21 Oct 2024

Two local designers and one from South Africa have earned the opportunity to participate in an internship programme at the Mr Price Group in South Africa.

The designers are Refilwe Elliot of Black Excellence Clothing and Sphimzile Akolang of Exquisite Designs from Botswana as well as Jacquiline Mmatau of Rural Radiance from South Africa. 

This opportunity, facilitated by Fashion Without Borders (FWB), was announced during the  fashion show in Gaborone on Saturday.

The internship, which usually runs for weeks promises to provide the selected designers with hands-on experience in a fast-paced retail environment, giving them exposure to the business side of fashion, including manufacturing processes and market trends.

FWB co-director,  Tebo Bakwena Kabisoso said the internship would immerse the selected designers into every aspect of the fashion process from fabric selection and quality control to sales, marketing and following trends.

“It’s about understanding how a concept becomes a product that eventually reaches the shelves,” she said.

Kabisoso noted that FWB remained dedicated to fostering young African designers by offering initiatives like the Mr Price internship, which provided real-world exposure and invaluable experience.

“This is all about developing and uplifting the next generation of African fashion talent,” she added.  

Meanwhile, the fashion show featured a dazzling array of designs from fashion houses across the continent amongst them local fashion labels Exquisite Designs and Les Wear from Botswana, which specialissed in men’s wear, showcased alongside Rural Radiance from South Africa and Dinna Kod Atelier from Nigeria.

This year’s theme; A Decade of Diversity: Celebrating African Fashion Excellence, was a celebration of African creativity and cultural heritage, setting the tone for a vibrant display on the runway.

The event not only highlighted the work of renowned designers from across Africa, but also provided a unique learning platform for emerging designers.

“By showcasing established designers from South Africa and Nigeria, we aimed to inspire the young talents in competition, showing them the intricacies of the fashion industry,” Kabisoso said.

The audience was treated to not only captivating fashion but also live performances by local music stars, including renowned artiste, Mpho Sebina, while Leungo Pitse, a celebrated influencer, took on the role of director of ceremonies. Ends