02 Oct 2014

Lights, camera’s, models and a burst of creativity roared the busy streets of Independence Avenue in Gaborone, on Friday evening (September 26). This was one of the biggest fashion shows to celebrate Botswana’s Independence in style.

Over 20 fashion designers brought their ingenious side by modernising the ever so evolving Setswana couture while models walked the ramp to show case this year’s Botswana Independence Celebrations Botswana Jwa me Fashion Show.

The show saw models from all corners of this country from Kanye to Francistown, From Ghanzi to Gaborone infusing different cultures and modern clothing with one of Botswana’s signature look the German Print.

To even celebrate the heritage of culture the evening comprised Andante Choir which sang some of the classical traditional chorals including the likes of Sedibeng sa Botshelo, O Mamela Molao to incorporate fashion with its musical roots. The resident DJ Sly also entertained the crowd with the decks.

In the first category,  models cat walked in the general category to showcase designers clothing lines.

Khumo Tsae from Morwa exhibited a more classical funky look incorporating the German Print with some raffles and adding a modern twist of mogagolwane or the traditional Setswana shawl strapped to the tops and shoes. Also she gave the average Motswana woman a corporate look using the blue leteisi of different fabrics.

In addition the show saw designers such as Aobakwe Molosiwa setting the bar high with international standard designs high fashion couture, added with a touch of silk, cashmere materials and some see through dresses and bubbly navy tops. The designer’s inspiration was celebrating feminine through clothing.

Other interesting designs were by Oboneetse Dibeela who is one of Botswana’s promising designers when he embraced culture and elegance with angelic and goddess dresses accessorised and added blues and also a blue mask to his models to add an element of creativeness.

Accessories such as the walking stick, a horn and a bell were infused in the fashion show to show that Setswana fashion is limitless.

Other designers even designed their own shoes and head gears which also included the tukwi that most women wore during the evolution of fashion in Botswana. Mammy Molapo from Gaborone also added some bright yellows and limes to her designs.

Kago Dingalo also catered for the average Motswana man who wants to dazzle up his wardrobe whilst celebrating Botswana with modern Capri leteisi shorts.

The second and third set saw the designers infusing, colour, vibrancy and originality to their designs and the two 15 year old Fashion Twins Alice and Teresa Jonas adding a modern twist of stomach cropped tops and body suits.

For his part, the chairman of the Botswana’s Fashion Designers Association Gregory Lebekwe mentioned that this shows significance of growth and development in the local fashion industry.

“We wanted to celebrate fashion in the streets and bring it to Batswana so they can come and witness, it is a growing industry and most of our designers are on the international market so its events like these we show Batswana the potential, talent and creativity that this country has to offer”, said Lebekwe.

The show was one of the Botswana Independence Celebrations as the country will be celebrating 48 years of Independence with style, fashion, music and performing arts to showcase and unearth tale. Ends