colour in the desert return underway

MPHO TLALE
Staff Writer | Thursday August 23, 2012 00:00

 

The event  organised by Mpho Kuaho and Tsoseletso Magang  is expected to  display the creative talents of participating designers and models;  local and international designers from  Zambia, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Nigeria, Angola and South Africa will showcase their designs at CITDFW.CITDFW Publicity Director,  Mothusi Lesolle says he anticipates the fashion week will be a success:  'In total, we are expecting a total of 30 designers. Out of these designers,  18 are local and the remaining 12 are from outside the country. Unless any last minute emergencies crop up,  all the designers who we expect to showcase their designs will be present at the event,' says Lesolle.

Local designers who will participate in the fashion week include; Mpho Kuaho, Sweetie Lobelo, Florence Radiseng, Theo Khumalo, Delayna Scott, Kegomoditswe Chibane, Lindiwe Keitz, Lesedi Ramatlapeng and Thato Mokgadi amongst others.The international  designers who will be a part of CITDFW designers are:  South African designers Gert Coetzee, Thula Sindi, Dax Martin  and Paledi Segapo;  Taibo Barker and Joyce Chimanye from Mozambique. Others include Frank Osodi from Nigeria, Nadir Tati from Angola, Mustafa Hassanali from Tanzania, Mahlet Afetework from Ethiopia and Towani Clarke from Zambia.

The CITDFW is aimed at developing a quality fashion industry and (fashion) culture in Botswana which is why organisers  have engaged upcoming  local designers to showcase their work.  'Some of these designers were chosen about two months after they submitted story boards of their work.  CITDFW also serves to encourage stakeholders in the clothing and textile industry to make use of local manufacturing companies,' explained Lesolle.The theme for this year's show, Colour In The Desert, is the same as last year's because it is a fairly new concept considering the fact that the first one was held last year.

'We haven't changed the theme so that people have the chance to  understand it and  become comfortable and familiar with it,' said Lesolle.  Lesolle said by next week, organisers will be putting the final touches to preparations for what promises to be a very exciting fashion week: models will do their final rehearsals, and all the international designers will arrive in Gaborone.