In an interview with Arts&Culture, the event’s co-founder Tebo Bakeena-Kabisoso explained that the objective of the event was to assist communities’ efforts to provide women and young people with skills and motivation to participate in the socio-economic development.
She also said they want to empower young women to participate in the economic development space particularly those from the disadvantaged areas in Botswana and the rest of the African continent.
She stated that outside the objective of generating revenue for its members, Efigy Productions is also inspired by the desire to create sustainable Development Initiatives that would influence positively the communities where its operations were undertaken. She added that it was therefore at once a Commercial Enterprise and a Community Development Initiative.
“FWBB’s unique ability to turn clients’ concepts into multimedia content and successful record of accomplishment in brand management through pageantry and fashion shows makes it an invaluable partner.
Over the past years, we have seen models who participated in FWBB being signed to top agencies in Africa (Boss Model Management) and designers being able to supply their garments to major brand stores like Be Seen in the Eastern Cape, Burgundy Fly in Menlyn Mall RSA and Zando online stores and the Mr Price through FWBB Internship Programme that runs yearly taking on three designers who participate in the platform FWBB and now adding on to 2023 CTM Africa.
Through strategic partnerships with our shareholders and sponsors, FWBB designers and models have been able to participate and network on international platforms as well as getting first-hand experience in their chosen fields,” she pointed out. Furthermore, she indicated that FWBB stakeholders include: Bricks Fashion Summit, Uyo Fashion Forward- Nigeria, Kinsasha Fashion Week, Soweto Fashion Week, Gauteng Fashion Council, Menlyn Fashion Week, Soweto Fashion Week, Gauteng Experience and others. Additionally, Bakeena-Kabisoso emphasised that the aim of FWBB this year is to focus on the business aspect of the fashion industry, the production of quality garments and the cultural exchange of ideas between SADC member countries. She pointed out that since its inception, FWBB has empowered a number of youth by incorporating their different skills and arts into the event. Designers who will showcase at the main event tomorrow include Black Excellence, Myesha-K, Glotto, La-Letsatsi Creations and Jrgletph all from Botswana while fashion artists from South Africa who will be showcasing their talents include Enhle Babes Couture, FOB Human Store and Joszyby R. The organisers had also lined up a Fashion and Arts Exhibition on Thursday at the National Museum where local fashion designers such as Wabi-Sabi, Josh Outfits, Glotto, Feura and Exclusive Designs were scheduled to showcase. There will also be a Fashion Unpacked Master Class this morning (Friday, October 20, 2023 at Grand Palm Hotel from 10am till 2pm. Tickets for tomorrow’s event are sold at P500 standard and P1,000 VIP.
