Fashions fade, style is eternal – Yves Saint Laurent
Meet Casper Bosman. The superbly talented founder of Casper Designer Wear. He’s an entrepreneur. A creative soul. A designer, visionary and romantic. A man of true style, his designs will transport you to a time of glamour and elegance all the while still being utterly modern.
Dressing many dazzling celebrities such as Lorna Maseko, Tatum Keshwar, Christina Storm, Melinda Bam and Miss World Rolene Strauss (to name but a few!), Casper weaves dreams of enchanting colour and exquisite fabric.
The Casper Designer Wear label includes mesmerizing bespoke wedding gowns, evening wear and the newly launched ready-to-wear collection. We cannot wait to see what magic Casper will conjure up next. We are truly charmed…
Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak – Rachel Zoe
Tell us your story:
Where were you born?
Bethlehem
Where did you go to school?
Witteberg High school
What was your childhood dream?
I always knew that I wanted to be in the fashion and beauty industry from a very young age.
What was your first job?
Being the Caltex Bunny and waving at passing traffic.
Advice that shaped you career?
To never settle for second best. Always surround yourself with people’s opinions that build your confidence and understand your brand. Never waste your youth, creativity, time and life.
What gets you out of bed in the morning? What motivates you?
Living a purpose driven life, and the exciting challenges that my career offers daily, there is never a dull moment.
How do you juggle the demands of your career with your personal life and hobbies?
Achieving balance has always been the most difficult challenge in my life. Success always comes at a price and does not necessarily have office hours.
How do you spend your down time?
With a career in fashion you don’t get a lot of downtime. I work most evenings and weekends out of choice to make sure that when I take a break I can do so for longer periods. I’m addicted to traveling and experiencing as much as I can of different cultures.
What has been your aha moment? When did you realised who you were supposed to be?
My biggest struggle has always been to fit in and have a place in society. My AHA moment came when I realised that I can create my own mould of existence and that being different will create a unique following.
What does success look like to you?
Success is always relevant. Is it to live your calling? To have purpose? To have a big following? A big bank balance? I think it depends on the season you’re in. The face of success is ever changing in my life.
What sets you apart as a influential designer – what makes you stand out?
Not taking myself to seriously and knowing exactly how far my creativity can stretch.
What are the valuable lessons you have learnt in your career?
Your just as good as your last project or design. Never think that you’ve arrived or made it in life, you can always learn more!
What was the hardest career decision you had to make so far?
Starting my own label was probably the most difficult career decision. Nothing could have prepared me for the difficult and stressful road of having your own business.
When I hire I want? What makes a great employee?
Someone with confidence in their skill and craft. A person that takes initiative. People that have and master the skills that I lack.
Give me three words that describes you best?
- Hardworking
- Passionate
- Adaptable
What are your 3 biggest accomplishments in your career thus far?
- Having a successful business
- Having long term loving relationships
- Knowing who I am.
I wish I could tell my 22-year-old self:
To not take life too seriously. Have more fun! It’s okay to take risks and to make mistakes. You can never control people’s opinions – your own opinion is the one that matters the most.
Hidden talent:
I can play guitar and the piano.
What other designers do you look up to?
George, Paolo Sabastian, Christian Dior, Marchesa, Valentino
What is one characteristic that you believe every great designer should possess?
Adapting with the times. To be a brand that evokes passion and pride.
What is one mistake you witness designers making more frequently than others?
Designers that fall into the celebrity culture of being well-known. A fashion designer should not be doing the talking – their dresses/ collections should be the voice.
What advice would you give someone starting their design career?
Make sure you know exactly what your letting yourself in for. Fashion is not for the lazy or the faint hearted.
Favourites:
- Colour: Blue or black
- Food: Avo on toast
- Designer: Tom Ford
- Brand: Zara
- Happy place: At home with my partner and cats
- Band: Pink Martini
- Car: BMW
- If you could meet anyone living or dead who would it be? Yves Saint Laurent
- Quote: Style is to always drink from a crystal glass instead of a paper cup.
- Book or Magazine: Vogue
- Online inspiration: Any DIY blog
- App: Instagram
- Photography: Eye Poetry Photography
- Casper wore a bespoke blazer and custom button down shirt by Casper Designer Wear
