17 Feb 2016

Fashion designers might soon be able to sell their products in chain stores across the country.

This is a desire driven by both the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture as well as Botswana fashion design practitioners.

This was made known during a meeting where the Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture, Mr Thapelo Olopeng, had called fashion designers to share views, experiences and map way forward regarding development of the fashion industry sector.

After the meeting, a structure made of representatives from modelling, dress making and fashion design was set up to engage chain stores. Mr Olopeng underscored the need for quality, noting that Batswana should  meet the quality required by chain stores.

“If you meet the quality part, I will fight your battles, but if you are unable to meet the quality they require, I don’t think I will be able to help,” said the minister. Mr Olopeng said, though many in the industry had natural talents, it was important for them to augment those talents with the technical expertise from relevant institutions.

He said some educational institutions were offering courses in creative industries, such as Oodi College of Applied Science and Technology, University of Botswana and Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, among others.

The minister therefore said it was anticipated that these educational institutions would  produce the relevant cadres required and further encourage the development of subsequent industries to support them.

And Mr Olopeng said since the inclusion of fashion design, dress making and modelling categories in President's Day competitions in 2013, notable developments were visible in the industry.

As a sign of growth, he said some Batswana designers and models participated in the international arena and won some competitions. However, attendees decried too much red tape and bureaucracy when they want to acquire funds to grow their businesses. Ends