Originally from Mbombela, Lynmarie’s parents relocated to Cape Town as she went into Grade 11, a move not wholeheartedly appreciated by the young Lynmarie. “I put up quite a fuss about the move, oblivious to the fact that they were acting out of necessity rather than choice,” she smiles. “Every decision they made, they made with us in mind. My sister Chrizaan and I worked at the weekend markets to earn pocket money, a chapter in our lives that ultimately proved invaluable. Those experiences weren’t just to be able to afford nice stuff or to survive the teenage years; they equipped us with skills crucial for our future endeavours, particularly in business.”
Lynmarie went on to study at the Elizabeth Galloway Academy of Fashion in Stellenbosch, and at the end of her first year, a friend suggested they go on holiday together. Lynmarie couldn’t think of a better way to spend her December – sipping cold R & R while soaking up the Mozambican sun. Little did she know that that December would shape the course of her life. “I left South Africa carefree and single, and came back completely and utterly over-the-top in love!” she laughs. “My parents always say when they picked me up at the airport, as soon as they saw me, they knew instantly I had found ‘the one’! We had actually crossed paths years earlier when I was only 10. Du Preez was an extremely shy blond boy who captured my attention right from the start. Being my friend’s cousin meant we spent a lot of time together, especially during family holidays when they invited me along. Although our romantic journey didn’t kick off until much later, deep down I knew that this man would be my husband.”
Lynmarie’s fashion journey started with a love of visual arts. Drawn to it from an early age, she sees fashion as wearable art, a medium through which creativity can be expressed. After finishing high school, Lynmarie opted for two gap years to allow her parents time to save for her first year of studies. “Every single day that I wake up excited about what we are going to make and create today, I can’t help but think about my parents. They made this dream a reality, and I will always be grateful for that,” she says.
During this period, Lynmarie continued working at markets while also venturing into the world of movie sets, fascinated at how clothing could transport you to a different era entirely. “I didn’t have the privilege of growing up with a mother or grandmother proficient in sewing,” Lynmarie explains, adding that her mother couldn’t even sew on a button. “So stepping into my first patterns class was a daunting experience – I barely even knew what a pattern was. However, my passion for creation and my new-found fascination with patterns and textiles drove me forward. It was incredible to realise that with just paper, a ruler and some knowledge, one could craft something truly remarkable.”
I still remember the first birthday I spent with him; he gave me a sewing machine, something I desperately needed at that stage. That was when I realised this man supports my dreams, and I was right – to this day he is my number-one cheerleader
Lynmarie soon discovered that patterns and textiles were her forte. Falling in love with her now-husband in the middle of her studies did not set her back one bit. She completed her three-year course, while she and Du Preez had a long-distance relationship for two years. “He was doing his honours degree at Tuks while working part-time to save for me flying back and forth,” she says. “Although Cape Town is a fashion hub, my heart knew that wherever Du Preez goes, I would go, because that is home to me. I still remember the first birthday I spent with him; he gave me a sewing machine, something I desperately needed at that stage. That was when I realised this man supports my dreams, and I was right – to this day he is my number-one cheerleader.” The couple have come full circle. Following a career opportunity Du Preez was offered in the Lowveld, they relocated, and eight years later are living in (and loving) the Lowveld, where both grew up and now have the privilege to raise their children.
Along with Dominique Ackermann, her right hand and co-worker, Lynmarie started her business making wedding and matric farewell gowns full-time on September 1, 2020, the first day of a dream coming true. She loves her work and wouldn’t change it for the world, but admits that it is a tough industry. “I get so excited when someone says they want to go into fashion, but at the same time I want to tell them that only the strongest barely survive; that you start out with 30 in your class, but only 10 will finish the studies,” she says. “This is one of the most competitive businesses in South Africa. I decided a long time ago that I am doing this for me, for my future. Not to compare myself to anyone else, but to have the privilege to wake up every morning and do what I absolutely love. Not a lot of people get to say that in a lifetime.”
Another lifelong dream came true two years ago when Lynmarie found out she was pregnant with twins. When she was a little girl, she used to tell her mother that someday she’d have twins, and her mother would laugh and say: ‘Well, find a man with twins in his genes, because we don’t have any!’ At the beginning of my pregnancy, I was extremely sick, and I couldn’t understand why my jeans were already so tight. Every time Chrizaan and Du Preez saw me, they would ask: ‘How are our babies doing?’ The first time we saw our baby, at our eight-week sonar, we heard the most amazing sound – a tiny heartbeat. After taking a video of this special moment, my husband asked the doctor if she was sure there was only one. She said: ‘I’m sure, but I’ll look again.’ As she zoomed in, she cried: ‘Julle, hier is wragtig twee!’ Bouncing, healthy babies Lukas and Lika were born at 38 weeks.
Balancing work and twins is no easy feat, but they have amazing support. Lynmarie laughingly says that while it may take a village to raise a child, it takes a sister and bestie like hers to raise twins. “Chrizaan is a huge part of the success of raising our children and keeping the Griffioen household afloat. I would love a little more me-time, but I aim to build the business up to the point where I can slip away for an hour to see my son’s first rugby game or to be at every ballet rehearsal. I don’t want to miss anything, but my business was and will always be my first baby. I’m so proud of where we are now. I always knew God had something special in mind for me.”
She adds that someday she’d like to travel more, show the twins the world and be inspired by the textures and fabrics from various cultures. Her ideal day would be spent watching Formula1 with Du Preez, then Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour with her sister. Her perfect day would end on a wine farm, sipping wine with her parents, laughing and listening to 80s music. “For now, I’m enjoying every second of my twins.” she smiles. “But seriously, wouldn’t that be the most amazing
day ever?”
