Lisa has been encouraging her friend’s son to follow his dream; with idols like Anna Wintour and Casper Bosman, a fashion education is going to change his life.
Free State, South Africa (28 February 2020) – Lisa Swanepoel has known 19-year-old Ryan Grobbelaar for the last 17 years. She has watched his love for fashion grow over the years and wants to support his dream to further his studies.
Ryan was accepted into the LISOF School of Fashion in Pretoria but doesn’t have the funds to secure his spot. He has dreamed of doing his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Fashion forever, so Lisa refused to let him lose faith because of money.
“Fashion, I believe has always been part of him. It is especially the last 2 years that it grew even more and he decided he needs to pursue it with great intent. He loves the quote by Anna Wintour’s ‘You can be who you want to be’ and ‘It is never too late for fashion.’
This pushed him over the edge together with the ‘Met Gala’ a huge fashion event in New York where celebrities get invited to. He says once he completes his degree he will help others to strive to be anything they want in his clothes, expand the Fashion world and hopefully work alongside his role models. Casper Bosman inspires him tremendously in the industry because he is not afraid of using mixed colour and textures. He is a people’s person and makes each piece unique for each of his customers. Ryan says he strives to be like him but live and follow his own dreams. I personally, am looking forward to this, I cannot wait to see and be invited to one of Ryan’s fashion shows…. wait and see what he sews together. I hope all of you see what I can see…”
Lisa took to the group The Villiage, a Facebook community that discuss parenting tips and assist parents in need. Via the group, she was able to secure a sewing machine and textbooks for Ryan’s studies.
“They have been absolutely brilliant and so supportive. He needed books and a sewing machine amongst other things, which already has been donated, as well as material from all over, that will be sent to him. From the first day I joined this group, The Village, I knew I had arrived at a safe and very caring place. A place where we as parents support and help each other, especially emotionally. I am grateful to be amongst these beautiful village people, they certainly are my tribe.”
Lisa has now set up a crowdfund to raise the money needed to secure Ryan’s place at the school. He needs R15,000.00 by the 31st of March. Lisa is hoping for a miracle and that his story may inspire someone to believe in his dream.
If you would like to support Ryan’s fashion dream, you can do so via the crowdfund Lisa set up here.
by 