KHALALA.COM
BONONO MERCHANTS "Our goal is to share Basotho culture, stories, and take back property ownership of our textiles and value added exports from the Chinese"
APRIIL 2017
"We do not follow trends. We do not design what people like or love but rather, we make people love what we design"
KEMET DESIGNS "Our goal is to take Lesotho to the world"
HOUSE OF THETHANA
LESOTHO FASHION ENTREPRENEURS
LESOTHO
FACTS
Capital: Maseru
Population 2.2 million
Area: 30,355 sq km (11,720 sq miles)
Major languages: Sesotho, English
Major religion: Christianity
Life expectancy: 50 years (men), 48 years (women)
Currency: loti
LEADERS
Head of state: King Letsie III
Prime minister: Pakalitha Mosisili ECONOMY GNI: US$2.9bn GNI PC: US$1,550 GDP Growth: 2009–13
5.0% p.a.
Inflation: 5.4% p.a. 2009– 13
T
Lesotho is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy, and King Letsie III is ceremonial head of state. The country’s prime minister is Pakalitha Mosisili. The economy of this landlocked and mountainous country is inseparably linked with that of its much bigger and more developed neighbour, South Africa. A large number of Basotho work in South Africa – around 100,000 in the mid-1990s, falling to 40,500 in 2010 – and most of the government’s income comes from Southern African Customs Union import tariffs. Economic swings in South Africa are the biggest single influence on Lesotho’s economy. CLOTHING & TEXTILES SECTOR Measures to diversify the economy have included encouragement of manufacturing, particularly of clothing, textiles, leather goods and footwear, and of tourism, including establishment of a ski resort in the Drakensberg.
From 2005, exporters of textiles and
THE KINGDOM OF LESOTHO
clothing faced stronger competition in the US market from Asian producers, as their quotas were raised. But in 2006, measures under the US African Growth and Opportunity Act underpinned a recovery in the clothing industry, and production rose. The strong growth of the 1990s was interrupted by the outbreak of political unrest in late 1998. There was large-scale damage to property and loss of an estimated 4,000 jobs. The economy was plunged into recession and contracted by nearly five per cent in 1998, compounded by rising unemployment due to the return of migrant mine workers. It only recovered in 2000, with a resumption of good growth in 2001 and this was sustained through the 2000s, until it slowed slightly in response to the global economic downturn in 2008–09, picking up again in 2010 (with growth of 7.1 per cent), continuing with growth of at least four per cent p.a. in 2012–15 █
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ABOU
Beauty is a deeply subjective – even divisive – experience, especially within the Afric thetics? The function? The thoughts or feelings it evokes? The story behind it? Whate
The Most Beautiful Fashion Item From Africa (MBFIFA), brought to you by KHALALA cious fashion gems to the international community. Every year, KHALALA invites ten Fashion Item From Africa. The 10 nominated fashion items are showcased in Paris, editors, bloggers, Government as well as the business sector. This panel of judges al announced in Pa
For 2017, and for the first time in history, MBFIFA will focus exclusively on fashion crowned the most be
This serves as an official invitation to all Lesotho Fashion Entrepreneurs to submit selected international celebrities and high profile influence
For more information on how to enter, y
FOR SPONSORSHIPS | PARTNERSHIPS AND
UT MBFIFA
can Fashion context. What makes a fashion item “beautiful�? Does it lie in the aesever your answer, the notion is one that deserves to be considered and questioned.
A, is an annual competition aimed at discovering and showcasing Africa's most pren international celebrities and high profile influencers to nominate the Most Beautiful , FRANCE at an exhibition attended by international fashion buyers, media, fashion longsise the international general public then decides their favourite object, which is aris, FRANCE.
n design aesthetics from LESOTHO. Which 'Made in Lesotho' fashion item will be eautiful from Africa?
t applications for their best fashion item to be considered for MBFIFA nomination by ers. Deadline for submission is 15 April 2017 at noon.
you can email us at info@khalala.com
D/OR COLLABORATIONS: info@khalala.com
APRIL My name is Mahadi Granier and I am the Editor in Chief and Founder of KHALALA. Welcome to our April 2017 Issue, dedicated to Lesotho Fashion Entrepreneurs. I sincerely hope you will find the content compelling and inspiring. I would like to introduce myself to our new readers. I am a South African, born and raised in Lesotho and currently living in Paris, France with my husband and two kids aged 4 (boy) and 2 (girl) years old. I hold a Masters in International Business obtained with Distinction (Summa cum laude) from Grenoble Graduate School of Business in France. I have worked and lived in many countries including South Africa, Lesotho, Canada, United Kingdom, United States of America and now Paris. Prior to founding KHALALA, I worked as a Director for the Department of Trade and Industry in South Africa.
