Mohalenyane Phakela
LOCAL fashion houses, Quiteria&George and Dazzle Collection have lined up a fashion and music festival aimed at promoting fashion as a vehicle for socio-economic transformation in the country.
The event dubbed “Fashion Meets Music Lesotho” (FMML) is set for Lehakoe Club in Maseru on 19 November.
Quiteria&George is a fashion outfit by Lesotho-born Quiteria Kekana and South African George Malelu and it has dressed South African celebrities such as Boitumelo Thulo, Terry Pheto and Nomuzi Mabena as well as local beauty queens Mojabeng Senekal and the recently crowned Miss Lesotho Sunday Express 2017 Mpoi Mahao.
Dazzle Collection launched last year in Maseru and is owned by South African born Creative Director Mapula Mofokeng-Lebona and Designer Delma Tshabalala.
FMML project coordinator Limakatso Mphei said the event aimed at promoting “fashion as a socio-economic development tool for the Basotho community.”
FMML aims to become the national leader in fashion. We want to establish Maseru as a kernel of fashion and music and possibly expand to the rest of Africa as we have invited designers from countries such as Zimbabwe, South Africa, Nigeria, Mozambique and Ghana,” Mphei said.
She said the event would also give exposure to emerging, student designers as well as the established, existing brand names that have studios or stores.
Mphei said they would host awards in recognition of those who had contributed to uplifting the local music scene.
“In addition to the runway show, there is a unique awards ceremony for musical contributors from radio broadcasting and musical legends. We have come up with three categories of Hip Hop, DJs and radio personalities, all in both genders.
“There will also be three honourary awards for legends Motlatsi Majara (Radio station owner), Ntate Tšepo Tšola (Jazz veteran) and award-winning disc spinner Sir Schaba,” she said.
The event will be hosted by Liteboho Molise, Blue Mbombo and Donovan Lekgothoane and is powered by Sign World, Mottum, Tipp Focus, Bam Media and Black Opal.