Residents of Ons Huis take trip down fashion’s memory lane

Clothes and music may be the most pleasurable way to take the mind back to the heydays.

It was flashing lights and high heels as Residentia Ons Huis was the scene of a vintage fashion show on November 11. Along with friends and staff from sister facility, Residentia Moria, models from the two retirement villages turned their dining room into a temporary runway worth of the glitz of Milan, Paris or New York.

All items were from the private collection of piano and organ virtuoso, Donna Viljoen, with each ensemble bringing to life the era they were famous for. Combined with a brief history lesson for the young in attendance, residents had an opportunity to turn back the clock and relive the memories of sophisticated business wear, luxury party attire and even some cheeky after-hours numbers.

Going back 100 years, the fashion journey started with the roaring 20s and progressed through the decades, emphasising the evolution of society’s expression through fashion. As well as providing much of the aesthetic pleasures through her collection of garments, Donna was also the source of the melodies accompanying each step down the runway from behind the piano.

Donna first put her fingers to the keys at an early age and by her mid-teens she had passed two exams with the Royal Music School of London. Her talents impressed the Dutch Reformed Church who sent her for training at the Council of Church Music where she would have the pleasure of training under renowned pianist, Isador Epstein. Recently retired, Donna spent 64 years as organist, 60 of those at the Krugersdorp-Oos Hervormde Kerk.