CELEBRATING WOMEN FASHIONPRENEURS WITH.....PHENYO OAITSE

1.     Tell us about yourself? 

Phenyo Oaitse.  21 years old Fashion Designer, Stylists, Social Media Influencer, Public Figure, catalog model, Fashion Writer at Echo Newspaper, Dancer at Mophato Dance Theatre and Business Management final year student at Botswana Accountancy College. 

2.   Tell us about your business?

Founded in 2015, March Couture is an androgynous fashion label all about boldness, elegance and sophistication. We produce casual couture and ready-to-wear clothing for our stylish customers. 

3.   What does it mean to be a fashion entrepreneur and what are some of the challenges you face being an entrepreneur in the fashion industry?

    Being an entrepreneur means working hand-in-hand with other people to build successful fashion businesses, having great managerial skills and be able to inspire one another. the challenges I have faced so far would have to be working with assistants. It is the same challenge i am still facing because working with people who do not have a clear vision of what you want for your company is difficult. as well as looking for people to work with whom can understand your vision is even more challenging. but with patience and determination, I won't let that small hindrance keep me from achieving my goals.

4.   The Fashion industry in Botswana is still seen as a hobby in Botswana and not a business venture moreover not a sector that could contribute to the economy of Botswana, what reason could this be, and secondly how can we move from this outlook to the fashion industry in Botswana being taken commercially serious.

    I would say is that not all of us can see how eccentric and valuable our talents in fashion are. some artists tend to do this just for popularity and minimum recognition. And that is why the government does not take the art seriously such as in sports and traditional dance. if we valued our art so much and we were determined to take it internationally for business. then we would definitely be taken seriously.

5.    As a woman entrepreneur, what advice could you give to other young women who would like to start a business?

    What I would advice is that as much as you are a talented designer, first you MUST be a CEO of your business. you can be a designer fr other companies and not be worried about the managerial part of it. Other than that, be more of a CEO than a designer, because that is the most important thing if you want to be taken seriously as a business woman/man. it should be beyond the designing part basically. but more of the business part. then you'll see the Botswana fashion industry will bloom! Lastly, as women we should no be undermined and condone being underrated because of our gender. We are talented and gifted, we have no limit. and women empowerment and support withing ourselves is important. one quote i love says "Empowered Women empower women." and I am FOR supporting my ladies! and that is definitely what March Couture is about.

6.   What words do you live by to get you through to the next day? 

Those who mind don't matter, and those that matter don't mind." When you Grow up, not everyone you meet will have friendly faces and wish you well nor support your work. So I have learned to simply ignore these unnecessary people and only focus on those that bring good energy to my life, love, and support as well. Because really, that is all a person needs to live a happy life!

Picture by Nde Uyapo

CONTACT INFORMATION

Instagram @msphenyo @march.couture 

Twitter @MsPhenyo 

Facebook Phenyo Oaitse 

 phenyooaitse@gmail.com