LESEDI SAVOURS THE MOMENT

Botswana’s very own, Lesedi Matlapeng this weekend showcased a 12- piece collection at the Stockholm International Fashion Fair in Sweden. The event was held under the theme, Diversity and Multiculturalism in Ethical Fashion. It has been a couple of days since this big moment, and the ever- smiling Matlapeng is still relieving this moment. She has many highlights from this beautiful experience. Showcasing in the Scandinavian region is just one of her best moments. She shared the stage with international artists who are based in different parts of the world. She fondly remembers sharing the stage with the Swedish designer, who is famous for dressing the Royal family, a French top designer, a designer from Morocco based in Sweden to mention a few. Speaking in an interview with this publication, she explains that other highlights include seeing the well rooted audience with a group of Sweden based group of ambassadors, as well as first class photographers, and artists as well as experienced, highly motivated models of mixed origin. “I received massive congratulations and professional photographers scrambling to capture my artistic and professionally presented work,” she explains. The inspiration for this unique collection is based on her love for evening wear, and fused that with Asian Victorian style. Shedding light on what the collection was made up of, she notes that she had twelve pieces, and that she used two types of German print, and incorporated different colours, especially bright colours, and black. This fusion of colours and different textures, was a sight to behold on the runway. She points out that she wanted to illustrate that German print can go with any fabric, and that all that it takes is for one to be creative. Quizzed on how it felt to see models cat walking on the ramp with her intricate designs, she notes that she is still finding it hard to put the emotions into words. “I don’t know how to explain it. What I can remember is seeing the audience clapping, taking pictures and photographers scrambling to capture my work. I was overwhelmed with emotions,” explains Matlapeng. She explains that her journey to this big moment dates back to 2019, after she was invited by the Botswana Embassy to showcase at the Independence celebrations, telling the Botswana story through fashion. The organisers had also seen the many outfits of Ambassador Chanda Nteta, who is one of her prominent clients.