After a successful 5-year career at a successful large Canadian retailer where I worked as the senior designer creating ranges for the unisex youth (18-23 years) market. As a senior designer I was responsible for creating various ranges which took my on buying trips across the USA and Europe and included designing and developing the company’s private brands, trend forecasting and establishing seasonal colour palettes. It is with this extensive experience that I returned to Cape Town, South Africa with the intention of setting up a Michelle Ludek ready-to-wear collection that is created by women for women.

The Michelle Ludek range is now available in unique and independent fashion retailers, including The Space [Rosebank (JHB), Cavendish (CT), Menlyn Mall (PTA),Mungo & Jemima, Mythology (Kalk bay and Constantia), Seasons Boutique (Namibia), Tissuti (High Constantia) and Tzipporah (Plettenberg Bay) as well as a number of other boutiques across the country.

My inspiration comes from my inherent love of nature, especially the South African landscape with its textures, organic shapes and unexpected details. I’m also inspired by the effortless flair of Europeans with their irreverent cool take on fashion. As an artist, I am always true to my impulsive and playful instincts and who I am as a woman.

My collection has been created with function and aesthetic in mind, for modern women. The collection includes ageless buys made from quality fabrics where I take every effort and with a focus on fit and tailoring to create an elegant look and laid-back luxe. Allowing women to add femininity and shape with a touch of texture to their wardrobes. Although my colour preference is most often in more muted tones, seasonal trends often dictate punch of bright colour to my range!

My label is designed and made by women for women...my vision is to grow the brand through aligning with established SA boutiques and clothing stores, where I can grow my customer base and to focus on creating brand awareness through constantly being in tune with my consumers and local fashion editors.

Typically, my target market can be defined as young and upcoming career-orientated woman, who are not defined by fashion trends but are fashion conscious with an appreciation for beautiful fabrics and forms. They are women between the ages 25-35 years old.