Nthatuoa Koeshe
CASTING is now open for the Lesotho Fashion Week Spring Summer 2019 scheduled for 3 to 5 May 2019 at Mpilo Boutique Hotel, organisers have said.
The forthcoming event will, among other requirements, feature plus size models.
The event will showcase the Spring Summer 19 women’s and men’s wear collections by designers from all over the world.
The show, which started last year, promotes Lesotho designers by bringing together industry experts in one place to form new relationships and share ideas. It Is a platform which helps local designers understand the business of fashion, the importance of the fashion calendar and how to relate with international buyers and press thereby integrating them into the cut throat global business of fashion.
Founder of the Lesotho Fashion Week, Mahadi Granier, told the Weekender that this season, they intend to break barriers in terms of what is perceived as the industry norm.
“The international fashion industry at large expects runway models to be tall with a slender frame, which is a disconnect from real life,” Mahadi said adding that this was the Eurocentric standard of beauty.
She said the reality is that Africans are built differently and as such, they want models at Lesotho Fashion Week to show how the clothes will look on an average African, who ultimately is the consumer.
Mahadi said they decided to include plus size models because they want to challenge the way beauty and diversity are portrayed.
“We want to promote body positivity and uplift women, especially those who struggle with self-love.”
Mahadi said the average African woman is a size 12 and by increasing the size ranges, they intend to ensure that the majority of women in the fashion consumer market are fully catered for.
“We care about body diversity and want to create a runway that is open minded and we want buyers to visualise themselves in the fashion that is being showcased as opposed to showcasing fashion that preys on women’s insecurities.
Mahadi said they have so far received applications from designers from South Africa, Botswana, Nigeria, Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique and Senegal.
For his part, Lesotho Fashion Week production assistant Thato Fonya noted that only pre-registered models will be allowed to cast. To book for a casting spot, models are expected to complete a pre-registration form on www.khalala.com/models before 14 February 2019.
Fonya said they are looking for men aged between 18 and above with the minimum height of 1.7 metres height who are of slim build. He said the models are expected to wear knee high shorts, a t shirt and flat shoes.
“Women should be aged 18 and above with the minimum height of 1.65m. They should be size 28 to 32 with maximum hip size of 96cm. They are expected to wear black leggings and vest tops,” he said.
Fonya said all models should ensure that they wear fitted clothing to allow a clear impression of their body proportions.
He said plus size female models should be aged 18 and above with the minimum height of 1.65m and should be dress size of 34 to 48.
“All models must bring four composites which must include their portfolio pictures, name, contact details and measurements,” Fonya said.
