07 Mar 2022

Local designers are pushing boundaries ahead of the Saturday African Attire on Fleek event billed for Grand Aria Stadium.

The event known for showcasing best of traditional fashion bounced back with a new-spin dubbed the Xhosa Experience, in promotion of Xhosa cultural apparels.

This new twist has kept designers on their feet to show off their interpretation of the Xhosa Experience.

Fashion such as music evolves and most of the designers are sweating it out to ensure that their creations appeals to the masses.

Some of the clothing industry players are upbeat about African Attire on Fleek opening doors they have never tapped.

“The Xhosa design has its own look and design,” Mompati Leatso of Sparkling Fashion Designs (SFD) said.

Leatso said he was excited and  was looking forward to creating enhanced elegant Xhosa designs.

The designer, a brand association partner with African Attire on Fleek organiser said he always received a good number of clients because of the agreement they have.

He hailed the partnership for its benefits, adding that most local fashion events boosted his business. In previous event, Leatso said he designed for close to 20 customers attending the event. He was unable to give a number of clients for this year’s edition as customers have a tendency of putting their orders of the eleventh hour.

 Leatso said themed events, were beneficial to designers particularly fashion events. Therefore, he encouraged Batswana to support local designers adding that tailor-made outfits were good because a client get to visualise the concept with their designer and get their money’s worth.

 “You cannot get what you want anyhow when you buy from a retail shop,” charged Leatso. SFD, known for its ability to identify styles suitable for all body shapes, has dressed influencers/socialites such as Bobo Stizboy Samuel, Casper The Dj, glamour events promoter Taes Entaile among others.

Director of LT Peculiar Couture Lorato Barwabatsile expressed her excitement adding that designing the Xhosa attire was challenging and up for it. “Designing a Xhosa attire is very challenging with creativity the designs,” Barwabatsile said.

 She challenged local show organisers, in promotion of fashion to always include other cultural attires and not just one basic African print.

Barwabatsile said such tested their creativeness as designers to apply new designs on diverse cultural prints.

LT Peculiar has dressed socialites such as RB2 Presenter Khumo Kgwaadira, Troy April, Gaona Dintwe on her list of clients. ENDS