@KHALALAPARIS
I founded KHALALA in September 2015, which incorporates my interests for African fashion, travel, small enterprise development, African entrepreneurship, international business, African development and poverty alleviation. I am passionate about African fashion and entrepreneurship and my current role enables me to promote African Fashion Entrepreneurs internationally and more specifically in France. By so doing, I am able to broaden their global customer reach through a platform that creates international market access for their fashion businesses. Entrepreneurship is the biggest catalyst for job creation in Africa and is a significant contributor to economic growth and poverty eradication in developing countries at large. Through KHALALA, my intention is to support African Government’s broader missions of building a dynamic industrial, globally competitive African continent economy, characterized by inclusive growth and development, decent employment and equity, build upon the full potential of all African citizens.
MAHADI GRANIER | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
BONONO MERCHANTS
p28
KEMET DESIGNS & CREATIVES
p14
APRIL CONTENTS LA MONDZ
p56
p42
HOUSE OF THETHANA
KHALALA FASHION EVENT IN PARIS, FRANCE MAY 2017 EVENT NO.
1
25 - 31 MAY 2017 UNESCO AFRICA WEEK - FASHION Paris, FRANCE KHALALA POP-UP SHOP THEME | I'm an African
ABOUT | During this period, KHALALA will set up a pop up shop themed “I’m an African” aimed at promoting cultural exchange, integration, unity and solidarity within the continent in line with Africa Month celebration hosted by UNESCO in Paris. This event will promote African culture and the international business of African fashion and serve as a platform to celebrate African Identity. The best emerging and young African fashion designers will join their Pan-African counterparts to showcase some of the most exciting local and Pan-African designs. The designers will comprise a mix of Fashion Designers, Jewelry Manufacturers as well as 1 Accessories manufacturer. The collaboration will also feature an extensive range of fashion-related design such as jewellery, millinery, footwear and handbags as well as contemporary African ceramics and visual art. On 25 May (Africa Day and the official opening of the Pop-Up Shop, KHALALA will host a business to business cocktail event which will serve as a networking session where the most influential international buyers, celebrities, French fashion designers, media, bloggers, editors and other people of interest will be invited, all aimed at creating a platform that connects South African young and emerging fashion designers with international buyers.
TO PARTICIPATE | FOR SPONSORSHIPS | FUNDING | PARTNERSHIPS AND/OR COLLABORATIONS: info@khalala.com
KHALALA FASHION EVENT IN PARIS, FRANCE JUNE 2017 EVENT NO.
2
18 – 20 JUNE 2017 Paris, FRANCE ABOUT SPLASH PARIS | This event is a showcase of luxury resort wear brands from across the world for presentation to premium buyers for Resort and High Summer. It is held annually in Paris. It is a beautifully curated show in the heart of Paris in late June. It enables buyers to have a one stop shop for all their resort wear buying needs. For this event, KHALALA will invite one African emerging swimwear designer who’s brand needs to be noticed internationally right now. These brands run the gamut of styles and attitude and have roots everywhere from Miami all the way to Australia. In order to be considered for the showcase, designers must submit their company profile, look books and stockist information.
TO PARTICIPATE | FOR SPONSORSHIPS | FUNDING | PARTNERSHIPS AND/OR COLLABORATIONS: info@khalala.com
KHALALA™: Tell us about KEMET™. What were you doing before you became a fashion designer? KEMET™: I got into fashion design when I was a student at the National University of Lesotho, BA Humanities, majoring in Philosophy and Development Studies. My partner was a college graduate for Business Management.
KHALALA™: Why did you decide to start a Clothing and Textiles business?
emet
KEMET™: Art is an expression of mind, with the intension of portraying meaning directly and or indirectly, I have always believed our clothing line to be an expression of Africanism, mostly Southern Africa, to bring to the attention of the world that we exist, that we are a people with different values and culture. Our brand name KEMET, is derived from the ancient African or Kemetic era that has had a lot of positive influence to the world civilization. KHALALA™: Who do you design for? Are you targetmarket driven? KEMET™: This is clothing with artistic value, we design for everyone that can connect to the inspiration behind our designs, for people that can connect to the aesthetic value of our garments. Our philosophy is that we do not follow trends, that is, we do not design what people like or love but rather we make people love what we de design.
Designs & Creati
DESIGNS THAT DEFINE
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KHALALA™: What are your preferences? Being a generalist designer or highly specialized? And why? KEMET™: I am an artist, i do not conform to limits, I abide by inspiration hence I prefer to be general, thereby still tapping a bit into the highly specialized demand. KHALALA™: Do you have any special goal with your clothes? (Inspire anyone? Explore your passion? Cultural exchange, etc)? KEMET™: I explore my passion for cultural exchange through inspiring others. My goal is to see KEMET as Lesotho’s biggest international brand, to see what we produce in Lesotho rock the streets and ramps of Paris, New York, London, etc. KHALALA™: What is your favorite part about being a fashion designer? KEMET™: Having the ability to be a perception shifter in what people wear, having the ability to define people through what they wear, hence dignifying them. KHALALA™: What has been your greatest achievement so far? KEMET™: Designing Basotho blanket jackets for Lesotho’s Royal Palace, His Majesty King Letsie the Third and Her Majesty Queen ‘Masenate Mohato Seeiso.
