Gaborone — The annual fashion show, which is meant to give local designers an opportunity to showcase their products, will be held in Gaborone on August 31.

Miss Independence 2018 organiser, Gaonyafale Phuti said in an interview that three local designers were selected to dress the models during the fashion show, which will in turn give them the exposure they need to market their designs.

Phuti said the show would also be used to select 20 finalists from the 30, who will compete for the prestigious Miss Independence 2018 crown next month.

"The judging process is ongoing at the moment up until the day of the fashion show.

'The 20 finalists that will be selected are models that have a vast knowledge about their culture and who have also proven themselves worthy to go through to the finals," she said.

Phuti has appealed to the private companies and government departments to support the event. "Miss Independence 2018 is an annual pageant that is meant to encourage the youth to uphold and preserve their culture.

The pageant brings together youth aged between 18 and 35 from across the country together to exchange their cultures and learn from each other in efforts to appreciate different Setswana cultures," she said.

<i>Source : BOPA</i>