Chris Theko
The 2020 edition of the Lesotho Fashion Week (LSFW) is set to take place on 12-13 December at The Advocate suites. The show will take place in the digital sphere, with the showcase by local designers exploring their relationship with sustainable fashion in their collections.
This year, LSFW will display designer collections via virtual shows and digital catwalk collections, giving viewers a front- row experience of some of Lesotho’s well-known, as well as up-and-coming designers with their latest collections inspired by the events of 2020 and the original culture and heritage of the Basotho people.
Unlike in past editions that were hosted under normal circumstances, this years showpiece will not use catwalks or fashion studios, instead showcasing local designers are expected to make use of the beautiful mountainous landscape of Lesotho as their show locations.
The thought of staging Lesotho’s ultimate fashion show out in the open field spaces was inspired by the necessity to ensure that the country’s Covid-19 social distancing safety and health guidelines are adhered to.
According to Founder of Lesotho Fashion Week, Mahali Granier, the thinking behind taking the event to various outdoor tourist locations is also aimed at stimulating creative tourism by encouraging local and international tourists to visit Lesotho.
Some of the outdoor locations to be used include, Lekhalong la Baroa, Kome Caves as well as TÅ¡ehlanyane National Park.
Lesotho Fashion Week recognizes the value of the virtual platform and the power it has for the inclusivity within the industry by reaching audiences who otherwise would not be able to participate in the traditional physical shows, Granier said.
This is a by-invitation-only event. No tickets will be sold to the public, she said.
Over the last two seasons, LSFW has become crowded with fashion bloggers, photographers, fashionistas, influencers, celebrities, friends of friends with little connection to the industry. All of that is about to change, Granier said.
It was becoming a zoo. What was conceived as a platform for emerging and established designers to debut their collections to select media and buyers, quickly developed into a clustered, exhausting period for our industry to effectively do business. Only those considered of value to the designers will receive invitations. For the rest of the audience the event will be streamed live to ensure a certain level of inclusivity.
Three of the designers who will be showcasing at event were part of the competition that was held earlier this year dubbed the Lesotho Fashion Week Wool and mohair contest. They are Da Vna, Avant Cee Elle, and Cograbig.
The best local fashion designers were shortlisted and entered into a competition that ran from July to 31 October 2020.
In the end the organizers decided to declare the three as winners and will be showcasing a full ten-piece collection made of wool and mohair, for free at the next season of LSFW, valued at M20 000 each.
The Advocates Suite situated at Makeka Apartments in Maseru, an adults-only guesthouse with rooftop terrace which boasts class and quality will be the indoor location for this years edition.
