Of fashion gurus, beautiful girls and tasty photos

GASEBALWE SERETSE
Staff Writer | Friday July 6, 2007 00:00

 

Goodwill and Entaile look like they have jumped out of a fashion magazine and one would be tempted to call them fashion gurus, at least by local standards. They talk about fashion and fashion photography with passion and it is evident that they know what they are talking about.

Tru Blu was established in 2004, and when the duo announced that they were going to be mainly fashion photographers, many were sceptical but they were not deterred.
Tru Blu then gave birth to the popular column 'Fashion Twinz' that appears in The Voice newspaper. The column gave them mileage that ensured they became leading fashion consultants in the country.

'Today, I can confidently declare that 'Fashion Twinz' is the most visible and felt fashion column in the country,' says Goodwill.

When the two started the magazine, the idea was to be different and unique and this proved a real challenge. Potential clients were reluctant to place adverts in the glossy magazine because some felt that it was not addressing issues of interest to them. At the moment, the 'fashionistas' have not published their summer edition because of financial constraints.

When quizzed if the pictures of 'semi-naked' young women in the magazine were not chasing away potential clients, the duo defended their 'sexy and appealing' approach saying that it is their style and they do not want to change.

The photographers are not happy that some Batswana pretend that they do not like pictures of scantily dressed women in local newspapers and magazines and yet they ogle at foreign papers and magazines that are just like Tru Blu. 

Goodwill and Entaile are adamant that Botswana is not conducive for the arts and that if one does not have a popular surname, it is unlikely that she or he will make it in the business. 'You would be tempted to believe that if you don't have a big surname and a background of influence you won't make it in this country,' says Goodwill.

'Sometimes the going is tough and what you need to know is that if you are fainthearted you will quit,' adds Entaile.

The directors of Tru Blu say they have not secured any grant or loan from local financial institutions and they started business with personal funds.

Despite the challenges, the two say they have a good fan base and mostly they get positive feedback from people outside the country. One of their latest achievements is the Tru Blu Photo Exhibition, which is currently running at the National Museum. The exhibition is sponsored by the National Museum, Incredible Connection, Five Roses and The Voice newspaper. It showcases a collection of exquisite photos captured by the lenses of the duo's cameras ever since 2004.

The two are now confident that the Tru Blu brand has become one of the most influential elements of visual expression in Botswana and abroad.

Entaile and Goodwill say they will soon launch a fashion label, which they swear will be different from others.

'I am not trying to dismiss anyone, man, but listen to me. Most of our guys here in Botswana just buy readymade clothes and put their brands on them and then they claim that they designed the clothes. We will be a genuine fashion label,' Goodwill promises.
The young entrepreneur says they will have a haute couture line that will be for those who have a taste for designer clothes and the commercial line that will cater for all.
The duo is looking at re-launching their magazine. They promise that they will come back bigger and better.

 The new look magazine will have a new editorial team and the young artists believe that it will cement their staying power in the market.