By Neo Kolane
Basotho designers and other creatives are invited to an international scouting initiative known as ‘Reshaping the Future’, which was launched March 1 and will be running until April 15.
In Lesotho, the local focal point of the initiative is the Lesotho Fashion Week which has collaborated with formations like Vogue Talents and fabric manufacturer Alcantara on the initiative’s project.
Lesotho Fashion Week (LSFW) is Lesotho’s only high profile business-to-business marketing platform for fashion, footwear, accessory and jewelry in Lesotho. By acting as the optimal platform for a designer to start, develop and grow their business from, LSFW promotes showcasing designers to the media, retail buyers and their clients both in Africa and internationally.
The founder of LSFW, Mahali Granier told theReporter that the initiative is open to Africans from across all 55 African countries.
Granier said the scouting initiative is aimed at supporting a new-generation of Basotho creatives at a time when it is fundamental to highlight the value of those who believe in the future and in supporting emerging talents.
“Based in Milan, Italy, Alcantara – which has been certified carbon neutral since 2009 – is a true role model for the fashion industry as a whole.
“Over the years, it has given new generations of designers numerous opportunities, from the creation of capsule collections to hosting them in its temporary concept store in Milan.
“Reshaping The Future stays true to the Italian company’s vocation and is addressed to Basotho students, designers and creative. The scouting project is centered around the theme of sustainability, which is a crucial factor, not only in the world of fashion but also in art and design,” Granier revealed.
However, Granier pointed out that candidates from Lesotho are invited to submit an application that envisions a more conscious future for the surrounding environment and suggest their aesthetic vision, testing their skills with the versatility of Alcantara, exploring its countless variations.
The creative projects may focus on fashion and be ready-to-wear, through the creation of a capsule collection, or may develop a proposal regarding accessories, art or interior design, embracing the uses and peculiar features of this innovative material.
“To take part in the competition, candidates from Lesotho are required to email Lesotho Fashion Week.”
Alcantara is the brand name of a common synthetic textile material. It has a soft, suede-like microfiber pile and is noted for its durability. Alcantara is commonly seen in automotive applications, as a substitute for leather and vinyl in vehicle interior trim.
