The African Collections’ Fashion Week of All Nations show will be held at the Cresta Lodge in Gaborone on Saturday.
The project director, Daisy Botsoba-Tlhabologang, said she was inspired by her Setswana culture and lifestyle especially the children’s traditional attire, makgabe, tshega and phaeyana. She added that there will be youth and gender designers at the show. She explained that the criteria for choosing participants was for everyone who is a tailor, designer and dress maker from 19 to 70 years of age.
She added that during the show, the designs will be paraded where a panel of judges will adjudicate for the best three designs. She pointed out that they would be looking for designs borne from active imaginations, showcasing creativity, in-depth knowledge and understanding of fabrics and excellent visualisation skills. “We also aim to reach out and offer a platform to fashion designers and models in all parts of the country and beyond our borders. We believe in living and practicing internationally approved business ethics and norms that distinguish globe from its counterparts.
The event showcases performance skills by local and international artists such as musicians and poets. That is why this year, Cultures Spears will be performing at our event as a way of enhancing the general mood of the celebration,” she explained. Furthermore, Botsoba-Tlhabologang added that the upcoming fashion show is hosted by Starlight Studio in partnership with Duma FM, Altrolink, Cresta Lodge Fairgrounds, International Art Academy and Bravo Marketing.
The event is a cultural fashion show that promotes local designers through fashion art and culture. She also pointed out that in an effort to maintain and go beyond the high standard they set, Starlight Studio continues to seek partnerships with brands which too have over the years established themselves as having similarly high standards. She added that it was not easy to get sponsors but the industry was good in terms of business, culture and youth and gender empowerment. Tickets sell for P2, 500 VIP; P1, 000 for platinum and P250 for a standard ticket.
