By Mosa Matela
Wear Local Fridays are pop up events that allow local designers to showcase their work and also provide an opportunity for growth and innovation in the fashion industry.
Four creatives – TK Mofokeng, Phoka Thene, Khojane Lepholisa and Lehlohonolo Mohai – have joined hands to create a platform for local designers to flaunt their talents with fellow street fashion lovers.
The event seeks to put all local designers and brands in a comfortable space that will allow for interactive discussions on the challenges in the fashion industry and advice on how to overcome them.
It is also a social platform where local brands and designers meet to discuss their visions, goals and the desired direction for their projects.
Above all else, it is an opportunity for attendees to familiarise themselves with local brands and discover designers and brands that deliver products of their preference.
Event co-organiser, Mohai cast more light on the purpose of the event.
“We strive to educate the community at large on the importance of supporting all local brands and designers. We want Basotho to fall in love with craft that is produced within the country, instead of constantly buying from international brands,” Mohai said.
The pop-up events have been in existence since 2016, but had to be put on hold due to the complications that came with the COVID-19 pandemic.
The events were re-introduced to the public during September of 2022.
Mohai noted that attendees may expect a fun day filled with good vibes that promote networking and forming new, genuine connections with fellow lovers of fashion.
He further stated that attendees will be encouraged to form consumer and producer relationships with the local brands that will be showcasing.
Wear Local has a six-month contract with Panda, and will be hosting a pop-up event today from 13:00 until 20:00.
“Katiso Tsoho of Joachim Garments attended as a speaker for the event last Friday, and he shared with attendees his experiences in the fashion industry and how he has gotten to where he is now,” Mohai indicated.
Mohai also told this publication that there will be stalls and merchandise from Shipa and a few other local fashion retailers such as Bonono Merchants.
