16 Jul 2014

Fashion designers, dressmakers, models and fashion enthusiastic came together at the second annual fashion show under the Presidents Day celebrationsin Gaborone on July 12.

It was a glitz and glamour event that saw Batswana designers showcasing their artistic masterpieces of different materials, inspirational ideas and colours.

Chairperson of the portfolio committee on youth sports and culture, Philip Makgalemela said government was proud to give Batswana a platform and an opportunity to display talent through clothes.

Makgalemela said this initiative helped to unearth talent dominated by young and vibrant Batswana, adding that this determination also enabled them to compete in the fashion international stage as fashion is slowly becoming a major contributor to the economy, hence the need for artistic excellence.

A sizzling performance by Nunu kicked started the event and she dazzled the stage wearing a fashionable dress designed by the renowned Local Design Clothing Company Black Trash.

The fashion show was divided into three categories, namely the Fashion Design category, Dressmaking category and lastly the Fashion Designers’ category.

In Fashion Design category, the fierce and feisty Batswana young men and women models walked the ramp showcasing their poses and catwalk ability in black outfits accessorised with Setswana jewellery. Ranging from bracelets, neck pierces and head gear showing the exuberant blue, white and black colours in the national flag.

Secondly, was the Dressmaking category where fashion enthusiasts saw classical ready to wear couture designs, ranging from exquisite Ankara Traditional Prints, to the inspirational leteisi which is a traditional German Print design, and the mmeto, which is a rough course brown fabric sack which was used for storage.

As music and fashion are perfect fusions to a fashion show, the talented KBoss entertained the crowd with his hit song, Mmagwe Jane.

In addition, the bar was raised when the 3rd category of Designers category took place. The silks incorporated with leteisi, mmeto and mogagolwane (the traditional shawl), prints and stripes were displayed.

The difference between a dressmaker and fashion designer was evident in the clothes and inspirations. As a fashion designer has a particular inspiration or motivation, and the story is told through their line of collection.

Interesting designs inspired by the ploughing seasons, the flag of Botswana during a windy day, the 60s and the Setswana, Herero culture spoke through the clothes as the models walked the ramp.

Also during the show leather bags ranging from women’s trendy hand bags, courage bags, bright fashionable clutch bags and compact bags for men were on display designed by Setso who scooped Best Leather Works in the Presidents Day Celebrations in 2012.

Botho Chalekwa, last year’s winner took a final bow with a high fashion couture collection that incorporated the reds, blacks and sellioete designs.

The moment of truth arrived when these men and women got rewarded for their tireless efforts and work.

Announcing the winners, the head judge, Mr Brian Ramkliawan who is a renowned South African Fashion guru and director of the Cape Town Fashion Week mentioned that this Fashion show and the establishment of the Botswana Designers Association is the beginning of great things to come in this industry.

Further, in the models category females, first place went to Lingani Shadreck, second to Kaone Monamodi and third to Trisia Elias. The males saw Kesogofetse Senna scooping the first position followed by Anthony Sebolai and David Kereng.

In the Dressmaking category, at the top was Julia Kwele, Onkemetse Moagi coming second and thirdly Mariam Ngetai. The Fashion Design saw Lucia Mathumba in third place, Obonetse Dibeela in second and Boitumelo Seroko in first place.

All categories’ first prize was P10 000, second was P8000 and third prize was P6 000.

Dibeela who hails from Kanye village expressed his excitement and said that the whole journey was exciting, scary and a wonderful experience as it was his first ever collection as a professional designer, though he designs for weddings, co-operate and ready to wear clothes.

“I am so excited that I made it to the top three, my inspiration was the traditional huts in our village and the art craft decorations embodied in them. As this was my first debut show next year I promise to be back with a bang,” he said. ENDS