18 Oct 2020

The highliy anticipated annual Fashion Without Borders (FWB) 2020 extravaganza has this time around opted for the theme The Phygital Experience due to COVID-19 pandemic and to cater for designers based outside the country as well as local designers who are not within zones.

The extravaganza was held on Thursday and Friday. 

For a sixth year running, FWB continues to redefine local creative and textiles industry for the better through strengthening cross-industry relationships and creating opportunities for growth in the fashion industry. 

FWB showcased a one-of-a kind local couture experience, which had eight of the country’s seasoned fashion designers and two international designers who showcased through the digital experience. 

Among other local designers, were Gaborone Technical College students who showcased, Botswana garments. 

Delivering a speech at the creativity celebration, public relations - Orange Botswana, Ratang Motladiile said arts and culture contributed to the country’s GDP and that Orange Botswana realized the importance of arts to the society, hence supported the arts industry.

He said because the industry had been hard hit by the pandemic, Orange Botswana would continue to support the arts going forward. 

Head of fashion department at Gaborone Technical College, Olebogeng Kame, said they wanted to collaborate with FWB. “We would like to showcase our students work annually on their platform, because this is a big platform for our students and that way we will be exposing our students to the industry, potential buyers and the community at large. 

With the 15 students we have today, we want them to be exposed so much that when they complete, they can be able to fit in the industry. 

What we are trying to do in our fashion department, we want these students to create jobs instead of being employees. 

Today, is our first show with FWB and is definitely not the last one  and we expect all the students who were showcasing today to be part of this experience next year now as fully industry fashion designers”, she said. 

ends