Casper Bosman has graced the cover of Get It Bloemfontein a few times in the last 18 years. Since he started his career in fashion design in 2005, he has strived to have the right amount of ambition, hard work, and attention to detail.
There are a few things in life that cannot be measured by the naked eye … the hours you put in and the sacrifices you make cannot be weighed but the joy and growth that comes from it always exceeds what you put in.
Casper Bosman, who graced the cover three times in the last 18 years of Get It Bloemfontein, said since he started his career in fashion design in 2005, he strived to have the right amount of ambition, hard work, and attention to detail.
This helped him create longevity in not only the South African Fashion industry but also to establish the Casper Bosman brand internationally.
“I think I’ve grown on so many levels. I see life in a different light, the angle has changed. I’ve become more comfortable in my own skin and have created a signature and my own mark in the world.”
With a luxurious aesthetic approach and an immaculate attention to detail, Casper has a vision to create and establish a well-recognised brand as one of the top designers in SA. He enjoys to create pieces that shows the unique style and personality of the client in front of him.
“It’s a big responsibility to make sure they look and feel their best,” he said.
His poise and charm emphasises this sentiment thoroughly by the way he presents himself. The Tuxedo on the cover photograph is not a prop but resembles years of dedication and commitment.
As a creative, the 40-year-old said it is a task to balance the right amount of creativity while managing the business side of things.
Luckily for Casper it is not just about making beautiful designs.
“If it doesn’t sell you won’t have a sustainable business. You have to learn to consider current trends and then add your creative stamp and sometimes you just have to make something that is not your personal style,” he said.
He added that there are so many factors that determine how people express their individual style or how they interpret current trends.
“I do believe that every city has its own ‘look’ when it comes to how people express their personal style. I think life and fashion are ever-changing with the different stages of life. How you grow, how a city grows. Evolution of culture plays a big role – conservative or more liberal social needs will influence the trends significantly.”
Casper has dressed well-known personalities and influencers throughout his career but still enjoys the process of getting to know the person behind the name. These include Pearl Thusi, DJ Zinhle, Lalla, Thando Tabethe, Boity, Lorna Maseko, Christina Storm, and 11 former winners of Miss South Africa.
He has also dressed numerous Miss Earth SA finalists as well as Mrs South Africa finalists and title holders.
“I can honestly say that my process has changed since 2005. I now have many capable hands to assist me and each one has perfected their craft over the years, I can now spend more time and energy on the design process. The most important step is to identify the impact we want to make. Whether it is to create a timeless moment or to make a bold statement that creates a buzz and make the public talk,” he said.
Working with people comes as second nature for the designer, who graciously moved around the Casper Bosman Studios based in Bloemfontein during the photoshoot.
“I think I understand people a bit better. I have realised that I have to focus on sustainability and moving with trends and the different stages of life and design. When I started off, I had a very clear vision to make sure that my designs would always do the talking to build a well-known brand,” he explained while sketching a rough design.
Casper said he was fortunate enough to have his designs recognised on numerous national and international stages which allows him to attract clientele from all over the globe.
Casper was eagerly anticipating a trip to Vietnam during the shoot. He was heading to a Vietnamese-based company called YALY COUTURE to work on a new collection for 2023/24.
“The connection with YALY COUTURE was established in 2019 when I worked on my first show with YALY COUTURE as creative director,” he said.
He has ventured into interior design in 2021, and launched a new wing by launching Casper Bosman Interiors.
“The main focus has been on the interiors of the exclusive Cradle Boutique Hotel situated in the Cradle of Humankind, with projects in London and a few other unique homes. I have also been working on an exclusive soft furnishing range that will be added to the Casper Bosman Interiors brand soon,” he said.
As he continues to claim his place in the ever-changing fashion industry, Bloemfontein will always be the place he calls home and where Casper Bosman, the brand and person was birthed.
Compiled and photographed by Gypseenia Lion
