My dad was a flight engineer on Liberator bombers during World War II and afterwards a pilot in the SAAF’s 110 Squadron. He was also a Founding member and Chairman of the Swellengrebel Flying Club in Swellendam, South Africa. With this background and his meticulous attention to detail, whether in the way he dressed, presented himself, or maintained his environment – I was inspired to strive for excellence throughout my entire life. My mum, too, had an immense influence on who I would become. She was a fashionable woman who painted her nails the colour of her planned outfit the evening before. She also created exquisite needlework and worked as the tailor for a local boutique for years during my childhood.
I share this same love for clean, orderly surroundings. I cannot paint unless my studio is clean and neat, with everything in its place. My clothes hang steamed and colour-coded in my closet, my accessories organised as orderly as a boutique display. To me these aren’t just habits, but the foundation from which my creativity flows.
The Turning Point
For most of my life, I thought I was wrong for being so meticulous in what I do and how I want my environment to be. I second-guessed myself, wondering if I was too rigid and too demanding. Then came the revelation that changed everything: it all depends on the motivation.
If your pursuit of order comes from a place of fear, anxiety, or the need to control, it becomes suffocating. This kind of perfectionism is neither good for you nor the people around you.
But when this desire comes from self-respect, gratitude for what you have, and genuine regard for others, it transforms into something beautiful. It becomes excellence – a celebration rather than a burden. In feng shui, clutter is believed to block the flow of life energy, negatively influencing every aspect of life. Living in an organised, intentional environment is not merely aesthetic, but healthy for the mind and soul.
Crafting Your Life
As a stylist, artist, and fashion designer, I have a deep appreciation for everything made with excellence – whether it is a building that stands the test of time, a car engineered with precision, or beautifully constructed clothes, shoes, and handbags. Craftsmanship is the creation of unique, high-quality items through skilled, often handmade processes that emphasise longevity and artistry over mass production.
But here’s the beautiful truth: you can apply this same philosophy to crafting your own life.
Excellence in living means:
- Honouring your space as a reflection of your inner world
- Choosing quality over quantity in possessions, relationships, and experiences
- Taking pride in the details without letting them control you
- Creating with intention rather than reacting from fear
- Respecting the process as much as the outcome
The difference between excellence and perfectionism is freedom. Excellence says, “I will do my best with care and attention.” Perfectionism says, “It must be flawless or it’s worthless.”
Excellence on a budget
Let’s be honest, it is far easier to achieve excellence when you have a lot of money, but there are many things you can accomplish on a minimum budget too.
Personal grooming – Always see that your hair is clean and well-cut. Take care of your skin: you needn’t use the most expensive products, what you can afford will help tremendously. Apply your make-up well – watch YouTube tutorials if you are unsure. Keep your nails short and neat, rather than chipped or badly painted. Take care of your feet: you will be surprised at how many people notice them first. And very important, maintain good oral hygiene. You want to smile with confidence.
Clothes – Clean, ironed, well-fitting clothes look better than the most expensive garments that do not fit, or are wrinkled. Ensure that all your buttons are sewn on securely and hems are intact – Youtube offers excellent tutorials for basic alterations. Keep your shoes clean and polished! Consider dyeing clothes that still fit well and are in good condition but have faded. I regularly dye previously black jeans that have faded to grey, giving them new life.
Manners and Presence – Polite manners and good posture are priceless. I used to see an elderly gentleman regularly on Fridays wearing a linen suit and fedora, cane in hand. His clothes were definitely old, but always impeccably clean. What impressed me most was his air of sophistication and grace. It always brought me such joy to observe him.
Education and self-improvement – Stop endless scrolling and start reading books that enhance your knowledge, language skills, or imagination. Also, begin reading food labels to understand what you’re consuming – your body deserves that attention too.
Remember: Excellence isn’t about how much you spend; it’s about the care and attention you give to yourself and how you present yourself to the world.
If you, like me, have spent years wondering if your attention to detail makes you difficult or demanding, consider this your permission slip: there is nothing wrong with wanting excellence in your life. There is beauty in the care you take, the standards you uphold, the way you honour your surroundings and yourself.
And let my dad’s words be a constant reminder to you, as to me: “ I have always believed that whatever I do, how humble the job may be, if I do it as well as I can, it is noble.”