Female rugby supporters can now hang up their over-sized rugby jerseys and slip into a sexy Rugby Dress and show their support in style.

Annelie Maré – Die Burger

With the Rugby World Cup around the corner, Ty-Rok have launched their Original Rugby Dress for South African, English, Australian and New Zealand supporters in time for the rugby madness.

Ty Dettmer, the South African entrepreneur behind the design, said she has had the idea for the dress since she was 12-years-old.

“I would always go watch rugby matches with my father and brother, but was never happy with the clothing options given to the female supporters” she said.

“I have always liked pretty, feminine clothing so when my dad suggested to do something to fill the gap in the market I did. Starting with a few basic sketches, finally arriving at the design we have today.

Dettmer, as a young girl was fortunate, along with her family, to travel all over the world. She also studied fine art in Paris and eventually found herself living on the island of Mauritius.

“It was while living in Mauritius that we made some excellent contacts in the textile world and decided to take the leap and the Ty-Rok Original Rugby Dress was born” she said.

Although Ty-Rok dresses are already selling well in New Zealand and the UK, Dettmer has only recently launched in South Africa after re-locating back to Cape Town earlier this year.

The South African version of the dress or ‘Bok-Rok’ is in the traditional green and gold with pink trimming in the collar as well as a feminine pink ‘Springbokkie’ on the left breast.

Dettmer is currently looking for distributors or retailers to stock her dresses in South Africa, but interested parties can purchase their Original Rugby Dress by contacting the company through their website or Facebook page.

The dresses are on sale for a special launch price of R399.

Although she gained recognition as a model after becoming a finalist in the 2010 Sports Illustrated New Model Search, Dettmer says her focus is very much on building her new brand.

“I would like to see us become one of the first international brands specifically aimed at the women’s sports fan market” she explained.