28 yourfamily.co.za
‘I
’m not a “dress-up” kind of
woman. I used to wear only
jeans and T-shirts and they
were literally all I had, besides
my uniform,’ explains Renée. ‘But
about five years ago, I’d lost quite a
bit of weight and had gotten rid of
many of my bigger garments, so I
needed a new wardrobe. However,
I wanted professional advice on
what items would make me look
good and suit my body shape. I also
hoped my eyes would be opened to
new styles because my dress sense
has always been shocking!’
In November 2015, Renée saw
a call for participants on Facebook
for a TV make-over show called
Ruil my Styl. Thinking this would be
the perfect opportunity to finally
get the advice she wanted, she
responded to the advert. ‘I was just
taking a chance by entering; I really
didn’t think I’d get far. I hadn’t even
watched the show before because I
didn’t own a TV set.’
However, to her astonishment,
she was chosen to participate. ‘They
sent me the contract to sign a
few days later and it clearly stated
that everything they chose for
me to wear – clothes, shoes and
accessories – would remain their
property. I also had to send them
photos of myself and my clothes,
answer a questionnaire and do a
Skype interview with them, during
which I showed them my wardrobe
and answered questions about
my lifestyle.’
A few weeks later, recording for
the show began. Renée had to take
some of her clothes with her so
they could compare the outfits she
normally wore with the ones they’d
selected for her. ‘When I arrived
at the studio, we recorded some
intro shots. Then I had to try on the
clothes they’d chosen for me, while
the presenter offered tips on what
did and didn’t work. We had a lot of
fun. I loved what they’d selected, as
they kept to the style I’d indicated
in the questionnaire. I told them Iliked colour and local designs, and
wanted items other than T-shirts
that were still practical and trendy.
Everything they chose for me
was perfect, except the shoes.
Unfortunately, there aren’t many
attractive options in a size 9!’ she
laughs. ‘I wish manufacturers would
do something about that.’
Next was hair and make-up, and
the makeover was complete. Then,
just before the day came to an end,
Renée received one more surprise.
‘During the last half hour of filming,
they put two rails of clothing in
front of me. The presenter told me
I could swap anything on my own
rail (the clothes I’d brought with
me) for anything on the rail with
the new clothes. I was taken aback
for a second and asked what they
meant. The presenter confirmed
that I could swap all my clothes for
the ones they’d selected for me. My
jaw dropped! It was a wonderful
surprise. I swapped T-shirts that
had cost me R50 for dresses that
cost more than I’d ever spent on
clothes in a whole year, let alone a
single purchase. After the show, I
researched the prices of the items
I’d received and they were worth
many thousands of rands.’
As part of her job, Renée often
does radio and TV interviews, which
are always about promoting the
company she works for. But during
the makeover show, the attention
was on her instead. ‘I have a
tendency to care for others, rather
than for myself, but I walked out of
there feeling very special. If I hadn’t
decided to apply for the show, I’d
never have had that incredible
experience. It taught me that it’s
important to take a chance now
and again and be bold. Self-care is
essential, whether it’s making time
to read a book or going on holiday.
You have to look after yourself
before you can look after others.
‘But you know what’s really
ironic? I never even got to see the
show, as I still don’t have a TV set!'Wardrobe
Looking for inspiration to spice up her
dull wardrobe, RENÉE LEEUWNER
entered a reality make-over show in 2015.
But she had no idea she’d get to keep all
the clothes in the endbonanza