Bataung Moeketsi

ONLINE pop-up store, Shipa, is maintaining itself as Lesotho’s “most important store” offering easy access to an array of local brands.

This was said by the store’s blogger, Lineo Ramahaetsane, in a recent interview with Xpress People.

Lineo said their journey began in 2012 when Shipa was just a stall showcasing one brand at public outings and has since grown into incorporating more brands at its online pop-up stall.

She said their team was made up of passionate creatives and local brand enthusiasts including the store’s manager Tokoleng Mokeng, digital marketer Nvulane Nhlapho, fashion curator Ikaneng Maama, audio and visual editor Tšeliso Thamae and visual designer Molupe Motšoehli.

“Shipa started off as a pop-up which was most exposed at different lifestyle events and music festivals,” Lineo said.

“Two years later, the stalls would basically showcase Sqo, the in-house brand. In 2018, the store officially launched an online and pop-up store which keeps improving with indigenous traditions through apparel.”

Other brands that have since jumped on board and are available through Shipa include Bonono Merchants, Baba Ganoush, City Kings and Nobodies.

Earlier this year, Shipa pitted brands against each other in the Sqo vs Nobodies initiative aimed at introducing the two to new consumers.

It recently introduced Sqo’s Thibela winter range which includes ribbed beanies, caps and crew-neck jersey’s in July.

Lineo said they were working towards improving the online store’s presence, reaching a wider target market and including fresh brands.

“Like most stores, we don’t know exactly where we will land at the end of it all but our curiosity and willingness to create will guide us to be a prime stockist of local brands,” Lineo said.