KHALALA™: What has been your greatest challenge so far? KEMET™: Getting our garments to the international market. KHALALA™: Is the production of your garments outsourced or done inhouse? In Lesotho or elsewhere? Why? KEMET™: It is done inhouse here in Lesotho. Our business is also a response to youth unemployment. We have employed people who were otherwise unemployed. We also practice green economy. Most of the material we use is recycled from bigger industries here in Lesotho. KHALALA™: Are the materials and fabrics you use to create your garments 100% Made in Lesotho? Why is that? Why not? KEMET™: Most of the material is not made in Lesotho. Lesotho is a small country that has limited factories that produce clothes and clothing accessories. Most of our raw material is unfortunately still imported from across Africa. KHALALA™: Through which channels do existing customers procure your designs? KEMET™: We have a retail outlet in Maseru where customers can procure our designs. We also have a facebook page where
they can order, if they are from abroad and we can do international shipping to get their orders courier to them. KHALALA™: Is there significant interest for your designs internationally? If so, which markets specifically? KEMET™: From the international trade expeditions we have attended, there was significant interest from the international market, especially Europe and America. KHALALA™: Which international channels do you use to market and sell your products? KEMET™: Presently, we only have facebook. However, we are also working on the launch of our new website.
KHALALA™: How many local and international fashion trade shows have you participated in? KEMET™: Two and eight local.
international
KHALALA™: What would showing in Paris or another major international platform mean and do for your brand?
KEMET™: Our primary aspiration is to take our culture and aesthetic ability to the world, therefore such international exposure will enable us to do so. KHALALA™: What type of external support have you received towards launching and growing your fashion brand? Can an emerging Fashion Entrepreneur
do it without (sponsors, etc)?
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KHALALA FASHION EVENT IN PARIS, FRANCE JULY 2017 EVENT NO.
3 SPECIAL GUEST: SONWABILE NDAMASE Madiba Shirt Fashion Designer
18 - 25 JULY 2017, Paris, FRANCE KHALALA POP-UP SHOP THEME | How To Dress an Icon SPECIAL GUEST: Sonwabile Ndamase — Creator of the Madiba Shirt ABOUT | During this period, KHALALA will set up a pop up shop themed “How to Dress an Icon”. Sonwabile Ndamase is the man behind the Madiba shirt and the godfather of African style. On 18 July (Nelson Mandela International Day and the official opening of the Pop-Up Shop, Sonwabile will give an opening address on his journey as a personal fashion designer to Nelson Mandela. The keynote address will also focus on the Legacy of Nelson Mandela and how designers can position themselves to dress global icons. Five (5) emerging and young South African fashion designers, comprised of 2 Fashion Designers, 2 Jewelry Manufacturers as well as 1 Accessories manufacturers will exhibit and sell their garments. The pop-up shop is in celebration of Nelson Mandela International Day (or Mandela Day), an annual international day in honour of Nelson Mandela, celebrated each year on 18 July, Mandela's birthday. This fashion event is a global call to action that celebrates the idea that young people, through creative fashion design, have the power to transform the world. It will be a call to action for French society to spend a minimum of 67 Euros on South African fashion on display bringing French and South African people together to fight poverty and promote peace, reconciliation and cultural diversity. On the day, KHALALA will host a business to business cocktail event which will serve as a networking session where the most influential international buyers, celebrities, French fashion designers, media, bloggers, editors and other people of interest will be invited, all aimed at creating a platform that connects South African young and emerging fashion designers with international buyers.
TO PARTICIPATE | FOR SPONSORSHIPS | FUNDING | PARTNERSHIPS AND/OR COLLABORATIONS: info@khalala.com
KHALALA FASHION EVENT IN PARIS, FRANCE SEP—OCT 2017 EVENT NO.
4
26 SEPTEMBER - 4 OCTOBER 2017 PARIS FASHION WEEK - PRET-A-PORTER Paris, FRANCE KHALALA POP-UP SHOP THEME | African Heritage
ABOUT | During this period, KHALALA will set up a pop up shop to exhibit and sell designs from emerging and young fashion designers. The designers will comprise a mix of Fashion Designers, Accessories manufacturers as well as Deco. To complete the ambiance, 1 African visual artist as well as 1 contemporary African Ceramist will be invited to exhibit their works at the shop. The pop-up shop will be themed “African Heritage” in celebration of Heritage Day on 24 September. The shop will feature ready to wear designs that draw inspiration from Africa’s rich and diverse heritage, varied cultures, traditions and customs in the wider context of a continent that belongs to all its people. The designs on display will reflect an array of modern interpretation of traditional culture, varying from tribe to tribe such as Zulu, Xhosa, Venda, Ndebele, Sotho, etc. On 26 September (first day of Paris Fashion Week Pret-a-Porter and the official opening of the Pop-Up Shop, KHALALA™ will host a business to business cocktail event which will serve as a networking session where the most influential international buyers, celebrities, French fashion designers, media, bloggers, editors and other people of interest will be invited, all aimed at creating a platform that connects South African young and emerging fashion designers with international buyers.
