Disabled models leave audience spellbound

Barati Mathambo
Correspondent | Wednesday May 29, 2013 00:00

 

The fashion show had participants from schools like Aerodrome and Phatlhogo Primary schools, Centre of Deaf and Lentswe la Ba na le Bogole Association.The first ever fashion show of its kind to be held in Francistown for people living with disability, it brought the most extravagant, chic and stylish fashion designs from the local fashion designing industry together.To say the show was eye-catching would be an understatement looking at the intermittent ululations from the audience that cheered its voice hoarse. In a nutshell, the models did what they knew best on the ramp, leaving an indelible mark in the memories of the audience in the process.

It was certainly a multi-faceted statement by the reigning Miss Independence, Goitseone Tshimologo, who came up with the show that she dubbed 'I'm fashion abled'.'This fashion show was a way of showing that disabled people have the right to everything as well and they do not need to shy away from the public because of their disabilities,' she said.Tshimologo stated that with this fashion show they would be able to provide a platform for people living with disabilities to showcase their talents.

'This was also to encourage fashion designers to consider and cater for people living with disabilities and to encourage positive living amongst themselves (the disabled),' she said.More often, she said, disabled people are never given an opportunity to showcase themselves adding that they are also faced with many daunting challenges.'These challenges include discrimination, unfavourable societal and countless barriers and they end up living in isolation,' she said.

Local fashion designers Fashion Tips, Mosgape Jeans, Simba Designers, Kappeb Designers, Murch Designers, Opposite Designers and Francistown We Go Hard T-shirts dressed the models.Gwap Goons, Querap, Madala and the Mad Girls, Question Mark and DJ Slim had the audience in their feet with beautiful tunes.The event was sponsored by Senn Foods, Dikgang Publishing Company (Mmegi/Monitor), Golden Brands, Ngwana Enterprise, Adansonia Hotel, Tati River Lodge, and Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVA).