corks off the bottles – and women rifled through the clothes racks, to a thrice yearly sleek and

stylish event, with a DJ, music, champers, and giveaways. It’s a wonderful girl-only space, for safe dress-ups and lots of fun.

It feels as if Disco Dawn has been as much of a surprise to Dawn as it has to her clients, collaborationists and others: “My energy comes through here, from

I wanted elegant, pretty, wrap dresses, shorts, jumpsuits – oneoff pieces you won’t find in a store. I wanted to create art in my clothes

SERVICE, PASSION AND PARTNERSHIPS

Service. Not lip service, but supremely personal service. That’s the focus which has ensured that KZN north-coast-based SIYANQOBA Worldwide Express – SWE – couriers has stood out from the crowd for over 17 years.

this place, right here. I’ve met so many new people, bonded with women who feel the same way about things as I do, found and promoted young artists who want to showcase their work, and just had the most wonderful, creative time. Still am, and still open to other artistic avenues. I’m thinking of young artists’ paintings printed on fabric and T-shirts …”

Disco Dawn will continue to dance, until Dawn MacNab stops loving it and having fun. Listening to her, it’s not anytime soon. *

FOR MORE INFO www.discodawn.co.za

Debbie Jean

Reviews

pictures jon ivins from which I could work while travelling to schools, sports and fi tting in my interior design and decorating career along with Classic English with SUBTLE NUANCES my family,” says Tracy. “I moved away from the area and worked remotely for several years, but returned about six years ago and gave the home a complete renovation. “Nom de Plume Studio is my front of face, an interior space that is curated to represent myself and my adaptability with regards to design. My inspiration is always a mix of classic English with the subtle nuances of Africa. I love to display the works of the incredibly talented artisans in our continent.” of Africa Tracy says Nom de Plume has been a wonderful platform and base from which she has been able to consult with clients and carry an exclusive range of

KATRINE ANKER-NILSSEN CHATS TO TRACY KELLY OF decor accessories that clients are able

BEAUTIFUL INTERIOR SPACE NOM DE PLUME STUDIO to purchase. “I have been able to meet incredible people – from suppliers, to

Tracy grew up in Zimbabwe, riding horses and living a life outdoors. “My family moved to South Africa in my teenage years and it’s here I met my husband, Trevor. I have been blessed with three beautiful children and two very precious grandchildren,” says Tracy, who lives on a farm in the Wartburg area. “I’ve created my own sanctuary here, a place where I can hide and spend time in my garden with my animals and family.

“I started my career 30 years ago, fi rst getting my interior design diploma through a design company in New York, then slowly, one project at a time, adding to my portfolio – which now incorporates residential, corporate and hospitality,” says Tracy. “With all design projects there are seasons. My current season has led me very much into hospitality, with specifi c reference to African bush lodges – and I love these projects. They bring together all aspects of design that I am drawn too, with specifi c reference to bringing the outdoors inside.”

Twenty years ago Tracy purchased a turn of the century Cape Dutch home in Pietermaritzburg. “At the time it was a base

LEFT: Interior designer, Tracy Kelly.

manufacturers to clients themselves.”

Inspired by the flora and fauna of Africa and the vast differences in our cultures, Tracy is also equally inspired by the classic English country homes with the mix of old and new. “This can be seen in my design style, which is very inherent. I often use older pieces and love them for their Wabi Sabi imperfections, which in themselves tell a wonderful story. I love to add layers coupled with lots of texture, which plays a very important role in any interior scheme.

“I am fortunate enough to be living my dream with regards to interiors, I work with amazing clients and on incredible projects,” says Tracy, who would love to travel more to see wonderful creations by other talented interior designers in her fi eld, whom she admires and looks up to.

Nom de Plume is a destination for the client who wants to fi nd pieces that are exclusive and unique. “We are here to inspire and stimulate you with regards to your interior thinking. It is a sensory experience, and everyone who visits our studio needs time to pause, breathe and take it all in. We want you to understand the concept of living and mixing the old with the new, the rough with the smooth, the shiny and the matt. Now more than ever before, we need to put our own stamp on our interiors – and we are here to help you do that,” says Tracy.

Beautifully curated with exquisite pieces all hand selected by Tracy, Nom de Plume Studio is a lifestyle within a 100-year-old Cape Dutch homestead. So please do pop in and experience this beautiful interior space in person. *

FOR MORE INFO 033 342 4158; admin@ndep.co.za; www.tracykellydesign.com; @tracykellyinteriors; W @nomdeplumestudio

Nom deNom de Nom Plume Studio is a contemporary AfricanPlume Studio is a contemporary African de Plume Studio is a contemporary African boutique lifestyle studio stocking exclusive interiorboutique lifestyle studio stocking exclusive interior boutique lifestyle studio stocking exclusive interior décor accessories and other decor must havesdécor accessories and other decor must haves décor accessories and other decor must haves curated bycurated by curated Tracy Kelly. We believeTracy Kelly. We believe itby Tracy Kelly. We believitis e is a it au is uniquenique a unique experience, from the beautiful scents, visualexperience, from the beautiful scents, visualexperience, from the beautiful scents, visual stimulation and aroma of fresh coffee which canstimulation and aroma of fresh coffee which can stimulation and aroma of fresh coffee which can bebe enjoyed while browsing thenjoyed while browsing the be enjoyed while browsing e studio ’ s interior orstudio ’ s interior or the studio ’ s interior or enjoyed while sitting in comfort, in front of ourenjoyed while sitting in comfort, in front of our enjoyed while sitting in comfort, in front of our vertical green plant wall invertical green plant wall in tvertical green plant wall thhe in e inner courtyard. inner courtyard. the inner courtyard. We invite you to visit us and soak uWe invite you to visit us and soak up We invite you to visit us and soak p thethe up the ambience. ambience. ambience. Open Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4pm Closed Weekends & Public Holidays 10 Gough Road, Townhill, Pietermaritzburg. Open Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4pm Closed Weekends & Public Holidays 10 Gough Road, Townhill, Pietermaritzburg. Open Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4pm Closed Weekends & Public Holidays 10 Gough Road, Townhill, Pietermaritzburg. Contact Us: 033 342 4158 Contact Us: 033 342 4158 admin@ndep.co.za Contact Us: 033 342 4158 admin@ndep.co.za admin@ndep.co.za www.tracykellydesign.com www.tracykellydesign.com www.tracykellydesign.com