TO PARTICIPATE | FOR SPONSORSHIPS | FUNDING | PARTNERSHIPS AND/OR COLLABORATIONS: info@khalala.com
MUSO MASOABI
KABELOAMANONG
MUSO MASOABI Visual Artist Muso was born in Lesotho, where his father was in exile during apartheid. Muso is a self-taught artist, who’s work is deeply moving and borders on surrealism. Art remains an outlet he utilizes to express hurt, struggle, fear, confusion and joy. His latest series called ‘kabeloamanong - through a man’s eyes you can see his soul’ narrates hardships and joys he has endured throughout his life journey thus far. Loosely translated, kabeloamanong, speaks of how when a baby boy is born, his destiny is set out for him as he will have to leave home in search for it. Should he die far away from home, his burial will be vultures feeding on his body. This concept is born of a different time when patriarchy dictated different fates for boys and girls, but the principle of one having to leave the homestead in search of greener pastures and ‘making it’, is still as relevant today as it was years ago. Johannesburg, in particular, being the ultimate promise of fulfilling dreams and destinies. Muso’s work has been exhibited throughout South Africa and beyond. His passion for his art shines through in the work itself but also in how he speaks about his work. CONTACT Email: muso737@gmail.com | Phone: +27 (0) 81 819 0947
one of the highest exporters of textiles in Southern Africa and all the exported goods are not a property of Basotho firms but mostly Chinese firms so we wanted to localize textiles and own a certain percentage of our exports.
KHALALA™: Tell us about BONONO™. What were you doing before you became a fashion designer? BONONO™: I studied electronics so I have been working as a core engineer for a local telecoms service provider. KHALALA™: Why did you decide to start a Clothing and Textiles business? BONONO™: Lesotho is
KHALALA™: Who do you design for? Are you targetmarket driven? BONONO™: Our target market is people aged between 20 - 40 KHALALA™: What are your preferences? Being a generalist designer or highly specialized? And why? BONONO™: At the moment we are more of generalists designers because we want to have market that cuts across specialties. KHALALA™: Do you have any special goal with your clothes? (Inspire anyone? Explore your passion?
onono
Merchants
Cultural exchange, etc)? BONONO™: We want to share our culture and the stories of Basotho through these clothes. This way, we able to also inspire a new Mosotho who is proud and patriotic about their culture. KHALALA™: What is your favorite part about being a fashion designer? BONONO™: So far, it has been being able to translate Basotho stories into a garment that reflect our times. KHALALA™: What has been your greatest achievement so far? BONONO™: Last November, we were invited to showcase our garments in Malawi at an African Fashion festival. KHALALA™: What has been your greatest challenge so far? BONONO™: To set up a proper working studio. KHALALA™: Is the production of your garments outsourced or done inhouse? In Lesotho or elsewhere? Why? BONONO™: Production is done locally after
BASOTHO FASHION IS ART
identifying a number of local seamstresses. This is our way of contributing to local economy. KHALALA™: Are the materials and fabrics you use to create your garments 100% Made in Lesotho? Why is that? Why not? BONONO™: We use the most culturally celebrated fabric in Lesotho, Seshoeshoe and unfortunately produced in South Africa. We looking to create our own fabrics in the near future. KHALALA™: Through which channels do existing customers procure your designs? BONONO™: We are currently only selling online via our facebook page KHALALA™: Is there significant interest for your designs internationally? If so, which markets specifically? BONONO™: We haven’t really pushed our products to international markets. KHALALA™: How many local and international fashion trade shows have you participated in?
BONONO™ : We haven’t participated in any so far.
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the dream that we have and the passion we share. KHALALA™: What’s next in the near future?
BONONO™: We are looking to open more channels so we tap into international markets.
KHALALA™: How can people get hold of you? BONONO™: We are currently available on facebook as Bonono Merchants, also via Instagram as Bonono Merchants…Our website is still under construction but should be online by end of the second quarter █ AFRICAN, UNIQUE & STYLISH
KHALALA FASHION EVENT IN PARIS, FRANCE JULY 2017 EVENT NO.
