Nova Nouvelle | The Team
// Creative Director, Marlene de Villiers
My story probably started when I was only 15 years old. Braces, no makeup and oversized heels, I took on the responsibility of planning my very first event. O my goodness, it was nerve-wrecking and I was terrified. Guided by my painfully perfectionistic approach, I cautiously, yet optimistically styled and coordinated my client's wedding (If you were wondering, it was a success. Unfortunately, I was too young to pop open some champagne to celebrate). This event galvanized my passion for event planning and styling, and I never looked back.
In 2013 I graduated with a Diploma in Events and Wedding Coordination at the prestigious Aleit Academy, which included 2 years’ internships. I started my career as an Events and Wedding coordinator. During the 7 years I’ve worked in the industry, I decided to specialize and focus more on event styling. My experiences with coordinating and styling events of different shapes and sizes gave me a clear understanding of its high-pressure environment, and how important it is to keep a cool head. Rule number one: Always expect the unexpected. The lessons I have learned along the way taught me to always work hard and stay focused, while diligently planning every step of the project.
Almost 10 years since the start of my journey in 2010, I decided to start my own company from where I can fully pursue my dreams. Since this decision, every day, every client and every event gives me the opportunity to share my passion for event styling with people. For this I am truly grateful.
My personal interests include spending time with family, exploring new places, finding the best eggs benedict in the country, and of course, a good glass of wine.
Almost 10 years since the start of my journey in 2010, I decided to start my own company from where I can fully pursue my dreams. Since this decision, every day, every client and every event gives me the opportunity to share my passion for event styling with people. For this I am truly grateful.
My personal interests include spending time with family, exploring new places, finding the best eggs benedict in the country, and of course, a good glass of wine.
// Being An Event Stylist
People constantly ask me how it's really like being an event stylist. As an honest and loyal person, I tend to always answer truthfully.
It’s working long hours at once with hardly any sleep.
Its heavy lifting, sunburn, exhausting your daily steps, facing your fear of height; by climbing on scaffolding and ladders.
It’s not sipping on champagne at a cocktail party, but rather topping up a champagne glass for your delegates.
It’s months of planning, just hours of setting up and minutes to breakdown.
It’s meeting the most amazing and interesting people.
It’s playing with fabric, flowers and paints, sometimes fighting with the glue gun.
Its working with other creative souls and finding the people that completely gets you.
It’s putting your heart, creative mind and passion into a design.
It’s meeting clients, getting to know them and ending up in a room filled with your closest friends.
It’s seeing the clients face after they walked in.
It’s when you take the first Instagram photo and you can see the event through the client’s eyes.
It’s when you walk away, turn around for the last glimpse of the room and feel your heart warm up with gratitude.
That is when you know it’s all worth it, there is simply nothing else in this world I will rather do. I hope we get to feel all of this at your event, so don’t stop scrolling now, contact us for your next event.
