Dibeela urges local designers to sell their brands beyond Botswana
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Wednesday October 25, 2017 18:00
Speaking at the Media and Stakeholders appreciation meeting held at Lorraine Ntlo Maison at Fairgrounds on Tuesday, Dibeela of Thabie D said there was so much for them beyond the local scenes. She said the only way they could be able to get the recognition they deserve and share their talents was by selling their products to the international fashion industry.
“I have always wanted to bring something different to the local fashion industry. Recently, I took part at the Accra Fashion Show in Ghana where I have learnt a lot from other fashion designers from different walks of live. I met designers from Holland and all over the world whom I learnt a lot from. I am telling other designers that there is so much for us out there. Take your brand out there,” she said.
Dibeela added that it was high time local designers make a name in both the local, regional and international platform. Dibeela showcased her designs at one of the continent’s most glamorous shows, the Accra Fashion Week. The fashion show that is known as one of the biggest fashion festivals in Africa was held early this month where the West African country celebrated its 60 years of independence.
She explained that Ghana was one of the leading countries in Africa in terms of the textile business. She explained that she would like to see local hotel staff wearing clothes made of leteise which is a local fabric just like hotels at Ghana which their staff members wear clothes made of Ghanaian cloths.
“I am dedicated to bringing change in the local fashion industry and through my hard work I have achieved a lot in a short period of time. I have dressed Miss Botswana, set standards for local fashion industry in collaboration with BOBS, chairperson of the interactive committee with the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Culture Development Thapelo Olopeng to ensure that retail stores in Botswana like Ackerman’s and others sell at least half Botswana brands and working with a big show company from South Africa which coordinated Masa Fashion Show 2017,” she said.
Thabie D was launched in April 2012 and it is so far one of the best designer labels that is slowly taking ground and shaping the local fashion scene. Keeping it as close to the slogan “exclusively you” that her label carries, Dibeela’s fashion line exclusively caters for the corporate world.
Dibeela graduated with an honours degree in Fashion Design in 2004 from the famous Durban Fashion Institution, Linea Academy. Her love for fashion started when she was at primary school in Sefhophe, where needlework became her favourite time of class. At the time she did not realise that she would make a living out of sewing. She continued her passion at Gaborone Secondary School as a student in fashion and fabrics.