She repurposed her mother’s bed sheets into dresses, cut up her father’s shirts to experiment with designs, and used mmitlwa (a thorn) instead of a sewing needle. Now, at 26-years-old, she has turned that childhood passion into Lokieden Creations, a brand she believes will make a difference beyond just fashion. In an interview with Arts&Culture, Vanstaden shared: “I remember making jewelry from glass, wires, leaves, and even outfits from plastic and newspapers. I would parade as if I was in a fashion show. Even now, I can’t explain where this love for fashion comes from because nobody taught me this. The only explanation is that it’s all God.” Her journey from childhood experiments to becoming a Miss Botswana 2024 Top 10 finalist and launching a recognised fashion brand has been marked by resilience. In 2019, her parents bought her a small sewing machine, and she started dressing her family. Then came the COVID-19 lockdown, and with it, an unexpected opportunity to make face masks. Demand grew, and she received orders from as far as Orapa and Gaborone. Yet, despite realising she had the potential to build a business, self-doubt held her back. “I was hesitant because I had only completed Form 5,” she admitted. “So, I continued dressing myself and my family,” she added. That changed in 2020 when her family moved back to Werda. Her work caught people’s attention, and soon, she was creating outfits for clients in her hometown. Lokieden Creations was officially born. The brand’s name is deeply personal, combining her name, Lokie, with the last three letters of her surname, Vanstaden. “I chose this name because it represents a young woman full of ambition, someone who never looked down on herself despite coming from a poor or average background. I prayed over this name that I may be the first millionaire in my family,” she said.
Her dedication to her craft often traveling with her sewing machine and fabric caught the attention of the Miss Botswana Organisation and Lucara Botswana. Their collaboration saw her dressing the pageant’s Top 10 finalists and reigning queen, Anicia Gaothusi. “The collaboration is nothing short of a blessing because I wasn’t expecting it,” she said. “It made me feel like I belong and that I can dress even the biggest people in Botswana and outside the country,” she added. Through Miss Botswana, she has also connected with established designers such as TruD Designs and Nitar Brands. Last year she also took on the challenge of designing her outfit for the Miss Botswana grand finale, further proving her commitment to her craft. Despite her growing success, Vanstaden’s journey has not been without challenges. Financial constraints, lack of proper equipment, and limited access to social media have all posed difficulties. “Being a breadwinner meant that whatever amount I made went to household expenses, so the business wasn’t growing,” she explained. “I had clients, but at the end of the month, I had nothing to show. Also, I’ve always relied on Sedilame [a basic mobile phone], and when I do get a smartphone, it’s usually second-hand and doesn’t last long,” she said. Yet, she remains determined. She envisions opening a fashion house in Werda that will eventually expand into a factory, creating employment opportunities. More than that, she wants her brand to empower others. “My brand is not just about making money but about making a difference in society,” she said.
“I want to help individuals in the creative industry establish themselves,” she added. One of her long-term goals is launching Pillar of Hope, a project she has already started within her family by equipping her mother, sisters, and niece with sewing skills. The initiative aims to empower women and girls who have faced challenges such as abuse, teenage pregnancy, and dropping out of school. “Pillar of Hope and Lokieden Creations resonate with who I am and the values I stand for,” she said. “Lokieden Creations is not just about me making it big in the industry but about making a difference while making it big,” she said. Her advice to aspiring designers is clear: “Put God first in everything. This industry is not for the weak. Be passion-driven, be dedicated to your work, and be your authentic self. Don’t try to fit in, stand out, and your journey will be one of a kind.”
