Fashion market billed for this weekend
TheProtea Hotel by Mariott Masa Square is to host a fashion market this Saturday in support of the local fashion entrepreneurs, by giving them a platform where they can sell their products and reach a wider audience under one space.
The event follows the cancellation of the annual fashion show due to reasons brought about by COVID- 19. The fashion experience will see leading local fashion designers showcase their designs at a day market free to the general public. The event will be open to the general public from 11h00 to 18h00 and will follow the strictest COVID- 19 health protocols.
The Fashion Market will feature ready to wear designs from designers including but not limited to; Thabiso Dibeela, Lebo Merafhe, Dihdah,
Butterfly, African Wax Printsbw and a new children fashion brand called Tum Tummy.
Speaking about the initiative, the Protea Hotel Marketing Manager, Botho Mogami, explained that as a leading business- first hotel in Botswana, they were invested in the development of the community that they operate in.
“We are thrilled to provide a platform for local fashion entrepreneurs to not only showcase their talents during what has been rather difficult times but further market their businesses to potential clientele. We have held our annual fashion show for years now and the Fashion Market series is yet another demonstration of our commitment towards helping drive the development of sustainable ecosystem that will uplift the fashion industry of Botswana.
According to Mogami, through such initiatives the Hotel hopes to reaffirm their responsibility to extend themselves beyond just a hospitality business but a key partner to the creative industry of Botswana. They hope to do this by adding value, providing exposure, information and their expertise to the communities they serve to foster an environment that facilitates their growth and success.
She further says that despite the challenges faced by the industry, they have remained committed to the fashion entrepreneurs as they believe the creative industry has an important role to play in the economy and tourism in Botswana. “The Fashion Market expands on what we seek to do with the fashion show - to develop local entrepreneurship capacity by bridging the gap between those with experience and those seeking it. It is our hope that through such an engaging platform we can encourage local entrepreneurship and expose talented Botswana entrepreneurs, producers and visionaries,” says Mogami.