31 Mar 2016

Fashion lovers were treated to a spectacle by five local designers who showcased at the first Mascom Fashion Show held prior to the annual Mascom derby in Maun over the Easter holidays.

The fashion designers showcased under the theme: Rustic look which is synonymous to the horse derby cowboy style, displaying a wide range of modern and African inspired clothing by models of Fashion Without Borders.

The designers included Maungo Ditshwane of Maun whose designs are inspired by the Herero designs, Wame Ledimo who once won Reds Africa awards of Maun, Tebogo Nthatho of Open Button Brand in Maun, Boitumelo Seboko of Ramotswa who has showcased as far as Canada and the Francistown duo of Oganne Oitsile and Gift Lajani of Apara clothing. 

The president of Botswana Fashion Designers Association, Gregory Lebekwe said in an interview that there was talent in the local fashion design and modeling which required nurturing.

Lebekwe said the Mascon fashion show offered a platform to the growth of the fashion and modeling industry.

He noted that the northern parts of Botswana, especially Ngamiland and Chobe, had potential models with favourable heights as attested by the renowned Kaone Kario and the 2015 model winner Emmanuel Kayenda of Kasane who is currently signed with Boss modeling.

He said the fashion designers association was formed in 2013 and aimed at developing the country’s fashion industry and to bridge the gap in fashion design.

Ditshwane said she was grateful for the platform offered by Mascom, adding that she had gained exposure as evidenced by those who showed interest in her designs by placing orders after the show.

She said her designs were mainly inspired by the Herero dress designs.

Another designer, Seboko said her designs were inspired by the environment and current events hence the application of the African print and beige colours.

She said the fashion industry was showing growth despite some challenges.

Mascom chief communications officer, Tebogo Lebotse Sebego said the Mascom fashion show was staged to nurture the arts and culture industry as well as giving back to the Maun community. ENDS