5
2 - 6 JULY 2017 PARIS FASHION WEEK - HAUTE COUTURE KHALALA POP-UP SHOP THEME | The Spirit of Ubuntu ABOUT | During this period, KHALALA will set up a pop up shop to exhibit and sell designs from emerging and young fashion designers. The designers will comprise a mix of Fashion Designers, Accessories manufacturers as well as Deco. The pop-up shop will be themed “The Spirit of Ubuntu� featuring designs that reflect a set of African values that reinforce our humanity and connectedness. To complete the ambiance, 1 African visual artist as well as 1 contemporary African Ceramist will be invited to exhibit their works at the shop. The essence of this theme is to reinforce the interconnectedness between France and Africa and to demonstrate the idea that when young and emerging designers do well, it spreads out for the consumption of the whole of humanity. As Africa emerged from colonialism and began to explore ways to build a stronger and more cohesive nations this will serve as a demonstration to the world of the economic contribution that young and emerging African designers can make through their artistic talent. This platform will serve as the beginning of a long term exchange and a business opportunity between France and Africa while reenforcing and strengthening the bilateral trade relations that exist between France and parts of the African continent in the field of fashion design. On 2 July (first day of Paris Fashion Week Haut Couture and the official opening of the Pop-Up Shop, KHALALA will host a business to business cocktail event which will serve as a networking session where the most influential international buyers, celebrities, French fashion designers, media, bloggers, editors and other people of interest will be invited, all aimed at creating a platform that connects African young and emerging fashion designers with international buyers.
TO PARTICIPATE | FOR SPONSORSHIPS | FUNDING | PARTNERSHIPS AND/OR COLLABORATIONS: info@khalala.com
Maliba Lodge is the first and only 5-star luxury Lesotho accommodation in Southern Africa. It is located in a pristine national park in the heart of this Mountain Kingdom.Maliba is a pleasant 4.5 hours drive from Johannesburg International Airport. It offers both luxury all inclusive and self catering lodges that satisfy all budgets. This award winning lodge has a spa, Bana Kids Club, 5 -star gourmet restaurant and amazing staff that cater for every need. CONTACT: reservations@maliba-lodge.com +27 31 702 8791 +27 31 702 8776 www.maliba-lodge.com
decide to start HOUSE OF THETHANA™?
KHALALA™: Tell us about HOUSE OF THETHANA™. What were you doing before you became a fashion accessories Entrepreneur? HOUSE OF THETHANA™: Maleeto worked as a graphic designer at Lesotho Times newspaper, and Phutheho worked as a designer at Vodacom Lesotho. KHALALA™: Why did you
HOUSE OF THETHANA™: The idea to start H.O.T started during a conversation I was having with my co-founder, Phutheho. We were talking about how amazing it would be to use our design sense and creativity in a way that promotes Lesotho. So being lovers of beautiful things, that’s when we came up with the idea of creating a Lesotho lifestyle brand. We wanted our designs to be relatable, hence the thought of incorporating them onto fabric. This was the logical option considering that fabric fits into everyone’s life. Be it with home interiors or clothing, there is a significant need for fabric in our day to day lives. We wanted people to have a piece of Lesotho in their everyday life.
Ouse of Thethana
KHALALA™: What gap had you identify in the market? HOUSE OF THETHANA™: The gap we identified in the market was a growing need in the area for modern Lesotho- inspired interiors and garments. Lesotho is a developing country yet has a significant growth of middle class households and a growing accommodation and hospitality service that is conscious of the appearance and feel of their living space. KHALALA™: Who do you design for? Are you targetmarket driven? HOUSE OF THETHANA™: Our target market comprises of Tourists, local Basotho middle to high income individuals, Lesotho’s expatriate community as well as the general hospitality sector seeking interior products to decorate their accommodation facilities. KHALALA™: What are your preferences with your fashion accessories? Being a generalist designer or highly specialized? And why?
LESOTHO INSPIRED FABRIC
HOUSE OF THETHANA™: Our preference is simplicity. Our items are relatable and can be used by anybody. KHALALA™: Do you have any special goal with your fashion accessories? (Inspire anyone? Explore your passion? Cultural exchange, etc)? HOUSE OF THETHANA™: Our goal is to take Lesotho to the world through design. We want to use our prints to represent and sell Lesotho on a global scale. By doing so, we will effectively contribute towards job creation as well as improve and develop the creative design industry in Lesotho. Our miss ion is to use creativity as a catalyst for economic growth and development in Lesotho. KHALALA™: What is your favorite part about being a fashion entrepreneur? HOUSE OF THETHANA™: Being a fashion entrepreneur is really a lot of fun. It doesn’t feel like work most of the time. Also, its great in that you get to create your own opportunities through attending conventions, fashion shows and networking with like-minded people. It also doesn’t limit your creatively. We get to make products which we ourselves personally love and believe in. KHALALA™: What has been your greatest achievement so far?
HOUSE OF THETHANA™: There has been many great achievements so far for us. But one recent one is be has been being invited to the Trade Impact summit for women led Social Enterprises in Morocco. It was su show in Canada later this year called the ATSC (Apparel textile sourcing Canada) 2017 in August. Last year, w the work of artists from around the continent and tells the world about what they do. KHALALA™: What has been your greatest challenge so far?
HOUSE OF THETHANA™: Having to source input material from South Africa still remains a significant cha
KHALALA™: What and/or who are some of your design inspirations?
HOUSE OF THETHANA™: We are inspired by designers such as Stoned Cherrie, Skinny Laminx and the De KHALALA™: What makes you stand out among other designers?
