Spotlight on Création Botswana: A Designer’s Story
Spotlight on Création Botswana: A Designer’s Story
From Maun to the world stage, discover how one designer is transforming Botswana’s fashion landscape…
This month, Local Threads Magazine features Neo Karolo Maretlwaneng, a fashion designer from Maun, Disaneng. Neo is one of 28 designers taking part in the Création Botswana program. This program aims to help fashion businesses grow and improve the local fashion industry through global partnerships, training, and market development.
The Création Botswana program was created by the French Embassy and Alliance Française. It is part of a larger plan by France and Botswana to invest in creative industries to support sustainable development and economic growth. We spoke with Neo, the creator of her brand Mood Craft Design, to learn about her journey, how this program has helped her, and her future goals. Her brand uses her family’s history and stories, inspired by her grandmother’s handcraft, in its designs.
Mood Craft’s Heart: A Story from Family
Q: Briefly describe your brand’s aesthetic and what inspires your designs.
Neo: ” Mood Craft is a heartfelt brand rooted in heritage and storytelling. Our aesthetic blends nostalgic handcraft with contemporary African identity. Inspired by my grandmother’s tailoring and her handmade dolls, I channel that same nurturing energy into every design. Our work is minimalist yet emotive, with textures and textiles that tell stories of culture, resilience, and warmth.”
Q: What motivated you to pursue fashion design in Botswana?
Neo: “Growing up watching my grandmother sew by hand, I developed an early fascination with textiles and garment-making. After studying Textile Design, I returned home and struggled to find opportunities in the fashion space. But my sister’s need for a baby weight bag led to unexpected demand, pushing me to start creating and selling. That moment of necessity turned into purpose, and I saw the gap I could fill with authentic, homegrown designs.”
Création Botswana: Helping Dreams Grow
Q: What specific aspects of the Création Botswana program have been most impactful for you as a designer?
Neo: ” The mentorship and professional development sessions stood out. The program provided access to industry experts, creative direction, and business tools I did not have before. It gave structure to my creativity and expanded my vision beyond just making garments—into building a brand with impact.”
Q: How has the program helped you overcome challenges or seize new opportunities within the local fashion industry?
Neo: “Création Botswana helped validate my work and gave me a platform to showcase my designs beyond my immediate circle. It boosted my confidence, helped me refine my craft, and connected me with networks that continue to support my growth. Opportunities for collaboration and visibility grew significantly through the program.”
The Future: Weaving New Paths
Q: What are your aspirations for your brand’s future, and how do you see Création Botswana contributing to those goals?
Neo: ” I envision Mood Craft evolving into a lifestyle brand that offers not just fashion, but also storytelling through textile art, home accessories, and baby essentials. I want to empower other young women through employment and skill-sharing. Création Botswana continues to play a part by exposing me to opportunities, potential investors, and broader audiences.”
Q: What message would you share with other aspiring designers in Botswana about the importance of programs like this?
Neo: ” Programs like Création Botswana are more than just exposure—they are incubators of dreams. They help transform raw passion into sustainable business. If you’re a designer with a story to tell, such platforms will give you the tools, community, and confidence to take that story to the world.”
The journey of Neo Karolo Maretlwaneng and Mood Craft shows the power of passion, the strength of local talent, and how important support programs like Création Botswana are. They help creative dreams come true. As Mood Craft continues to grow, it is not just making beautiful fabrics but also inspiring the next generation of designers in Botswana.
