Bagwasi however believes that passion and natural talent need polishing up if one is to get satisfaction and be proud of her/his work and - most importantly - ensure that customers get good value for their money.
In an interview with Art & Culture, Bagwasi noted that she has always been interested in fashion designing, explaining that she developed a love for the vogue sector while at secondary school.
To pursue her chosen career, in 1995 Bagwasi decided to enrol with Jwaneng Vocational Training Centre for a dressmaking course, which has since been renamed Fashion Designing, graduating with a National Craft Certificate four years later. Bagwasi did not go into business immediately as she joined an established designer to acquire more skills. After acquiring practical experience in running economic ventures, she decided to start her own business, Fashion Focus in Tlokweng.
That was in 2001. She says because she did not want to restrict herself, she does everything from wedding gowns, bride maids' attires, men's suits, to corporate wear, "or just about anything that will suit my clientele's taste". Bagwasi, as a traditionalist, of course does Setswana attires as well. She takes pride in her designs, and music lovers familiar with the traditional group Culture Spears, have probably seen some of her products. Bagwasi excitedly informed Arts & Culture that the lovely evening gown won by Magdalene Lesolebe, the lead singer, during the Botswana Music Union (BOMU) awards, was one of her many eye-catching designs, adding that she even designed the two-piece won by another group member, Lydia Oile.
She further informed Arts & Culture that she also designs part of the attire that the women in the group wear during most performances, adding that the group members do most of the work, and she adds the beadwork. An elated Bagwasi states that she enjoys doing beadwork, be it in formal evening gowns or just simple traditional wear.
Bagwasi's designs do not only end with celebrities. She told Arts & Culture that she has also done designs for different government departments after winning tenders. For example, she has previously designed prisons combat uniforms, capes for the Ministry of Health, and aprons for State House staff, just to mention a few.
Bagwasi noted that while it is important to do designs that one believes will be appreciated by the market, it is equally important for a designer to be able to work well with clients, making sure the "client ends up with a product that will satisfy him or her".
Bagwasi said she has employed four full-time staff at her workshop, and has a number of casuals whom she calls whenever she has a lot of work that must be done to meet deadlines.
She said she is striving for her business to grow so she can create more employment opportunities for fellow Batswana.
