Caxton Magazine’s rooi rose, the number one Afrikaans monthly magazine in the country, has secured a royal scoop second to none.
Her Serene Highness Princess Charlène of Monaco is gracing the June 2018 cover of rooi rose magazine. The Princess’s sister-in-law, Chantell Wittstock, contacted the magazine’s deputy editor, Hannelie Diedericks, in the beginning of the year to inform the publication that the normally camera-shy Princess would shortly visit South Africa and would love to be on the cover of rooi rose magazine. The rooi rose team jumped at the opportunity and set the wheels in motion to organise a cover shoot fit for a princess.
“It was an unforgettable experience and a great honour for us,” says rooi rose editor Martie Pansegrouw. “Princess Charlène arrived with a full security team as well as her attorney present on the shoot but she was absolutely divine and down to earth. This special feature takes up eight pages in the June issue, understandably we’ve allocated more space than usual to this specific piece.
We were thrilled that Princess Charlène’s family specifically requested to be featured in our publication – her Serene Highness felt that the Afrikaans market is incredibly strong in South Africa and more aligned to her,” says Martie.
rooi rose boasts a circulation of just under 70 000 and a monthly readership of 596 000. The magazine has a 78% female readership with a racial split of 39% white, 31% black and 30% coloured/Indian – the majority (58%) of who are in the LSM 7-10 income bracket.
“The first task of the shoot was to ensure that rooi rose’s dream team was available to deliver the flawless cover photographs that rooi rose is known for,” adds Pansegrouw. “Photographer Leana Clunies-Ross who has been photographing rooi rose covers for over 10 years and is our number one choice for her exquisite lighting and intrinsic ability to make the most nervous cover model feel beautiful and at ease in front of the camera.”
Stylist Riaan Hulley, make-up artist Adelle Jung and hairstylist-to-the-stars, Saadique Ryklief, were immediately secured to ensure that every detail would be taken care of for the perfect results.
An understated, chic black and white colour palette was deliberately chosen to complement the Princess’s natural beauty and elegance. Local and international designers such as Gert-Johan Coetzee, Anel Botha, Stefania Morland, Jacques Lagrange, Erre Fashion, Kat van Duinen, Hugo Boss, Michael Kors, Suzaan Heyns, Pichulik, Max Mara, Chopard, Cartier and Bulgari were thrilled to supply their finery for this occasion. Beautiful furniture from Weylandts provided the backdrop for some of the photographs. The exquisite dresses of Erre Fashion particularly caught the Princess’s eye and even went home with a few of their pieces after the shoot. Subsequently the Princess has invited the Erre design duo consisting of Natasha Jaume and Carina Louw to Monaco later in the year.
The bright and airy Light Station Studio in Bryanston was the perfect venue for the shoot. Large enough to host a princess’s entourage (including strapping bodyguards and the blue-light brigade courtesy of the SAPS), a TV-crew from Bravo! on kykNET, and an excited rooi rose team – all ready to start shooting! The Princess was a natural in front of the camera. Her Serene Highness’ athletic grace, glowing skin and expressive blue eyes made every shot a masterpiece.
“We’re absolutely thrilled with the end result and can’t wait to see the issue on shelves,” says Martie. “We’re confident that our advertisers and readers alike will enjoy the issue almost as much as we enjoyed putting it together.”
Don’t miss the June 2018 rooi rose (on sale from 14 May – 10 June) to read our exclusive, candid interview with the Princess and feast your eyes on gorgeous photographs of the rarely photographed royal. Also featured in the issue are articles delving into dating after 50, a topical look at an unsolved murder and how to be a good boss.
Visit www.rooirose.za for a behind-the-scenes look and don’t miss *Bravo! (on kykNET channel 144 on DSTV) to see what went down on the day of the shoot. *This Bravo! episode airs on Sunday 13 May at 19:30 on kykNET channel 144 on DSTV with repeats on the following Monday at 10:00 and 22:30, Tuesday at 00:30, Wednesday at 12:00, Thursday at 16:00 and Friday at 15:00.Captions for photographs:The team: From behind, left to right: Hannelie Diedericks (deputy editor), Adelle Jung (make-up), Melissa-Jade Myburgh (assistant), Saadique Ryklief (hair), Michelle Nortje (assistant), Tracey Lange (Bravo!), Leana Clunies-Ross (photographer), Elsa Kruger (journalist), Riaan Hulley (stylist), Her Serene Highness Princess Charlène of Monaco, Martie Pansegrouw (editor).
Erre fashion: From left to right: Carina Louw (Erre), Her Serene Highness Princess Charlène of Monaco, Natasha Jaume (Erre).
For more information contact Martie Pansegrouw (Editor)
Caxton Magazines DNA
Storytelling is our business. Content is our currency. Caxton Magazines is a division of Caxton CTP Printers & Publishers and houses 12 brands in print and digital formats, primarily aimed at the women’s lifestyle segment across life stages, lifestyles and income groups. These brands are: Vrouekeur; Woman & Home; Bona; Living & Loving; People; Food & Home Entertaining; Your Family; Garden & Home; Farmer’s Weekly; Essentials; Rooi Rose and SA Country Life. Visit www.caxtonmags.co.za