From walking the ramp to designer
Fashion Designer and Director of AnshiNeo Garments, a fashion house that prides in ‘ elegance , classy and chic,’ Neo Anshi Oabile, is a professional model, who was inspired by the fashion industry, while walking the ramp and ended up making her own outfits.
Now she is a fashion designer of prestige and she tells BG Style that many of the local fashion designers inspired her to be who she has become. “I joined the fashion industry in 2018, first as a model under ‘ The Empire BW’ which hosted a fashion week, and I got to walk 14 local designers. Seeing some of the simple designs that I wore, I thought to myself that I can also make this. So later that year, end of September, I bought a domestic sewing
machine, and I never regretted my choice since then,” she said.
She explains that she has never studied Fashion Design nor Home Economics at school, but her love for the fashion industry and You Tube lessons helped her to live her dream within the industry.
Oabile clarifies that she started off by making her own outfit, and her friends liked it and kept asking her to design them outfits for events. She also adds that her passion for the fashion industry has saved her life when she was at her lowest point as a student of BSc230 Bio- Chem at University of Botswana and had to discontinue.
“In the midst of all the confusion and sense of being a disappointment to my family, I knew there was something I could do to make my mother proud by doing what I love and become successful.
So, the birth of AnshiNeo, came at an opportune time. I could recall that from a pretty young age, I have always been drawn to fashion, as I would watch television programs like; Prime Time Live, Top Billing, E! Fashion Police and E! Red Carpet. I was always inspired by celebrities, especially ladies in their elegant dresses,” she says emphasizing that, this is why AnshiNeo focuses on the ‘ Elegance, Classy and Chic’ style.
“The garments I make are meant to compliment the body that wears them, rather than stand out as an art work on a model,” states Oabile, emphasizing that she wants to maintain the good standard within the field. She is of the view that fashion industry in Botswana is a little poor in the sense that most designers lack creativity.
“The argument may be that we produce what our clients ask for, but how will the market demand something that has never been produced?” questions the fervent designer.
She also adds that good photography is equally needed for the fashion industry, and this is what most fashion designers should take note of. “I have had an amazing opportunity to work with passionate photographers, Goitseone Mokonopi and Dimpho ‘ Slixed’ Sametsi ( God rest his soul) who offered me free photoshoots when I joined the industry to help me get my work out there.
Their confidence in my work motivated me to do even better,” she said, adding that they had planned a photoshoot to showcase the art of fashion and photography.
She aspires to create a platform where the models, photographers and fashion would merge and showcase local talent through their capability and passion into this industry.
She believes Batswana designers have so much potential and can take over the international fashion stage if they put their hearts to it.