March Masterclass
MARCH MASTERCLASS
Création Botswana Hosts March Masterclass: “The Business of Fashion – From Vision to Venture”
On 10 March 2025, Création Botswana hosted its highly anticipated March masterclass, The Business of Fashion: From Vision to Venture, at the National Museum of Botswana. Delivered by two renowned African fashion and entrepreneurship leaders, Amah Ayivi and Tamburai Chirume, the masterclass marked the beginning of an intensive educational week designed to equip fashion entrepreneurs with practical business knowledge, strategic insight, and industry tested tools for long-term success. Like all Création Botswana masterclasses, this session formed part of a broader educational workshop series, with deep-dive sessions delivered throughout the week by the same experts to strengthen learning and ensure continuity.
Two Industry Powerhouses Lead the Masterclass
Amah Ayivi Fashion Expert
Founder of Marché Noir | Specialist in African vintage & upcycling
A pioneering figure in African fashion, Amah Ayivi brings decades of expertise in vintage sourcing, upcycling, cultural storytelling, and sustainable fashion ecosystems. As the founder of Marché Noir, a Paris-based brand celebrated for reinterpreting African sartorial heritage, Amah has built a global presence rooted in authenticity, craftsmanship, and ethical production. At the masterclass, he shared:
● His journey from Togo to Paris, and the creation of an international brand
● Lessons on preserving cultural identity while operating in global markets
● Insights into upcycling and sustainable practices as viable business models
● Understanding fashion as cultural storytelling and entrepreneurship
His guidance encouraged designers to embrace their roots while thinking boldly about
international expansion.
Tamburai Chirume Social Entrepreneur
Co-founder of OneOfEach | Co-founder of The African Academy of Fashion
Tamburai Chirume is an award-winning entrepreneur, educator, and strategist known for her work at the intersection of fashion, culture, and creative business development. As co-founder of OneOfEach, a luxury accessories brand blending Zimbabwean artisanal craftsmanship with modern design, she has built a strong presence in African and global markets. She also co-founded The African Academy of Fashion, an institution dedicated to equipping entrepreneurs with practical business and production skills. Tamburai’s contribution to the masterclass focused on:
● Building fashion brands with strong business foundations
● Understanding customer profiles and product-market fit
● Pricing strategies, cost structures, and financial planning
● The importance of systems, workflows, and professionalism
● Turning creative passion into a viable, scalable enterprise Her session gave designers actionable frameworks they could begin implementing
immediately.
MORNING SESSION (Open to the Public): Masterclass & Discussions
Participants, beneficiaries, and the public gathered at the Art Gallery Auditorium for informal networking ahead of the masterclass.
Welcoming remarks were delivered by:
● Obenne Mbaakanyi, Director of Creative and Cultural Sector Development at the National Arts Council of Botswana
● Angélique Saverino, Director of Alliance Française de Gaborone. Both highlighted the importance of creativity, entrepreneurship, and global collaborations in strengthening Botswana’s fashion industry.
Amah Ayivi and Tamburai Chirume presented an overview of the week’s educational program, outlining key topics such as branding, storytelling, production systems, retail
readiness, and sustainability.
In this powerful session, both experts shared their career journeys, lessons learned, business philosophies, and the realities of building brands within Africa’s dynamic fashion landscape.
Topics included:
● Transforming creative ideas into revenue streams
● Building recognizable, purpose-driven brands
● Creating sustainable business models
● Leveraging African heritage in global fashion markets
● The mindset required for long-term industry success
Designers and public attendees engaged the experts with questions on pricing, brand identity, scaling production, storytelling, and international reach. The dialogue was open, honest, and rich with practical advice
The morning ended with a vibrant networking session where designers mingled with peers, industry leaders, and the wider creative community.
AFTERNOON SESSION (Beneficiaries Only): Designer Pitches & Brand Insights
In the closed afternoon session, beneficiaries of the Création Botswana programme participated in Brand Elevator Pitches, co-animated by Amah and Tamburai.
Each designer had two minutes to present:
● Name & brand story
● Target audience & product offering
● Biggest business challenge(s)
● What they hoped to achieve from the week’s program
This session allowed the experts to:
● Understand each designer’s current position
● Identify areas where support is most needed
● Begin shaping the in-depth workshop curriculum for the week
It also gave designers an important opportunity to practice presenting their brands clearly, confidently, and professionally an essential skill for pitching to buyers, investors, media, and collaborators.
A Transformative Start to the Educational Week
The March masterclass set an inspiring tone for the intensive workshop sessions that followed. Designers walked away with:
● A deeper understanding of the business side of fashion
● New frameworks for decision-making and brand growth
● Stronger clarity on their unique brand identity
● Renewed motivation to refine their craft and strategy
By combining open public learning with beneficiary-focused development, Création Botswana continues to strengthen Botswana’s creative economy and build pathways for designers to thrive locally, regionally, and internationally.
