29 Nov 2016

Introducing African full figure, a programme founded by one Goratamang Tlholang with the aim of promoting local fashion designers has this past Saturday thrilled fashion lovers in Masunga by bringing to them a fashion show dubbed, the Big, the Bold and the Beautiful.

When responding to a question from BOPA on to why she chose Masunga for the activity, Tlholang said she realised that Masunga was lacking behind in terms of promoting its local fashion designers.

She said she also noticed that people in the North East district use designers in Francistown for their wedding gowns and traditional attire while there were  local fashion designers in their region.

Tlholang said with her findings she then went to Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Culture Development to pitch her idea of advertising the North East region fashion designers and the ministry funded her to host the fashion show and festival.

The Big, the Bold and the Beautiful fashion festival included plus-size models. When commenting on the reason for choosing the models, she said it was a strategy to get the attention of the local community as people were used to seeing models with slim bodies.

The show was a unique one as it catered for government funded youths from Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Culture Development, Gender Affairs, poverty eradication beneficiaries, and those that were not beneficiaries.

The show was a thrill as the participating fashion designers had stunning designs to show  coupled by their models that did not disappoint as they took to the stage and brought about whistles and ululations from the audience.

The show also gave an opportunity to outstanding designers to walk away with some prizes.

Thandiwe Major, a Masunga resident of Major Fashion Designers walked away with P2000 cash as her first prize, with Ontiretse Malane of Wandithamila Clothing who operates at Mosojane scooping position two and walking away with P1700 cash prize.

The third prize was taken by Chazha Sola of Mosojane who got herself P1500 for her artwork.

The show also gave local artists an opportunity to showcase their talents. Local artists and Disc Jockeys gave astonishing performances, with Mlesho giving the local community a great show stopper with his hit song Tlhomela. ENDS