24 Jan 2019

Ms Tshepo Motlotlegi is living her dream as a fashion designer.

Speaking in an interview, the 25-year-old owner of Solo-Rosey, who hails from Lentsweletau, said she started fashion design at a tender age as a hobby.

“I liked to make fabric decorations, drawing doll patterns and making them. I also used to join subject fairs whereby we recycled material to make fabric decorations and I usually came first,” explained Ms Motlotlegi.

She said, to further upgrade the knowledge and skills she was born with, she did Home Economics and Fashion and Fabrics as part of her studies.

Aafter realizing her potential in fashion design, she enrolled at Gaborone Technical College in 2014.

Ms Motlotlegi said her Molepolole-based business included repairing readymade garments, wedding garments and creating her own.

The self-sponsored fashion designer added that individual tailoring is the most profitable and enjoyable job as she is free to explore her talents.

She said her designs differentiated her from other fashion designers, explaining that she also beat her competitors in using floral materials.

“Florals are beautiful, attractive and inspiring. They sell my business because I provide the best service my clients are proud of and I deliver well on time,” she explained.

She said her life had improved since she was now independent.

Ms Motlotlegi thanked her mother who sponsored the business from machinery to start-up capital.

“I am proud of my mother for helping me from being nothing to something by making me realize my dream and I promise I will work hard,” she said.

Her vision was to brand her designed garments Solo-Rosey, and open a factory.

Ms Motlotlegi said she attended fashion Pieree X Model Management for its top model fashion week and Ready to Wear Collection fashion show, which gave her exposure and an opportunity to network with other designers.

Like other businesses,  Ms Motlotlegi said she encountered challenges, among them, people who did not realise the difference between readymade garments and tailoring.

However, she encouraged youth to explore their talents and work on them to improve their livelihood, adding that some people were not academically gifted but they had profound God given talents. ENDS