YOUNG AND FLAUNTING IT!

On our fashionista column this week we bring you Delayna Scott, a 20 something year old who hails from South America, Guyana to be precise. She is a third year student at Limkokwing University here in Botswana currently pursuing an Associate Degree in Fashion and Apparel Design. She insists on being a professional part time model although she has been at it for 9 years and a full time designer which started on April 2009.

Many of you who do not know her might want to go check out your local music videos; Mosako's "Onketsang" ,Apollo Diablo's "Baby Baby" and the most recent one "Hurt me" by Juju Boy to name but a few. When asked why she appeared in one too many music videos she answered that it’s more of publicity and exposure as a model than it is about fame.

What is your area of focus?

“I am really into design hence my major at Limkokwing University, modelling just happens to compliment it”, she says.

Ms Scott instigates that her designs are unique; this does not come as a surprise because it is every other designer’s well-worn phrase. Nonetheless, she further adds on that the designs are young and are not into trends, they cruise from the past to the unbounded future and are said to have  a bit of classy sheek elegance in them.

Every sector has its fair share of hurdles and challenges, Delayna says, "well as an aspiring fashionista there are numerous challenges that I have been facing when it comes to designing. Sometimes you get people demanding certain designs and making orders yet fail to pay up which in turn brews more problems for a determined designer who is trying to make something of themselves. However, one major challenge is "fabric". The fabric is scarce, for one to get a certain type means crossing boarders which is expensive. Our stores in Botswana only have limited fabric, forget that you are a proficient designer if the fabric that you need is not available you're in for it", she added.

What achievements do you have since realising your dream.......?

Fame, fame and more fame..(giggles). In the past 5 or 6 years I have achieved quite a lot. I was the best catwalk model for the South African modelling convention in Johannesburg, and  have been awarded a prize for the best photographic model in Alberton, South Africa. Furthermore, I have been on quite a few publications, I appeared on the Fashion twins’ column of the Voice Newspaper numerous times, Lapologa Magazine and participated in a lot of fashion shows in and out of school. However, my biggest achievement by far was being a catwalk model for the 2008 Redds African Fashion Design Awards which were held at GICC and had the privilege to wear designs by Abibatu Issah of Ghana, very interesting designs I must say.

The ultimate trend setters have categorised her as the next Naomi Campbell, she is Young and Flaunting It. She says most of the designs are Bollywood inspired, talk about a woman who knows her style. She is an inspiration to all young people who have the desire to model and become one of the world's eminent designers. She is today co-owner of Delatasha Fashions.

DELATASHA THE NEXT BEST THING in Fashion design

Delayna Scott and Natasha Selelo

With only a few months of collaboration Delatasha was among the best local fashion houses namely June Bug, Black Child, Thabie D and Black Trash showcasing their exquisite designs at the Mascom Yellow and Black fashion party which was intended to enhance and make familier designers arond the country. Their designs earned exposure in our local magazine Kutlwano dated January 2010.

“Delatasha is diverse, we provide ready to wear clothing, jeans, costumes, t.shirts to name but a few”, said Natasha. She went on to say that most designers are into German print designs, evening gowns which is why we deem ourselves different because we draw inspiration from our surroundings.

In the future we hope to broaden our designs to cutlery, shoes and hopefully take Botswana’s Fashion industry to a different level.

By Olorato Oitsile