Fashion Without Borders brings buyers from Mr Price Group and Edcon group
GOSEGO MOTSUMI
Brainchild of the annual Fashion Without Borders (FWB), Tebo Bakwena says this year’s event scheduled for the 7th of April at Avani Hotel and Casino, Gaborone will showcase creative and quality garments aimed at appealing to international buyers. Under the theme ‘’Pret – a – Porter’’, (which means ready-to-wear) the spring and summer collections are designed for mass production rather than made to measure. This year’s show show will host household names in the local fashion industry as well as up and coming designers.
“We would like to move away from fashion being seen as entertainment but rather building sustainable brands that can create job opportunities and sell the Botswana Brand. That’s why we fought to bring buyers from the Mr Price Group and Edcon group,” said Bakwena who added that fashion lovers can look forward to quality work, great workmanship, as well as the most talented designers in the Botswana scene.
Commenting on the this year’s crop of designers Bakwena revealed that since its inception, FWB has made it a point to empower a good number of youth by incorporating their different skills and arts into the show. She says they believe in giving the youth a chance and mentoring them on the job, including helping them to register their brand as a businesses and giving them mentorship and guidance on how to become entrepreneurs.
This year the event has attracted a record numebr of designers who will be showcasing over two days: the 6th April (Fashion Meets Poetry) at the National Museum and Monuments and the main event on the 7th of April at Avani Hotel and Casino.