Bantu Gold sells new fashion line
After winning Mr Price Internship at Fashion Without Borders recently, Bantu Gold decided it was time to produce items that can be worn and appreciated by the people. Therefore, the group has introduced a clothing line that would suit clients’ needs.
In an interview with Arts & Culture, Bantu Gold founder, Lukundo Simpenba said the clothes that they put on the runways were either sold or archived. He further explained that they needed to give their supporters products that could give them that runway feeling. He also pointed out that their new line of merchandise and ready-to-wear pieces debuted beginning of November 2022. He added that they currently had Sunglasses, T-shirts and jackets while the bags will be launched before the end of November.
“We have a team of creatives that go out to source the best quality and style of shades. We will engage a manufacturer and one day manufacture for ourselves as we scale up. Our oversized T-shirts are designed and seamed from scratch. This allows us to achieve a style that is unique to us. The normal T-shirts are sourced. They are thick and of great quality. We had tested them for a good two months before bringing them to market,” he explained.
He continued: “When you buy from Bantu Gold, you are buying the highest quality, most intricately designed products. We keep our stock
limited so you can really be the best dressed in the room. Our fashion products will give you the feeling of being on a runway whilst still maintaining your comfort.” Simpenba further explained that they were very experimental saying if they were not creating, they were studying other great creative minds like Virgil Abloh and other luxury brands like Ferrari to get greater understanding of what it means to make a good product. He added that they wanted to have flagship stores across the world starting with their home, Botswana, then expanding across the region and eventually the world. He said they aimed to see their products worn by people all around the world and wanted to be a proud Botswana export.
Moreover, he said he loved the local fashion industry explaining that fellow designers were very receptive, advised each other adding that consumers were always willing to support if one had a good product. He said they wanted to build the industry to the point of South Africa where local designers could have collaborations with Puma, Addidas and Dior and eventually become as big if not bigger than those companies he mentioned.
“I feel Batswana love a good product and service, whether its local or international but more especially if it’s local. We have no complaints, thank you to all who have been placing their orders. We are excited to grow our catalogue and grow with our supporters. However, we face a lot of challenges, for example finding the right quality materials especially for what we are trying to achieve. But we fight through, that is one of the reasons we say ‘if you can make it in Botswana, you can make it anywhere’,” he noted.
He further explained that when they won the Mr Price Internship, they dressed performers for Miss Botswana finals, appeared on newspapers, radio and the national television, had the merchandise worn by the likes of Kabza De Small adding that it all happened in the last month and a half.
He expressed their gratitude to their customers for helping them reach such a great milestone. Their line products could be ordered through their social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook @bantugold or ordered through WhatsApp at +26774129521. They do free deliveries within Gaborone and courier nationwide at a small fee.
“Dankie Batswana betsho, the love and support that you have shown Bantu Gold is overwhelming. We are here to fly our country’s flag high,” he ended.