1.Who are you in this crazy world of fashion?
I am a young woman aged 25 who wants to get her face hands toes my entire body actually in this crazi mystical world of FASHION. I am a beaded jewelry designer from Kanye Botswana. I never studied the art of beading I wasn’t even taught how to bead its something that’s been inside me since my first art class aged 5. I have always been in to art, art class was my escape route from all that was happening around me, I was in my own world where I was free to express my feelings with color. Before I carry on I should tell u that I cant draw to save my life…yep its true even my stick figures neva really look good, color is what I love. Never really considered myself fashion forward but I did turn heads back in my day *lol*. Generally people expect a fuller figured woman to keep themselves covered at all cost but I don’t. I wear what I feel will make me look good for me not 4 any1 else.( VIVA SELF LOVE VIVA!!!).... I started loving and appreciating fashion more in 2007. My confidence level was on a high and that was when my hobby turned into my now passion of making beaded accessories was what I lived for
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I loved to look good I have always been a somewhat outcast through out primary and high school, so now that I loved me I wanted to look different. I would dress in outfits no other plus size woman would dare wear, I showed sum leg my arms, would wear tops that didn’t cover my backside, wasn’t even afraid to show some thighage (LOL) people would stare some would shout negative remarks about my sense of style I gave my mom grey hairs but it really made me more confident and appreciate myself more. The beautiful thing is having people come up to me tellin me they look up to me my style I am actually dubbed the *PLUS SIZE FASHIONISTA* in Botswana.
2.What inspired you to do what you do?
A lady street vender who made and sold jewelry. 1stly I used to really go broke cz I used to spend my money on clothes and accessories and more *accessories*(dont we all..lol). So my friend suggested I should start making my own… to think about it I went out 4 a walk to the mall (to shop 4 jewelry) that’s where I met this woman who made creations and sold them. Her pieces were nice, they didn’t grab my attention all I kept thinking is they need something a lil extra added on them they were way too simple. That was when these beaded coasters captured my attention. They were beautiful I couldn’t keep my eyes off them. As I was analyzing them I got the idea to turn them in2 earrings. I immediately looked for another one that resembled the one I had in hand but I couldn’t find one. I asked her why I couldn’t find one that looked the same as the other she simply says every coaster has its own story when it was created no 1 could look like the other. That totally inspired me and that’s why with all my creations, head pieces earrings neckpieces I NEVA repeat the same color scheme. I don’t dress like anybody else I wouldn’t like to go to the club or session and find some1 wearing the same shoe, or outfit like me so my creations give one a sense of individualism. When one has a creation that I made they should relax and know they the ONLY person who has those colors in that design.(1 thing I 4got to mention I name all my EARRINGS after my friends or people that inspire me)3.A lil background on what you do and how it came about
Like I mentioned I was an art child I excelled in all things ARTSY. Got awards for them and also sold a mosaic I made in grade 6. I was also a music child in the choir and marimba band. That was primary school, high school unfortunately art wasn’t an option (it was quiet depressing). Varsity for me was where I let loose. I dressed how I wanted wherever, I remember while there, there was a lady called Makeda a soulful sister I truli loved her style, I started dressing like a soul sista still mad about color my headwraps where bright bright BRIGHT. I rocked the long thick braids hanged out at poetry sessions which happened almost on a daily it was totally fun. As time went I wanted to try out new styles but leaned more to the African Fashion side. My mom loves prints so I got most of my stuff from her. The same year that’s when I started making accessories I didn’t know what I was doing but did it and rocked it good. My friends were my live mannequins the happily rocked my not-so-perfect designs. As time went i got better and creativity was on a serious high. I met my BFF and she introduced me to her sister who is a fashion designer. We would stay up late nights the three of us creating earrings after earrings. It was nice to have people to create with and have a lovli chat while we busy. Came back home 2008 and never stopped with the creating. I did them for myself I started creating bolder designs and got a lot of peoples attention. February 8th 2009 was what I call my *coming out night* that’s when people got to know me and appreciate my work. That was the beginning…
4.Any collaborative works you have done?
