Final Masterclass

FINAL MASTERCLASS

Création Botswana Hosts Its Final Masterclass: “Export – The Keys to Succeed on International Markets”

On Friday, July 11th, 2025, Création Botswana held its final masterclass of the programme, marking a major turning point as the 28 beneficiaries approached the completion of their nine-month journey. Held at the National Museum of Botswana, the session: “Export: The Keys to Succeed on International Markets”, brought together world-renowned fashion and business experts to guide Botswana’s designers through the realities of entering global markets.

This highly anticipated masterclass was led by Jean-Marc Chauve, a leading export consultant and Managing Director of the Imane Ayissi brand and was followed by a roundtable discussion with two of Africa’s most celebrated designers: Rich Mnisi and Lukhanyo Mdingi. Together, the speakers delivered one of the most impactful learning moments of the entire programme.

A Week of Preparation Leading to the Final Masterclass

Before the masterclass, beneficiaries spent the week at Alliance Française refining the final elements of their brands: pitch decks, brand books, press kits, export strategies, and fashion show preparations.

The workshop week included:
Export Training: With Yolisa Ndhlovu and Tamburai Chirume, designers learned export fundamentals, logistics, shipping processes, customs considerations, and how to position collections for international buyers.
Pitching Sessions: Across several days, Cohort 2 designers presented to a panel of leading experts:

Lukhanyo Mdingi
François Catala
Pierre Elgorriaga
Angeline Dangelser

They received strategic feedback on communication, brand identity, differentiation, and commercial readiness. These sessions prepared finalists for the July 11 Pitching Competition.

Management & HR Development

Led by Bonolo Moleme, Cohort 1 and Cohort 2 explored team structures, leadership, workplace culture, and internal growth—critical skills for designers transitioning from solo operations to larger-scale businesses.

Scenography & Craftsmanship Workshops

With Angeline Dangelser, designers refined how they present their collections—focusing on materials, local craftsmanship, and visual storytelling ahead of the upcoming fashion show. This intensive week set the stage for the July 11 masterclass, ensuring designers had the necessary grounding to absorb and apply the high-level insights shared by the international speakers.

THE FINAL MASTERCLASS: “Export – The Keys to Succeed on International Markets"

Led by Jean-Marc Export Expert | Managing Director of Imane Ayissi

Jean-Marc Chauve has built decades of expertise helping African luxury brands navigate international markets; including Paris Fashion Week, global retailers, and press networks. His masterclass focused on:
● What global buyers look for in new brands
● The realities of producing for export
● Quality, timing, and collection structure
● Market segment positioning
● How African brands can maintain cultural integrity while appealing to global consumers
● The administrative and logistical requirements behind successful export
Designers received practical, technical, and visionary insights; grounding the dream of global expansion in the concrete steps required to achieve it.

ROUNDTABLE: “Export in the Fashion Industry”

After the masterclass, Jean-Marc Chauve was joined by two of South Africa’s most renowned fashion designers:

Rich Mnisi
A trailblazer known for bold aesthetics, cultural storytelling, and global brand collaborations. Rich Mnisi shared lessons from scaling his brand into an international icon, navigating production challenges, and maintaining artistic identity while growing commercially.

Lukhanyo Mdingi
An LVMH Prize finalist and a leading voice in sustainable luxury, Lukhanyo spoke on craftsmanship, long-term creative vision, and building ethical, globally respected fashion houses grounded in African excellence. Together, the three experts discussed:
● How designers can create export-ready collections
● The importance of supply chain consistency
● Building international relationships and visibility
● Understanding pricing, margins, and production volumes
● The value of authenticity in a global market saturated with trends

Designers engaged in a vibrant Q&A session, bringing forward their challenges around sourcing, scaling production, and entering new markets.

Networking Lunch:

Connecting Creatives & Industry Leaders

The morning concluded with a networking lunch, offering designers time to connect with the speakers, partners, and invited guests. These conversations provided an invaluable bridge between mentorship and opportunity; potentially paving the way for future collaborations, retail conversations, and international exposure.

A Landmark Moment in the Programme

As the final masterclass of Création Botswana Season 2, the July session held deep symbolic and practical significance:
● Designers consolidated a year’s worth of learning.
●They refined the tools needed to enter competitive markets.
● They engaged directly with some of the most influential creative leaders on the continent.
● They stood on the threshold of pitching their brands to an esteemed jury later that afternoon.
For many, this masterclass was the moment their ambitions expanded from local growth to continental and global potential.

A Powerful Closing Chapter for Création Botswana Season 2

The July Final Masterclass embodied everything Création Botswana stands for: excellence, collaboration, creative empowerment, and preparing Botswana’s designers for global stages. Through the insights of Jean-Marc Chauve, Rich Mnisi, and Lukhanyo Mdingi, participants left inspired, equipped, and ready to position their brands beyond Botswana’s borders.

Final Masterclass