The Botswana fashion industry is currently undergoing a significant surge in growth and development, offering abundant opportunities for young talents to thrive. This is evident in the emergence of opportunities for dedicated practitioners on both local and global platforms. For three textile artists among them, the collaboration between multinational entities, Fashion Without Borders and the Mr Price Group, presents an unparalleled opportunity to elevate their careers and reach new heights.
Fashion Without Borders (FWB) is an organisation dedicated to promoting and nurturing talent in the fashion industry, particularly in Africa. Through initiatives such as fashion shows, workshops, and mentorship programs, FWB provides a platform for designers to showcase their creativity and gain exposure to industry professionals and opportunities. The 9th annual Fashion Without Borders event held at the Grand Palm Hotel Casino Convention Resort in Gaborone in October 2023 showcased the work of 12 talented designers under the theme: Diversity Through African Fashion. Having been co-producers of the instalment, Mr Price Group representatives found the works of Batswana, Mboko Basiami (Glotto) and Lerang Keabile (La Letsatsi), and South African, Sibu Sithole (FDB Human Store) fitting for their selection for an internship programme with the enterprise.
Mr Price Group is a trailblazing retail company that has made great strides to grow beyond its base in South Africa. The business’ 6-year-long collaboration with FWB “demonstrates its commitment to investing in emerging talent and fostering innovation in the fashion industry”, according to FWB Africa Event Coordinator, Tebo Bakwena Kabisoso. By offering Botswana talent an internship at their headquarters in Durban, the Mr Price Group provides them with invaluable hands-on experience and exposure to various aspects of the fashion business, including retail and manufacturing. Kabisoso further remarks that the opportunity allows young designers to learn from industry experts, gain insights into the inner workings of a major fashion retailer, and further develop their skills and expertise.
The internship program also serves as a significant milestone for the trio as it offers them a chance to kickstart their careers as budding fashion designers. The organizing partners acknowledge that this opportunity not only provides the three with practical experience, but also serves as a catalyst for growth and innovation within the African fashion industry, a space in which they seek to promote diversity, creativity, and entrepreneurship so as to help to shape the future of fashion across the continent and beyond. This emphasis on diversity is crucial for the growth of the Botswana fashion industry – something echoed in the presentation of yet another fashion-centred offering at the recently concluded Forbes Under 30 Summit.
Kabisoso, whose fashion production imprint also includes high-density markets like South Africa and DRC, hastens to remind that “by embracing their unique cultural heritage and creativity, African designers can attract a wider audience and expand their reach both regionally and internationally”. In 2022, The Mr Price Group launched a competition for South African fashion design graduates and final year students presenting one talented creator with the chance to have their designs carried in 40 stores in the country. While this may not be what the fortunate three will have on their horizons, it goes without saying that being in the orbit of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange listed company with a market capitalisation of R47.3 billion is a step in the direction of opportunity.
Fashion Without Borders continues to endow stakeholders in the fashion industry across the continent through the production of fashion shows featuring multiple countries, workshops, and mentorship programs, offering emerging designers avenues to learn, network, and showcase their work. These platforms not only foster talent but also bolster the overall growth and dynamism of the industry. With the ascent of e-commerce and social media, designers can now access a broader audience and establish their brands on a global scale. Beyond its catchy name, FWB embodies a commitment to fostering free, fair, and diversified trade for fashion industry stakeholders in Africa and beyond.