HOUSE OF THETHANA™: What makes us stand out and unique is our prints. Our Lesotho inspired print sented through striking visual spreads. The designs are savvy on the global stage, are creative and represent KHALALA™: Through which channels do existing customers procure your designs?
HOUSE OF THETHANA™: Social media is our main tool We are on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter: All th
eing featured on BBC Africa. It truly is a big achievement when the world starts to notice your work. Another uch an honor to have been invited to such an international event. We will also be attending another Trade we also got featured in a global online magazine called ‘’Okay Africa”, an online publication which highlights
allenge. This affects our production lead times very badly.
esign Team. These designers have truly paved the way for us.
ts contribute to commercializing Lesotho’s heritage, by using forward thinking textile designs, which are preLesotho as a whole, from its multitude of landscapes, its unique culture and the richness of its people.
hese three platforms have been extremely effective in reaching our target audience. We have also recently
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ALA™: Is there signifiterest for your designs tionally? If so, which s specifically?
E OF THETHANA™: wners of African craft have shown significant t.
ALA™: How many lod international trade have you participated
E OF THETHANA™: , we often participate rkets that are orgaby the Ministry of m in Lesotho. Internay we have taken part trade shows so far.
ALA™: What would g or exhibiting in Parnother major internaplatform mean and do r brand?
E OF THETHANA™: uld mean everything. ave been observing a international interest products, and even wners based in France hown interest in being ckists. If we attended
a Trade show, it would make it easier for people interested in buying to have one on one interaction with us and to see our products. Also it would broaden our customer base. KHALALA™: What type of external support have you received towards launching and growing your brand? Can an emerging Fashion Entrepreneur do it without external funding (sponsors, etc)? HOUSE OF THETHANA™: House of Thethana was one of the winners of the 2014 Maluti Mountain Brewery Project Kickstart fund, which is a project designed for young entrepreneurs to help them start their business. Towards this end; we were awarded seed funding in cash as injection to help grow our business. KHALALA™: What is your message to young and emerging Fashion Entrepreneurs out there trying to launch, grow or sustain their brand? HOUSE OF THETHANA™: Just start and keep at it. It is not impossible to become a successful entrepreneur. To think that once upon a time,
HOUSE OF THETHANA™ was just an idea that two students had, and it eventually came into fruition should be inspiration enough to “just start”. And also be willing to learn from those with more experience than you. Futhermore, always be unique. Find an angle that makes you stand out from other entrepreneurs in your field. KHALALA™: What’s next in the near future? HOUSE OF THETHANA™: We want to continue to grow and take Lesotho to the world through design. We also dream of seeing our prints on the catwalk. KHALALA™: How can people get hold of you? HOUSE OF THETHANA™: Email: Thethanatextiles@gmail.com Facebook and Twitter: House of Thethana
Instagram: House_of_Thethana Etsy: House of Thethana Goods █
KHALALA FASHION EVENT IN PARIS, FRANCE SEP 2017 EVENT NO.
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8 – 11 SEPTEMBER 2017 Porte de Versailles Paris - FRANCE WHO’S NEXT trade show unites French and international ready-to-wear collections across 5 different areas: FAME, PRIVATE, TRENDY, URBAN, STUDIO. 20 years after its creation, WHO’S NEXT has become the leading international fashion trade show for womenswear in Europe. In January and September, the event welcomes 50,000 visitors through its doors at the Porte de Versailles Exhibition Centre in Paris, with around 700 French and international readyto-wear brands there for them to discover. WHO’S NEXT takes place in conjunction with PREMIERE CLASSE, the leading accessories trade show.
PREMIERE CLASSE trade show presents designers from all Fashion Accessories Markets. For 25 years, PREMIERE CLASSE has been the prestigious meeting point for fashion accessories designers, showcasing leading and emerging brands. The PREMIERE CLASSE range responds to your requirements using the market trends. Acclaimed for it’s exclusive selection, the trade show showcases 900 brands and designers in jewellery, shoes, leather goods as well as other types of accessories, especially chosen for their creativity, originality and style. During this period, KHALALA will exhibit and sell designs from THREE emerging and young fashion designers. The designers will comprise a mix of Fashion Designers, Accessories manufacturers as well as Deco. To complete the ambiance, 1 African visual artist as well as 1 contemporary African Ceramist will be invited to exhibit their works at the shop.
TO PARTICIPATE | FOR SPONSORSHIPS | FUNDING | PARTNERSHIPS AND/OR COLLABORATIONS: info@khalala.com
KHALALA FASHION EVENT IN PARIS, FRANCE OCT 2017
EVENT NO.
