Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2009. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Sunday Times (Johannesburg) - November 15, 2009
She even threw in a few gowns, shoes and bags for the women.
The Tapestry of Dreams non-profit project is run by Heather Costaras and Roz Thomas.
It has assisted 10 women from Khethani township, in the Drakensberg, KwaZulu-Natal, "who were making a difference in their community, to start their own businesses", Costaras said.
She told The Times that, thanks to sponsorship by ChemCity, a Sasol Group company, the women are now running successful bakery, greeting cards and candle- and soap-making businesses.
This weekend, the women will travel to Johannesburg where they will attend a gala dinner and be "treated like queens".
They will stay at a luxury hotel, have their make-up and hair done, and receive a R2500 wardrobe from retailer Foschini.
They will be kitted out by South African designers, including Simon Rademan.
One lucky woman, Sebenzile Kubheka, will wear an exquisite off-white Vivienne Westwood gown.
Costaras approached several South African and international designers to dress the women for the evening.
Westwood contacted Costaras, asking for more information, before offering to become a sponsor and patron of the initiative.
In a video to be shown at the gala dinner, the London designer said: "Hello, I'm Vivienne Westwood. My heart goes out to you in your battle against HIV/Aids.
"I think that Sebenzile is going to look lovely in the dress that I sent. I want everybody to bid as much money as they can for the [other] dresses I sent [which will be auctioned], because fashion is here to help! Lots of love, Vivienne."
Kubheka is a caregiver at the Isibani community centre, one of the beneficiaries of the project.
"I am so excited about this dress, it makes me feel proud [to have been selected to wear it]," she told The Times yesterday.
"It is going to be my first time in Johannesburg and my first time staying in a hotel. I am looking forward to being there," she said.
* E-mail heather@beautifullifeproject.com for tickets to the fundraising dinner.
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