As well as being business partners, Tsholo Dikobe (left) and Gaone Mothibi are "inseparable" best friends. Gaone: "GaTsh is our names - the first two letters of my name, and then 'Tsh.' So combined it's GaTsh Fros -- 'fros' for our Afros!"
As well as being business partners, Tsholo Dikobe (left) and Gaone Mothibi are "inseparable" best friends. Gaone: "GaTsh is our names - the first two letters of my name, and then 'Tsh.' So combined it's GaTsh Fros -- 'fros' for our Afros!"
Courtesy GaTsh Fros
Tsholo: "We met when we started nursery school. Then we met again at university and connected. Because of the way we dressed, people called us crazy and different. We were into loads of trends and colors, like just vomit of rainbow."<br />
Tsholo: "We met when we started nursery school. Then we met again at university and connected. Because of the way we dressed, people called us crazy and different. We were into loads of trends and colors, like just vomit of rainbow."
Courtesy GaTsh Fros
Tsholo: "Every time we came back to school after vacations, she'd have the same shorts, the same shoes. People thought that we discussed it to buy the same things, but we never did. So we decided, you know what -- this is something. We can't just let it go. We need to do something about it."<br />
Tsholo: "Every time we came back to school after vacations, she'd have the same shorts, the same shoes. People thought that we discussed it to buy the same things, but we never did. So we decided, you know what -- this is something. We can't just let it go. We need to do something about it."
Courtesy GaTsh Fros
The stylish pair formed their partnership in 2011, launching as designers and creative consultants. Their column in Botswana's leading newspaper, The Voice, profiles emerging talents from across the country's fashion industry. It has drawn international attention and helped put Botswana on the sartorial map.
The stylish pair formed their partnership in 2011, launching as designers and creative consultants. Their column in Botswana's leading newspaper, The Voice, profiles emerging talents from across the country's fashion industry. It has drawn international attention and helped put Botswana on the sartorial map.
Courtesy GaTsh Fros
The traditional Mogagolwane blanket is the designer's signature style piece. Gaone: "If we didn't use this as clothes, it would be on my granny at home, in the village. It's worn for weddings, for initiations, for meetings. If you are a woman and you're wearing the blanket it shows respect -- you're not supposed to have bare shoulders. Some youth want to wear it, but not the way it is -- they want to transform it somehow."<br />
The traditional Mogagolwane blanket is the designer's signature style piece. Gaone: "If we didn't use this as clothes, it would be on my granny at home, in the village. It's worn for weddings, for initiations, for meetings. If you are a woman and you're wearing the blanket it shows respect -- you're not supposed to have bare shoulders. Some youth want to wear it, but not the way it is -- they want to transform it somehow."
Courtesy GaTsh Fros
Gaone: "I can't decide on outfits by myself because we are one package. If we are not agreeing then it can't go. GaTsh is one. At the end of the day there are two heads here, double power. And we have a natural connection so it just plans well. No hiccups. In terms of creativity it always comes together."
Gaone: "I can't decide on outfits by myself because we are one package. If we are not agreeing then it can't go. GaTsh is one. At the end of the day there are two heads here, double power. And we have a natural connection so it just plans well. No hiccups. In terms of creativity it always comes together."
Courtesy GaTsh Fros
The pair are in the process of launching a dedicated fashion magazine, a first for Botswana. "There's nothing, only fashion and lifestyle -- one or two magazines," says Gaone. "We really need a Vogue kind of fashion magazine here, and we can make it happen," says Tsholo.
The pair are in the process of launching a dedicated fashion magazine, a first for Botswana. "There's nothing, only fashion and lifestyle -- one or two magazines," says Gaone. "We really need a Vogue kind of fashion magazine here, and we can make it happen," says Tsholo.
Courtesy GaTsh Fros
"Botswana is famous for our diamonds," says Tsholo, "But we also want to show that there is that creative aspect of our country and it's growing every day."
"Botswana is famous for our diamonds," says Tsholo, "But we also want to show that there is that creative aspect of our country and it's growing every day."
Courtesy GaTsh Fros
The pair look to Botswanan culture, vintage stores and flea markets for their inspiration. Gaone: "There was a point where people didn't really feel comfortable being seen digging around old clothes and buying them. But we came with this idea that it's OK to shop cheaply for things. Nobody will judge you. These days, it's OK. You can mention you got it from the flea market."<br />
The pair look to Botswanan culture, vintage stores and flea markets for their inspiration. Gaone: "There was a point where people didn't really feel comfortable being seen digging around old clothes and buying them. But we came with this idea that it's OK to shop cheaply for things. Nobody will judge you. These days, it's OK. You can mention you got it from the flea market."
Courtesy GaTsh Fros
Although the style pair are known for their avant-garde ensembles, African prints, colors and heritage have a strong influence on their look.
Although the style pair are known for their avant-garde ensembles, African prints, colors and heritage have a strong influence on their look.
Courtesy GaTsh Fros
Gaone and Tsholo at Mercedes Benz Berlin Fashion Week. The pair have worked as stylists for Gabarone Fashion Week alongside LaQuan Smith and Yaya Dacosta, and trend scouts at Africa Fashion Week London.
Gaone and Tsholo at Mercedes Benz Berlin Fashion Week. The pair have worked as stylists for Gabarone Fashion Week alongside LaQuan Smith and Yaya Dacosta, and trend scouts at Africa Fashion Week London.
Courtesy GaTsh Fros
GaTsh Fros at Africa Fashion Week London in August 2014, where the duo's showcase won them the Innovative Designer of the Year award.
GaTsh Fros at Africa Fashion Week London in August 2014, where the duo's showcase won them the Innovative Designer of the Year award.
Courtesy GaTsh Fros
Gaone: "We want to be huge, international, have stores all over the world! But we want to root it here at home first, before we take it anywhere. As long as we can start with one big fashion house, or two stores around town, then we're ready to take the world."
Gaone: "We want to be huge, international, have stores all over the world! But we want to root it here at home first, before we take it anywhere. As long as we can start with one big fashion house, or two stores around town, then we're ready to take the world."
Courtesy GaTsh Fros
Tsholo: "We've come a long way ... but we knew we had a passion for fashion so it was inevitable that we'd be here. I'm hoping that this is the beginning of bigger things."
Tsholo: "We've come a long way ... but we knew we had a passion for fashion so it was inevitable that we'd be here. I'm hoping that this is the beginning of bigger things."
Courtesy GaTsh Fros