Being a city kid means I have a globalised perspective on a lot of things. Although I have a pro-African stance on most matters, admittedly, this can tend to end up as ideological rather than manifest in my lived experiences. This is true of my fashion preferences.
From silhouettes to fabrics, designers to trends, my gaze feels a tad influenced by those beyond the borders of Mzansi.
Now, is this a bad thing? Not at all. Shhhhh, dont call me out if Im self-soothing here. Since the boom of global trade centuries ago, the intersectionality of cultures has metamorphosed what were once foreign customs into a melting pot of expressions with threads stretching from Shanghai to Bloemfontein.
That said, it came as no surprise to me to learn of the Asian and European influence on Basotho culture, and now modern-day Free State, through the introduction of textiles such as cotton and indigo-dyed fabrics in the 16th century.
This put into perspective the global ambitions of the Free State Fashion Week FSFW. The showpiece event is taking place on 12 and 13 September, with the FSFW Womens Day Business and Fashion Fest taking place on Womens Day at the Bloemfontein City Hall.