By Neo Kolane
Film Sector Groundbreakers (FSG) Lesotho is calling on fashion designers and models for the Mr and Miss Culture Lesotho grand finale and King Moshoeshoe International Show on May 27-28 at Victory Hall in Maseru.
The FSG is a registered company based in Maseru with the sole objective of enhancing film industry development.
The King Moshoeshoe International Fashion Show is a fairly new event initiated by Film Sector Groundbreakers in 2019 as one of the activities that should be celebrated in remembrance of the 17th Century legendary Basotho King, Moshoeshoe I.
The 2022 King Moshoeshoe International Fashion Show has a comprehensive programme for two kinds of fashion designers, emerging designers and experienced designers.
The runway showcase of the two groups will take place on different days. Emerging designers will showcase on May 27 and the experienced designers on May 28.
The operations director at the FSG Lesotho, Aubrey Selinyane, said by staging the fashion show alongside the much followed Mr and Miss Culture Lesotho beauty pageant, is the initiative to connect fashion designers and exhibitors with many followers on the King Moshoeshoe Film Festival on the Facebook page.
Selinyane revealed that this is a deliberate strategy to ensure that fashion designers and exhibitors attain maximum exposure of their brands and fashion garments and expand their client base thus creating more opportunities for their business to generate revenue.
In an interview with theReporter, Aubrey said the fashion show’s two-day programme will kick off with separate master classes by three fashion experts Lindiwe Gigaba and Luyolo Dlikilili of South Africa, as well as Eswatini’s Mbalenhle Kimberly Manana.
He said the three will be sharing their extensive knowledge in the sector, empowering both emerging fashion designers and models to understand the dynamics of the fashions sector
He indicated that M42 000 will be won in prize money by the top six in both Mr and Miss Culture Lesotho 2022.
He said all the 18 finalists will also showcase the new young Basotho designers’ blankets produced by Aranda Textiles.
“The FSG management is committed to ensuring that fashion designers who do not live in Maseru find it easy and affordable to sort out their travel and accommodation preparations.
“We are adequately staffed to facilitate travel arrangements such as PCR tests, crossing of the Maseru border, air or bus travel and collection from Ladybrand or Moshoeshoe I International Airport in Maseru,” Selinyane said.
As for fashion designers working on a very tight schedule, he explained that Aubrey said there is the Ha Rona-Maseru homestays programme which will make it possible for the designer to pay as little as M200 for overnight accommodation.
FSG is working on a project with Lesotho Tourism Development Corporation, wherein homeowners with unused fully furnished houses in suburbs and the townships close to the Maseru city have been invited to register and avail their homes.
Lintle Masasa is one of the designers who will be exhibiting in the emerging designers’ category of the King Moshoeshoe International Fashion Show.
She said her love for fashion design was birthed out of being a late bloomer.
“Growing up, I was slender and tall; much taller than my age. As a result, nothing ever fitted me properly.
“If it was long enough it was too baggy; if it hugged my body as it should it was too short. So I had to learn to adjust my clothes and make my own clothes and that’s where my love for fashion grew,” Lintle said.