I have collaborated with a lot of artists. 1stly in 2010 I met a designer who also made accessories, but the thing is she did her accessories only using waste products. I was quiet amused by her creations, I only used beads so I thot it would b a fantastic idea to mix in the two. I had way too much fun creating designs using can tops and beadsWe formed the label Exclussive Sun Designs and show cased at the Flaunt yo style fashion show and Somarela Green Fashion Show, this show was the best I got to see a lot of creativity in Botswana dresses and outfits made from garbage bags newspapers and plastic bags. August 21st 2010 was the 1st fashion shoot I orchestrated with the help of my artsy fartsy friends. We had Seeta creations on hand made shoes OutOfTheBlu on hand painted tee’s, Lily Nest and House of Divinity and me on accessories, Koketso Motshegare on paintings and sculptors and Puni on African dolls and mobiles. I thought it would be a really smart way for each designer to market their creations and add to their portfolios it was a massive plus 4 us cz we had way too much fun. The following year this year we just HAD to do anather shoot everyone loved the 1st one and the response we got from people was amazing. That’s when the fashion shoots *RETRO MEETS SUB SAHARA* and *FASHION4Acause* came to be. I love collaborating with diff artists I am privileged to say I HAVE THE MOST CREATIVE FRIENDS and they inspire me greatly.
Fashion for a Cause Photoshoot.jewelry by Sino Sea-Star Ragonste
5.What are your plans for taking your beatutiful jewelry to the next level?
I am meeting different designers from across Africa *hopefully*one day I would get to work hand in hand with them learn from them and with that I prays my creations will be showcased along side the designers garments on the runway *my ultimate dream*. I have made connections so far with a lot of designers here in Botswana and different places across Africa. I also would like to work in fashion cause even though I cant draw I can create designs in my head but cant put all in my head on paper.
" Everyday for me is inspiring in some way so with my creations I will get better bolder with time. "
6.If u where to design a peice for someone famouse what would it be?
There are two famous designers I havedesigned for. The 1st being INDASHIO I met him this year he showcased his creations at the Gaborone Fashion Night he is such an amazing soul beautiful personality. The 2nd designer I created something for, now for this one I really wanna say this I THANK GOD FOR THAT DAY THAT VERY MOMENT I MET DAVID TLALE AND PRESENTED HIM WITH A NECKPIECE I MADE HIM. I was star struck most of the time and had a goofy smile on my face I am sure he thought I am weird. That was the highlight of my LIFE meeting David and with him immediately putting the neckpiece on I was blown away,he was showcasing at the Color in the Desert Fashion week. If I were to make something for somebody famous I would choose two woman who I admire greatly. Lindiwe Suttle who I would make a headpiece for, this lady is phenomenal when she is on stage she is elegant and graceful and doesn’t shy away from wearing flamboyant garments and headpieces, I actually made a headpiece (neva seen before) inspired by her and Alicia Keys. The second lady would be Nkhensani Nkosi *nuff said* I would make her earrings for I don’t what kind tho(^^,) but definatly that’s what I would make her, she is one of my greatest inspirations.
7.Where can we get your jewelry?
Well for now my stuff I sell from home working on a website where people can get to see and buy my creations. For now its facebook just to see my work Sino sea-starr Ragontse *add me as a friend* also if you would like to order.
8.What are your thoughts on african fashion and more specifically the south african fashion industry?
Everyday of my life I get up and think AFRICAN FASHION from Nigeria to Ghana Tanzania to Botswana, Angola to South Africa. AFRICAN DESIGNERS are taking the world by storm. Even top international designers sing their praises some even get inspiration from African prints to create HAUTE COUTURE designs. I follow designers on a daily I follow blogs like http://www.ciaafrique.com/ by Assa Cisse to know what is in this season and WHO is the AFRICAN DESIGNER on every bodies lips and which African designer is causing a ruckus internationally and also http://www.hautefashionafrica.com/ . The thing I love about these designers they have made for instance GERMAN print designs more wearable and modern, you litrally can create a garmet you saw maybe at Stella McCartney’s runway show, you feel that design will flatter your frame, you get your Ankara Vlisco or Mudcloth prints and create that design with your added twist.
For instance this picture on the right you have Victoria Beckham in her own design the on the far right is a similar creation by Ghanaian designer Sika Designs
I started appreciating Ankara material the moment I laid my eyes on Antoinette Amuzu’s Ayikai Couture creations. Her clutch bags are simply to *die* for. That was when I started following designers, Mina Evans of Mina Evans, Aisha Obuobi of Christie Brown, Patrick Asante of House of Eccentric all from Ghana. Then you have Deola Sagoe of Nigeria, Christine Mhando of Chichia London from Tanzania, Taibo Bacar of Mozambique, Joyce Chimanye of Zuvva Zimbabwe truly the list is endless and all these designers amaze me greatly. Then my inspirations from my neighbouring country SA, Nkhensani Nkosi of Stoned Cherrie, she is the reason I fell in love with African Couture. Machere Pooe of Machere, Palesa Mokubung’s designs are daring and I am in love with her choice of color and fabric. Anisa Mpungwe of Loin Cloth and Ashes a Tanzanian born lady who now resides in SA all I can say is she is the future, kutlwano Molokomme the condom dress he designed and worn by Lindiwe shows that designers are also innovators they get inspiration from everywhere and create breathtaking designs. Who wouldn’t love the quirky crazy eccentric 4sum of the Smarteez. These guys appreciate color and don’t shy away from creating designs that don’t just turn heads they BREAK NECKS TOO. *lol*
9.What are your earliest moments and memories of experimentuing with fashion?
