05 May 2016

With only few hours left to the Fashion Without Borders (FWB) designers road show tomorrow, designers are putting finishing touches on the clothes to be showcased during the event.

Fashion designers will bring their clothing line to the Three Dikgosi Monument at the Central Business District, Gaborone at an event that will see models walking the ramp clad in designs that highlight transformation of the country’s fashion industry from 1966 to today hence the theme: Trends of the Decade, Celebrating 50 years of Botswana’s Independence.

One of the event organisers, Tebo-Bakwena Kabisoso of Efigy Productions Management said in an interview that the show will not only give fashion designers platform to showcase their creativity but it will also celebrate transformation of the country’s fashion industry.

“We have decided to use 50 models to highlight the country’s big number. We will also highlight the transformation of the country’s fashion industry from 1966 to today,” she said.

The youthful Mboko Basiami and Sadi Simanyana of Glotto formed part of the team that will be showcasing their designs. The duo who specialise in urban apparel said they have gone all out to satisfy requirements of the theme.

They noted with confidence that they have used old Kutlwano magazines and other archives for inspiration in terms of colour and cloth texture.

“We are making everything from scratch. We have done a lot of research as we take the event serious,” said Basiami.

She hailed the FWB as a marketing strategy for them since they were budding designers who also hoped to learn a lot from other designers.

The young designers have heightened aspirations of turning around the fashion industry locally. 

Basiami said the industry is currently flooded with elegant gowns which one cannot wear after the event.

She explained that by specialising in minimalist urban street styles, the intention was to design something that is ready to wear on any given day.

Another designer who will be part of the show is Lame Chilume, the brains behind Switch Couture. 

Having been in the industry for 10 years, Chilume has found love in working with textured fabrics and earthy colours.

To tap from the theme which celebrates the country’s fashion trends, she said she has added a touch of Botswana colours.

This will be Chilume’s second appearance at the FWB show. She noted that the event has given her a platform for growth given that her designs got to feature in international television stations such as the SABC and the ANN7.

Those attending the event will also get to sample Boitumelo Seboko’s designs. 

The award winning designer said she has decided to use leteisi or german print in her designs as it defines Setswana culture. 

She said leteisi has always been and is still used in traditional events and has been able to adapt to modern designs.

Seboko will showcase 10 items for men and ladies wear. 

She expressed hope that the show will give her an opportunity to exchange notes as well as learn how other designers play around with fabrics and shades of colours. Ends