Many know Teshawn Miller as one of Botswana’s top male models. Now the versatile artist has a new stint on television called Fashion District BW in hopes to help grow the fashion industry.
Showbiz took the time to chat with Miller about his new undertaking, which has a slot in the new popular Botswana Television (Btv) show, Pula Power.
“Basically, Fashion District BW was born out of a show that I present every Saturday on Yarona FM. In the show we chat to different personalities in the local fashion industry and we also talk about new fashion trends,” he said.
He realised that radio was not doing enough to deliver the effect needed to reach the audience, but television would.
“On radio we just chat about stuff and people don’t get to see what we are talking about, but with television it’s different because there are visuals and thus I saw the need to start Fashion District BW,” Miller said.
The model sees himself as a voice in the fashion industry, hence the show.
He describes Fashion District BW as an interactive show, which exposes previously hidden talents.
“The show helps boost profiles of many personalities in the fashion industry such as designers, stylists, models, make-up artists and bloggers, which I believe is a good thing. Previously talented people in the industry didn’t have a platform to showcase their works, but Fashion District BW gives them the right tool to do so,” he said.
The ambitious Miller said that he hopes to see Fashion District BW brand grow to greater heights as he intends to host events, which will help cultivate the fashion industry.
The events will include fashion awards, fashion markets and fashion seminars.
“People in the fashion scene need to educate each other about the industry before we reach out and educate Batswana,” he said.
Because of passion for fashion, Miller explained that he made some sacrifices to see the industry grow. One of his dreams is to see Fashion District BW having its own independent prime time slot on Btv soon.
“So far I have had people calling me saying they really love the show and this is very encouraging because I also give my all to make it a good show,” he said.
The show has also helped industry players from outside the country to monitor what is happening in the local fashion scene, he said.
Even the corperate sector is watching. To that end, Miller has since been appointed by Mercedes Benz Fashion Festival as a Botswana ambassador.
The invitation entitles him to take two fashion designers to their fashion festival to be held in Accra, Ghana in May this year.
“I have chosen two local fashion designers to accompany me to the fashion festival and they are Aobakwe Molosiwa and Kaone Moremong whom I believe are some of the leading proactive designers in the country. These two are always busy working on new designs,” he said.
