Fashion Pop-Up Market
FASHION POP-UP MARKET
Création Botswana Hosts Botswana’s First Fashion Pop-Up Market: A Celebration of Local Talent, Community & Creativity
From shoppers exploring local fashion to families enjoying the sunshine and live entertainment, the atmosphere was joyful, dynamic, and filled with pride for the nation’s young designers. This landmark event showcased the power of community support and the growing momentum behind Botswana’s fashion industry.
A Market Like No Other: Fashion, Fun & Family
The pop-up market opened at 12:00 PM, welcoming the public into a beautifully curated space lined with designer stalls, children’s activities, and food vendors. It was the first time the 28 Création Botswana beneficiaries displayed their collections to the public, offering clothing, accessories, and artisanal creations that reflected months of training, refinement, and artistic growth.
The Day’s Programme Included:
● Kids’ activities
● Food & refreshments
Guest of Honour: Rich Mnisi, celebrated South African designer
A Historic Moment of Generosity: Lucara Botswana Doubles the Prize Pool
One of the most emotional highlights came when Naseem Lahri, Managing Director of Lucara Botswana, took the stage and made a completely unexpected announcement:
The originally planned BWP 50,000 prize for the two top winners would be doubled to BWP 100,000 each.
And even more extraordinarily:
Every designer who pitched during the competition, Cohort 2 and the two Cohort 1 finalists, would receive BWP 10,000.
The audience erupted in applause and it was a moment that underscored Lucara’s genuine belief in Botswana’s creative youth and their potential to build globally competitive brands.
Création Botswana extends heartfelt gratitude to Lucara Botswana and Absa Bank Botswana for their unwavering commitment to creative industry development.
Rich Mnisi Awards an Additional Surprise Prize
A personal prize of BWP 20,000 to designer Botho Chalebgwa (Botocy). His gesture highlighted the international design community’s growing recognition of Botswana’s creative excellence.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNERS
After weeks of refining pitch decks, business models, storytelling, and collection development, the winners were announced on the pop-up market stage:
Celebrated for their cohesion, craftsmanship, and powerful brand identity
Recognized for her entrepreneurial clarity, sustainability vision, and strong growth potential.
Acknowledged for her creative risk-taking and strategic evolution.
Awarded for artistic excellence and a bold, memorable brand voice. These awards marked a life-changing milestone for the winners, offering financial support and validation at a critical moment in the growth of their businesses.
A Milestone for Botswana’s Fashion Future
The Création Botswana Pop-Up Market was more than an event, it was a celebration of collaboration, creativity, and national pride. It demonstrated:
- Hthe rising demand for locally made fashion
- the power of community to uplift emerging brands
- the impact of investing in creative industries
- the growing visibility of Botswana’s fashion sector regionally and internationally
With incredible attendance, joyful energy, and historic announcements, this first-of-its-kind event has now set a new standard for fashion markets in Botswana.
Création Botswana celebrates every designer, partner, musician, volunteer, and attendee who made this day unforgettable.
