FWBB gets bigger, better a decade on
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Monday October 14, 2024 10:11
It will be bringing in more exciting events for both young and old fashion designers. This Africa’s fashion and lifestyle movement is expected to bring together more than 20 fashion designers and 45 upcoming models from across the continent, coupled with industry-related workshops to local soils. The event will kick-start with a Fashion Unpacked Masterclass at The Grand Palm themed; A Decade of Diversity Through African Fashion on October 17, 2024 from Kiddies Unpacked Masterclass on October 18, 2024 at the same venue. On the same day, there will also be an Exclusive Kiddies Fashion Show to be held at the Grand Palm Hotel from 5:30pm till 6:30pm. The last event, an Exclusive Fashion Show will be held on October 19, 2024 at the same venue from 6pm till 9:30pm. Tickets are sold for P1, 000 VIP and P500 standard. FWB co-founder at Efigy Productions, Tebo Bakwena-Kabisoso, explained that they are inspired by the fact that fashion has become more of an entertainment aspect rather than becoming a business. She added that the fashion, textile, and clothing industry has an enormous potential to transform lives, particularly for women and youth.
She stated that FWB was held thrice a year, in March (South Africa), September in DR Congo, and October in Botswana. She added that she was hoping to introduce the event to Mozambique this December to showcase the culture-rich events and brand launch activities. Furthermore, she reiterated that she hopes to extend to other African countries. “Despite disruptions, due to lack of sufficient financial support, the fashion industry is slowly beginning to find its feet again. Facilitating a platform that can allow for access to a powerhouse of African Young Designers and continued connection is our number one goal. FWBA intends to change the status quo and can only do this through partnerships, and conversations that will build solid foundations for sustainability in the long run. By forming partnerships on projects, businesses in the fashion and textile industries can reach their full potential, save money, and create something innovative,” she emphasised. Additionally, Bakwena-Kabisoso stated that with the intention aimed at reaching the fashion designers in African regions, with underdeveloped fashion scenes to give them access to the wider market in the African continent, this year’s FWBA would host a blend of new talent, emerging and established names including the first Annual Kiddies Masterclass and showcase collections by local designers, having the youngest and upcoming ones by the likes of MyeshaK, a 10-year-old from Botswana looking to change the world through fashion.
She added that this year, they were collaborating with The Grand Palm Hotel and Casino in celebration of diverse African talent and creativity together with their long-standing partnerships like Grand Palm Hotel, Yarona FM, grooming partner Perfect Choice SA, Legend Barbers, Walkerfella, Mr Price Group, The Voice newspaper, Pholalla, Pongracz, Benini, BDC, Bonela Botswana, MYSC and Mascom Wireless. She explained that such partnerships were what contributed towards the multi-billion-dollar industry; by creating jobs for designers, models, beauticians, make-up artists, producers, textile designers, manufacturers, event organisers, and more. “FWBA is more than just a fashion show, but also a lifestyle event that includes pop-up stalls, industry-related workshops, and opportunities that will allow people to interact with both local and the SADC region designers.
The partnership selections take advantage of opportunities available for the fashion, textile, and clothing industries, which have an enormous potential to transform lives, particularly for women and the youth. Under the theme, ‘Diversity Through African Fashion’, our aim is to highlight and or shine light on issues that are important to the growth of the fashion scene in Africa,’ Bakwena-Kabisoso said.