There’s something magical about slipping into a gown, whether it’s sleek and fitted or full-on princess drama, that makes a girl feel like she’s stepped into her own Disney moment. It’s the kind of night many students count down to for months, sometimes even years.
For 16-year-old Thando Mokoena, daughter of South African actress and DJ Pearl Thusi, it was also a night of standout fashion that firmly placed her on the local style radar.
Mokoena made a memorable entrance at her school’s prom in a custom gown designed by renowned South African designer Gert-Johan Coetzee.
Known for his detailed embellishments, dramatic structure and red-carpet-ready finishes, the look was a testament to the designer’s signature style: bold but graceful, glamorous but carefully tailored to the wearer.
Her appearance quickly caught attention, not only for her poised presence but also for her sophisticated sense of style.
Keeping things effortlessly elegant and true to Coetzee's approach of creating garments that celebrate individuality, the dress suited Mokoena's youthful elegance and quiet confidence.
She kept her styling minimal, with natural makeup and a soft glow, choosing to let the gown speak for itself. The result was a modern, age-appropriate take on formalwear that still held the drama of a red-carpet appearance.
The beading shimmered subtly under the lights, perfectly highlighting her youthful glow and style confidence. She paired the dress with soft, understated makeup and radiant skin, proving that sometimes less really is more.
To top off her elegant look, Mokoena added just the right amount of attitude with her nails, a black-and-white design finished off with 3D studs. Nail art like this has been trending lately, especially for special occasions, with more teens and young women choosing statement sets that feel like accessories on their own.
Think metallic beads, layered patterns, crystal accents, basically, nails that do more than just match the outfit. Mokoena’s set struck that perfect balance: fun, edgy, and full of personality, without taking the spotlight away from the dress.
On social media, she shared photographs from the evening along with a caption that playfully read, “Prom 2025, but we finna (going to) pretend it was an MD (Matric Dance).”
In a longer message of gratitude, she expressed her appreciation to Gert for making the evening extra special: “Another special thank you to Gert. This dress is everything I’ve dreamed of and more thank you so much. You are an incredible designer, I had an amazing time brainstorming this dress with you and it came out even better than we both imagined.
"I am beyond proud of the work you have done and beyond grateful for all you have done for me. I love you❤️.”
Gert responded with warmth and pride: “Thank you so much for your kind words, Thando. I’m thrilled you loved the dress and that it exceeded your expectations.
"You looked absolutely beyond, and I’m honoured to have been a part of making your special night even more memorable.”