Season 1 Closing Event

SEASON 1 CLOSING EVENT

Création Africa Botswana Season 1 Concludes with Celebration at the French Residence

Her Excellency Valérie Baraban hosted a reception at the French Residence to mark the close of Création Botswana Season 1. In her remarks, H.E. Baraban underscored the strength of France–Botswana collaboration and the role of the creative economy; hinting at exciting prospects for a Season 2 of Création Botswana.

Programme partners Absa Bank Botswana and Lucara Botswana were in attendance:

Mr. Thuso Tseetse (Head of Global Corporates, Absa) spoke to the sector’s economic potential and offered encouragement to participating designers.

Ms. Naseem Lahri (Managing Director, Lucara Botswana) reaffirmed Lucara’s commitment to Botswana’s creative sector and to Création Botswana. She also introduced Mpho Mogatle, winner of the Lucara Botswana Jewelry Design Competition, whose Messika necklace and earrings were worn by H.E. Baraban during the event.

Création Botswana project manager Nature Inger made closing remarks, celebrating the success of the season1 cohort and thanking all beneficiaries and partners for the contribution towards making this wonderful program a success.

The afternoon included designer spotlights, partner acknowledgements, and a networking reception; closing Season 1 on a strong, collaborative note.

Season 1 Highlights

Monthly Capacity-Building:

Week-long workshop cycles combining brand development, product strategy, quality assurance, sourcing, pricing, export readiness, storytelling, media, and marketing—delivered with international experts.

Learning Expedition—France (Paris & Montpellier):

In Paris, the cohort immersed in Paris Fashion Week activity, met buyers and curators, visited studios and concept stores, conducted sourcing reconnaissance across key textile hubs, and hosted a retail pop-up with Marché Noir. In Montpellier, Halle Tropisme delivered a structured programme featuring fittings and rehearsals, a dedicated Botswana runway presentation, a public pop-up/atelier, and numerous education excursions. Across both cities, designers engaged cultural institutions and industry partners to build networks and sharpen market intelligence.

Mentoring & Grants:

One-on-one mentoring for all beneficiaries; P15,000grants for each Cohort 1 designer and P50,000 grants for each Cohort 2 designer to strengthen operations, production, and market preparation.

itching Competition & Awards:

A high-stakes pitch before a distinguished jury; prize recipients announced at the pop-up market with awards supported by Absa Bank Botswana, Lucara Botswana, Création Botswana, and guest juror Rich Mnisi.

Learning Expedition—South Africa:

Studio tours (e.g., Thebe Magugu, MAXHOSA AFRICA), sourcing reconnaissance, retail ecosystem visits (44 Stanley, We Are EGG), museum walkabouts (Museum Africa’s Fashion Accounts), and expert masterclasses.

Market-Facing Showcases:

The Création Botswana Pop-Up Market (Gaborone) with live performances and family-friendly activities, plus the Season 1 closing runway event.

Looking Ahead to Season 2

Création Botswana’s stakeholders confirm that plans for Season 2 are underway, with final details to be announced. Building on Season 1’s foundation—skills development, production quality, brand systems, and market access—the next season aims to deepen international collaboration and expand opportunities for Botswana’s fashion entrepreneurs.

Season 1 Closing Event