Blurring gender lines
Source : Kutlwano
Author : Lucrecia Chima
Location : Gaborone
Event : Interview
Back in the days tailors in Botswana were known to be mostly women and more than half of them self-taught while a few would have learnt the skill from their mothers. Most of them were good in designing school uniforms and mateisi. It was more of a woman thing in that even at secondary school, boys hardly picked on fashion and fabric as elective subjects.
However, such binary opposites are slowly begining to get blurred as more men venture into the fashion design industry which is proving to be one of the highly paying jobs. The desire to dress nicely and look distinctively different has undoubtedly created opportunities for designers across the globe including Batswana.
Batswana no longer view fashion design as exclusively feminine. Males are beginning to enroll for fashion design and make-up courses in large numbers. One can think of male designers such as Smilford and Cloud who can hold their own against the likes of David Tlale of South Africa.
Gone are the days when people would travel miles to get the best designs. The maxim that fashion stays in New York and France only, seems to have been overtaken by events given that Batswana are equally competent in designing magnificent outfits. Fashionista Theo Khumalo of Theo Rags is upbeat at the local industry’s level of growth. He specializes in denim outrageous funky wear.
“Although we are still new in the industry there is hope though some people are still accustomed to foreign designers. We need support to Stylist Buhle of Tswanalyric be able to take advantage of the promising industry.”
Although his intention was to relocate to the UK, he has given it a second thought. Instead, Theo’s intention is to intensify his marketing strategies to reach out to external markets. So far he has been able to showcase some of his range in local shows and is working on participating at international level.
“Botswana has got untapped talent that the world is looking for. Our biggest assignment is marketing ourselves,” opines Theo.
Not to be outdone, Black Trash director, Gertrude Mogojwe, also hails growth of the local industry, saying such has been evidenced by the media coverage fashion shows receive as well as emergence of fashion magazines besides sponsors’ interest in the shows.
“Initially it was slow but the designers’ commitment and efforts have seen it (fashion industry) grow from strength to strength. People engage us to dress them for various events,” remarks Gerty.
Batswana designers also receive orders from other countries such as the UK and South Africa. Fashion shows catapulted the local industry to international status and Gerty says the growth is also marked by the emergence of male designers. “Before, we were pushing women’s wear only but now men too appreciate fashion.
Today men wear harem pants and go all out to wear colourful shirts and pants,” says Gerty. It is also worth noting that Batswana are continuously making a mark in international meets and such evidence is not hard to find because the local industry has now gone beyond catwalks to add accessory designs. The likes of Mpho Kuaho, Thato of Teez each an opportunity to display their work to an international audience, some for the first time.
The quartet comprise Kutlwano and Gertrude Mogojwe of Black trash, Buhle Mguni of Tswana Lyrics, Botho Chalebgwa of Botocy and Thato Tlhagwane of Teez completed the lineup for this year’s London fashion week (held last month).
The names are not unfamiliar to fashion lovers as they have exhibited their works in several fashion shows. The four were selected during the Botswana Fashion week held in Gaborone last year. Unlike some of their peers who always complain about unemployment, the youngsters engage and create job opportunities for other young people. Kutlwano and Gerty’s creations have been hailed by many for bringing the latest and different trends to an edgiest individual.
They target middle aged, metropolitan living contemporary lifestyle. They enjoy international recognition and have been interviewed on SABC 2, Studio 53. They have also provided wardrobe for prolific personalities such as Mnet presenter Noxy Mavundhla, 21 Miss Botswana contestants, Miss Botswana queen, Lorato Tebogo, Miss Malaika, to mention but a few.
These two inspired young minds are destined for bigger things given their fervor for designs. The quartet comprise Kutlwano and Buhle of TswanaLyric is determined to broaden the scope of African fashion and take it to international Gertrude Mogojwe of Black trash, Buhle levels while continuing to push boundaries further. Mguni of Tswana Lyrics, Botho Chalebgwa She is also a stylist and make-up artist. Buhle is of Botocy and Thato Tlhagwane of Teez DTC Shining Awards winner 2011/12 and also 2010 KBL Kickstart Top 10 finalist.
Her striking accessories are made from anything that happens to come close to her hands and has worked with various designers. Also, Buhle’s works have featured in events such as Colour in the Desert Fashion week 2011, Alliance Francaise Culture Day and London Fashion Week 2012.
Botho of Botocy was crowned the designer of the year during Colour in the Desert fashion week. She made a name during her student days in South Africa as some of her works were featured in several fashion shows. With Oscar De la Renta London fashion week.
as her international role model, Botho’s enthusiasm for the craft will definitely take her places.
Thato of Teez has been rocking the ramps with his incredible men’s wear. The thick-skinned, charismatic young designer’s works definitely rocked the London affair. The designers’ participation must have breathed a new life in their careers to reach international markets. Already Botswana prides herself with the likes of London based Koketso Chiepe, Berly Phala and Sela Motshwane, among others.
Teaser:
The quartet comprise Kutlwano and Gertrude Mogojwe of Black trash, Buhle Mguni of Tswana Lyrics, Botho Chalebgwa of Botocy and Thato Tlhagwane of Teez completed the lineup for this year’s