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28 OCTOBER 2017 AFRICA FASHION RECEPTION - UNESCO Paris - FRANCE KHALALA POP-UP SHOP THEME | Southern Africa ABOUT | Once a year, UNESCO in partnership with the African Union and co hosted by the Nigerian Government, plays host to the global edition of the Africa Fashion Reception (AFR) in its Place de Fontenoy headquarter in Paris, France. The African edition is hosted by the African Union in its headquarters in Addis Ababa during the same year. The Paris leg of AFR is a culmination of a new patronage and partnership between the Africa Fashion Reception and UNESCO (the world’s number 1 cultural organization). AFR is a Pan African initiative that gathers fashion designers, dignitaries, Ambassadors and media from over 30 African countries, in a celebration of cultural diversity expressed through the artistic fashion discipline with the proud theme ‘Africa is the New Inspiration of Global Fashion’. Activities lined up during the Global edition include African Fashion Business Summit and exhibition by each of the participating countries. AFR is aimed at using the creative industry of Fashion as a vehicle to build bridges by creating free trade and partnerships among fashion practitioners throughout the African continent. It serves as a platform that attracts global attention to Africa’s very rich and diversified dress culture which can be explored as a catalyst for the social economic growth of the continent’s garment/textile industry. Furthermore, AFR uses fashion as a tool to fight poverty in Africa by creating wealth through the empowerment of women and youths in the various fashion vocations through training, capacity building schemes, workshops and setting up of medium/small scale businesses thereby supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union Agenda 2063. During this period, KHALALA will set up a pop up shop to exhibit and sell designs from emerging and young Southern African fashion designers. The designers will comprise a mix of Fashion Designers, Accessories manufacturers as well as Deco. To complete the ambiance, 1 African visual artist as well as 1 contemporary African Ceramist will be invited to exhibit their works at the shop. The pop-up shop will be themed “Southern Africa”, which will be amongst 30 other participating African countries. On 28 October (during the African Fashion Reception event and the official opening of the Pop-Up Shop, KHALALA will host a business to business cocktail event which will serve as a networking session where the most influential international buyers, celebrities, French fashion designers, media, bloggers, editors and other people of interest will be invited, all aimed at creating a platform that connects South African young and emerging fashion designers with international buyers. TO PARTICIPATE | FOR SPONSORSHIPS | FUNDING | PARTNERSHIPS AND/OR COLLABORATIONS: info@khalala.com
KHALALA™: Please introduce LA MONDZ NATURAL BEAUTY™ LA MONDZ NATURAL BEAUTY™: Lamodz is a family owned small business that was established in 2015. We hand craft skin care products and hair products. Our products are 100% natural. KHALALA™: Why did you
decide to open a business in Australia?
solutions to customers based all over the world.
LA MONDZ NATURAL BEAUTY™: I have a very sensitive skin. It got worse when I was pregnant with my son. I read a lot about skin problems and took a training in aromatherapy for natural living. I then started making body products for my family. I also gave some to friends as gifts. Everybody loved them. That’s when I realized there were quite a few people out there who could benefit from these products.
KHALALA™: What challenges or barriers do you typically face while running a business in Australia?
KHALALA™: What do you enjoy the most about working in international business? LA MONDZ NATURAL BEAUTY™: I enjoying being able to provide
LA MONDZ NATURAL BEAUTY™: As an SME, setting up was the most challenging part. I had to do everything myself. I had to learn certain skills from scratch, and had to execute tasks I did not know I was capable of. I was a jack of all traits and had to figure out the best and effective ways of marketing the products. Due to the nature of industry I operate in, I even had to insure my business, myself I had to investigate the best insurance company, the list goes on and on
If I had enough money, I would have just paid people to manage the business operations while I focused on my passion of manufacturing the products . KHALALA™: Besides the barriers mentioned above, competition is one of the biggest barriers to entry for small businesses. How is local competition? LA MONDZ NATURAL BEAUTY™: Competition is everywhere. I had to find ways of standing out and being slightly different.
KHALALA™: Raising capital is another big barrier. How did you overcome this huddle? LA MONDZ NATURAL BEAUTY™: Capital was a serious huddle. I injected initial capital from my family’s savings. I never took out a loan or received any type of external funding. KHALALA™: You are from Lesotho. There are very few Basotho owned businesses in Australia, let alone in the world. Why is that?
NATURAL BEAUTY
LA MONDZ NATURAL BEAUTY™: There are very few Basotho in Australia, to start with. I think that’s why there aren’t many Basotho owned Australian based businesses. KHALALA™: How has the Australian market as well as other international markets that you do business with, received your merchandise? LA MONDZ NATURAL BEAUTY™: All my clients love my products. The fact that they keep on coming back and giving positive feedback and recommendations says it all. KHALALA™: Tell us about any successful partnerships or strategic alliances you have developed while running a business in Australia. How have these partnerships benefited your business, if at all? LA MONDZ NATURAL BEAUTY™: I am a member of the International Institute For Complementary Therapists, which has provided me with a lot of assistance and guidance in getting the right insurance for my business.
KHALALA™: LA MONDZ NATURAL BEAUTY™ has a very strong online presence. Any plans to open up a bricks and mortar Boutique, to expand your online presence and introduce customer’s physical interaction with the products?
