Final Judging Session
FINAL JUDGING SESSION
Création Botswana Hosts Final Judging Session for Cohort 2 Selection
Création Botswana held its highly anticipated final judging session for the Season 2 advanced cohort at the Avani Gaborone Resort & Casino. Twelve shortlisted designers from the Cohort 2 applicant pool were invited to participate in this rigorous evaluation, marking the final step in determining the eight designers who would join the 2025 advanced programme.
The judging process was designed to assess each designer’s readiness for international markets, business viability, creative identity, craftsmanship, and overall strategic vision. The atmosphere was both professional and charged with anticipation as designers prepared to showcase their strongest work.
A High-Level Judging Panel
The final evaluation was conducted by three respected industry leaders, each bringing a unique perspective and decades of expertise to the judging process:
The Judging Process
The 12 finalists arrived at Avani prepared for a demanding and professional evaluation process. Each designer was required to:
1. Present One Garment for Physical Assessment
Designers brought a single garment that best represented their craftsmanship, design identity, technical skill, and ability to compete at a global level. Judges assessed construction, finishings, material choice, innovation, and brand coherence.
2. Deliver a Brand & Collection Presentation
Designers presented their brand story, design philosophy, and future direction using a pitch deck. This component assessed:
- Brand identity
- Target market
- Production capacity
- Collection inspiration and coherence
- Business model and scalability
3. Answer Judge Q&A for Strategic Evaluation
Following the presentation, the judges engaged each designer with targeted questions related to:
- Business readiness
- Pricing strategy
- Understanding of market positioning
- Long-term growth plans
- Ability to adapt to industry demands
The judges used a structured scoring system and individual score sheets, to evaluate each designer across multiple criteria.
An Intense and Insightful Selection Process
After all twelve presentations, the judges’ score sheets were collected, reviewed, and tallied. The process was detailed and methodical, ensuring fairness and consistency for every participant.
Following careful deliberation, eight designers were selected to join Cohort 2, gaining access to advanced-level mentorship, international exposure opportunities, and expert-led capacity-building sessions throughout 2025.
These eight finalists represent exceptional creative talent, strong entrepreneurial potential, and the capacity to scale both locally and internationally.
A Milestone Moment for the Designers and the Programme
The final judging session marks a key milestone in the season’s progression, demonstrating the programme’s commitment to excellence, transparency, and industry alignment.
It also provided a rare opportunity for designers to receive feedback from some of the most influential voices in African fashion and fashion media.
Création Botswana congratulates all twelve finalists for their professionalism, creativity, and dedication, and proudly welcomes the eight selected designers into the next phase of the programme.