Earliest memories of experimenting with fashion was grade12, I had a lot of friends some were daring, some eccentric and then you had me the colorful one. I loved trying on my moms clothes from back then also inherited a lot of my beautiful pieces from my late Grandma. My matric farewell I wanted to be different from my friends. I knew we all were going to be different and not come dressed in the normal ballroom gowns. I decided for me to be different I should wear something none of them would think of so I opted for a tuxedo suit with an orange and black corset. I had natural hair then so I braided it had it up in a bun and got 4 peachy roses and a bright tangerine one held them together and placed them next to the bun, It was soo cool I had like a rose bouquet on my hair. My teachers loved my style my friends were amazed, I aimed to look different and I *nailed it*. Varsity like I mentioned I rocked the “soul sista” wear, i clearly impressed some of the students as I got interviwed for the varsity paper, the article was on fashion and how to rock the sista getup. From there my accessories are what turned heads. My BFF n I made ourselves bracelets, about 50 each different colors different sizes and we neva took them off. People envied us they wanted them but they were our “friendship bracelets”. My mom and sister my daily inspirations I look up to them since a very young age my moms style was what I loved. she is the very reason why I love color.10.what do you think the world should know about Botswana with regards to the fashion industry?
ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS THE WORLD BETTA B PREPARED FOR THE GREATNESS THAT’S TO COME OUT OF THIS DESERT COUNTRY OF OURS. We already have top designers from here Koketso Chiepe of Koketso, Tebo of Tebo Couture and Mpho Kuahu of Jophes 09267 these beautiful woman are taking the world head on, and paving way for most upcoming young designers here. We have so much raw talent here in our country, most of these designers didn’t go to school for design, but their work is up to par the finishing touches impeccable. I believe by next year more young designers will go out and represent our country to the world
Please give a little background information on the themed photo shoot done in collaboration with kepi mngomezulu of the Smarteez.
ART FOR A CAUSE-HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS PROJECT COORDINATED BY DESERTARTZ
DesertArtz is a collective of visual artists who collaborate to achieve specific common goals. Artists who constitute DesertArts include a range of photographers, videographers, clothing and accessories designers, sculptors, painters, printmakers, make-up artists, leather crafters, potters, models and any kind of imaginable handymen and women. A remarkable passion for art and humanity has inspired this group of well versed artists to work hand in hand in the name of charity to raise awareness against human trafficking activities in Botswana and the rest of the world.
With its youthful population, economic disparities, porous borders, lack of opportunities for young people and flawed birth registration systems, Botswana has inevitably become an origin, destination and transit for the trafficking of persons. Women and children are most commonly trafficked without their consent for forced labor and sexual exploitation. Victims from Botswana and neighboring countries are trafficked throughout Southern Africa with Botswana as the transit route mainly via the ‘Maputo Road’.
Botswana also has common cases of internal trafficking of vulnerable men, women and children. Children orphaned by different circumstances are usually not registered and they never officially acquire a formal nationality which is why they become targets who are easily moved around Botswana and other countries. In a time frame of countless generations children, refugees and internally displaced people in Botswana have been trafficked and subjected to manual labor. Children from poor rural communities are usually sent to work for wealthy families as domestic workers and cattle herders while they have most of their basic human rights violated. It has also come to our attention that Albinos are violently trafficked and killed for ritual purposes across Africa.
Although human trafficking is world wide dismay, DesertArtz intends to primarily raise an intense awareness in Botswana then secondarily in Africa and the rest of the world. With our versatile talents, DesertArtz aspires to use art as a medium of raising this awareness by compiling previous fashion photo shoots and respective artworks to host an exhibition that would mark the inception of this endeavor.
Its amazing how much ive learnt communicating with this lovely lady..this goes to show that fashion in africa is everywhere and is nt always stereotypical and conventional..you gotta love these amazing designs and collaborative efforts to keep africa on the fashion map and alive.
Pumeza Mkhonza
xoxo
