30 Nov 2022

 Three Botswana fashion designers showcased their creations at the recent ended African Fashion International (AFI) Fashion week Johannesburg in South Africa. 

Seneo Moji of Kaylaamiel Creations as well as Lebo Merafhe and Tumie Mohoasa of Nguo clothing label shared stage with seasoned talents such as Gavin Rajah (South Africa), Alia Bare (Senegal), Eric Raisina (Madagascar), Kreyann (Cameroon) and Taibo Bacar (Mozambique).

In an interview, Moji said she valued her participation in the event and admired AFI’s 15 years commitment to promoting African talent.

Despite being her maiden appearance at the fashion week, Moji had already made her name in the fashion world.

She made headlines in 2007 when she brought home the third annual Redd’s African Fashion Design Award and since then her name has been making the list in fashion shows.

At South African event, she impressed fashionistas with her cotton and viscose collection, which had a dash of giraffe print in pink and blue pastels. 

Moji also said being in midst of the AFI founder and executive chair, Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe, delighted her considering the opportunity she availed to young African designers.

“It has always been my dream to showcase at AFI even though I have cat walked internationally and the African region, the AFI experience to me tops them all.”

 For her part, Merafhe, who presented solid collections of cotton pieces at the fashion show, said being affiliated with AFI had been such an experience and enjoyed how AFI accommodated and embraced their ideas while affording them the opportunity to network and share ideas with other African designers.

“All the designers are talented, therefore mingling and sharing ideas and learning of how each operate in the African continent inspired us all as fashion designers. It was an informative week and fashion designers who participated are in different stages in their design journeys,” Merafhe said.

Merafhe said exposure was important, therefore Botswana designers should not fear to showcase their designs locally and around Africa.

 She said creativity knew no boundaries therefore if designers had fear to expose their craft their talents could die.

The first day of the fashion show saw 10 Pan-African designers take to the runway, each presenting their six-look collections that featured a variety of styles, including chic dresses, suiting, stylish separates, and trendy accessories.

Also the exciting continuation of the fashion week, kicked off with the amazing AFI Masterclass with bold print dresses, voluminous skirts and blouses, and luxurious fabrics such as silk, satin, linen, cotton, and velvet were showcased by the talented African designers. ENDS