LA MONDZ NATURAL BEAUTY™: So far, I am mainly focusing on online because my current strategy is being able to have my products accessible 24 hours, 7 days a week to an international clientbase. KHALALA™: What are some of the changes you have seen in the international market since you started running your business? Any important trends and how have they impacted your business strategy? LA MONDZ NATURAL BEAUTY™: The market grows and changes very very fast. I always keep up with changes and make sure that I keep my eyes on the ball, no matter what. KHALALA™: What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from conducting business in
Australia? LA MONDZ NATURAL BEAUTY™: Being passionate about what I do and never giving up. I had to develop an elephant skin in order to remain in business. KHALALA™: For African SMEs wishing to penetrate Australia, which route to market option would you recommend (e.g. direct export sales? Direct sales using local representation? Foreign direct investment, etc)? LA MONDZ NATURAL BEAUTY™: As for market entry, it all depends on the product/service and the target market. I would advice other SME to be very clear about who their target market is. This way, they will be able to narrow down the entry strategies to what fits their business the most. KHALALA™: What advice do you have for African SMEs who are interested in doing business in Australia? LA MONDZ NATURAL BEAUTY™: Listen to your customers, both current and potential. Then use
that feedback to create a product or service that they need, instead of the one that you think they need. Solve an existing problem in the market. KHALALA™: How can people contact you? LA MONDZ NATURAL BEAUTY™: www.lamondz.com.au/
Facebook: lamondz, Website:
QUICK FACTS: My international business journey began in 2015……….. The first country I did international business with outside of Australia was USA…. My biggest achievement: receiving an award from Celebration of African Australians …. My biggest challenge: exporting to Africa. My products become very expensive because of exchange rate.……. My biggest surprise running an international business: getting orders from other continents…... My international business goal: to have Lamondz distributors in other countries especially Africa …….
I am inspired by: everyone who made it from humble beginnings …. I'm most proud of: my husband, who is forever supportive and conforting when things get tough. Lamondz wouldn’t be where it is if it wasn’t of his
his outstanding contribution ..…. My number one tip for international business is: Never underestimate social media marketing…….█
KHALALA FASHION EVENT IN PARIS, FRANCE JAN 2018 EVENT NO.
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17– 21 JANUARY 2017 PARIS FASHION WEEK - MEN’S WEAR KHALALA POP-UP SHOP THEME | The Rainbow Nation ABOUT | During this period, KHALALA will set up a pop up shop to exhibit and sell designs from emerging and young fashion designers. The designers will comprise a mix of Fashion Designers, Accessories manufacturers as well as Deco. To complete the ambiance, 1 African visual artist as well as 1 contemporary African Ceramist will be invited to exhibit their works at the shop. The pop-up shop will be themed “The Rainbow Nation” and will be a showcase of designs from different African racial groups. This will depict Africa as a melting pot of various races, cultures, creeds and backgrounds. The designers will be drawn from Black, White, Coloured, Indian and South-East Asian race group to showcase designs that reflect Africa’s cultural diversity, racial harmony, social cohesion and multi-culturalism and the coming together of peoples from different backgrounds in a continent once identified with the strict division of white and black. On 17 January (first day of Paris Fashion Week Men’s Wear and the official opening of the Pop-Up Shop, KHALALA will host a business to business cocktail event which will serve as a networking session where the most influential international buyers, celebrities, French fashion designers, media, bloggers, editors and other people of interest will be invited, all aimed at creating a platform that connects African young and emerging fashion designers with international buyers.
TO PARTICIPATE | FOR SPONSORSHIPS | FUNDING | PARTNERSHIPS AND/OR COLLABORATIONS:
info@khalala.com
KHALALA FASHION EVENT IN PARIS, FRANCE FEB 2018 EVENT NO.
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1 FEBRUARY – 31 MARCH 2018 ABOUT | To ensure commercial sustainability, KHALALA will invite one designer and provide them with international market access support into France to showcase their collection for a period of two months at a Paris retailer, fashion museum or appropriate showcase platform. Such support will be aimed at nurturing new, young creative talent with relatively little industry exposure, thus helping them knock down the barriers to entry as they get started. Such support will entail retail space lease, designer’s public relations (interviews with French fashion buyers, fashion bloggers, media, etc), appearances at Paris Fashion Industry Events, photographer and videographer as well as digital and social media platform domain services that will convert existing designer products into relevant digital format e.g. Ecommerce store, Website, Branding Material (logos, brochure, catalogue, business cards), Integrated multi-media platform e.g. YouTube, instagram, facebook, Twitter, etc. In order to be considered for the showcase, designers must be able to meet the stipulated retailer requirements. For long term commercial sustainability, KHALALA will explore the feasibility of pursuing one of the two options: •
Assisting the designer in setting up retail stores in the uber city on the international fashion circuit i.e. Paris;
•
Set up a Boutique in Paris that will stock exclusive designs from selected African designers for continuous display and unlimited sale to the French consumers and European market at large;.
TO PARTICIPATE | FOR SPONSORSHIPS | FUNDING | PARTNERSHIPS AND/OR COLLABORATIONS: info@khalala.com
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