While Mrs Botswana has become a safe haven for married women to dialogue about the challenges of their marriages and how to overcome them, it also offers space where these women can show their skills on the runway.
This week social media was set ablaze by the top-tier fashion and outfits that graced the red carpet. It was an awesome sight to behold because different designers also brought their “A” game.
What most people don’t know is that the designs that have been making the rounds were tailor-made by Gaborone Technical College students. The young ‘apprentices’ were afforded an opportunity to showcase their skills during the Mrs Botswana Diamonds and Pearls Fashion Show which were hosted over the weekend at Phakalane Golf Estate.
The purpose of this year’s fashion show was to set a spotlight on the modern-day wife in all her glorious roles – as sister, aunt and mother. The designs were an expression of diverse roles that wives play in every family and society in general.
One of the designs that stood out was the Star Hezerk Phalane outfit. The dress stole the show and had a level of meaning to both the contestant and the designer. The yellow stunning long dress was indeed a showstopper and sure had a meaning as it was adorned with a cow drawing – the first of its kind.
“Take every challenge like a learner and serve like a pro. This beautiful Star Hezek gown was inspired by the ecosystem as a whole. It’s a simple juxtaposition concept of nature, livestock and vegetation; in short, farming as the basis of food security and being sufficient in the COVID-19 era. It’s a message that says farming plays a pivotal in ensuring we are all fed,” Phalane said of the outfit.
The gown also hit home for Ambrociah Samboko, who said farming is one of her passions. “The dress I was wearing represents the farmer in me,” she explained. “Yellow like the sun that nourished the crops that we plant. During the pandemic, we realised the importance of being self-sufficient in food. I appreciate every female farmer even those who ventured into farming during the pandemic. They realised that farming is a field full of unlimited possibilities and that it is not a job but a way of life.”
One Segobye donned an Ikigai dress tailored by Xplosive Designs. The royal blue dress stood out on the runway. The contestants were to come up with a design that represents an all-rounder woman and Segobye looked the part. “Ikigai is a Japanese concept that emphasises your existence in life,” she said. “It is about what you love, what you are good at, what the world needs and what you get paid for. My dress was designed in four layers and each layer spoke to these four categories.
“The first layer represents me as a wife; a home builder and support system for my husband. The second layer represents me as mother. The third one is about me as a social contributor through my mentoring and development programme for women. The last layer spoke to me as an entrepreneur and career woman who gets up every day to fulfill her duties. All in all, the layers represent me as an all-rounder who is ready to make a difference through my purpose.”
Many other women were not left out as they also showcased their best designers based on their themes. The fashion show was also used to select the Top 14 who will compete with each other at the Grand Finale.
The Mrs Botswana’s Diamonds and Pearls Fashion Show attracted elite socialites. It received a standing ovation for pulling such a stunner of a show.
