Influential Collections By Bk Proctor
Award winner for best Music Producer, best collaborations, best music videos and an Ambassador for SAMSUNG in 2014-2016, Mr. Bokang Proctor is also the founder of the most influential brand Collections by Bk Proctor as awarded by the 100 Brands Africa. Collections by Bk Proctor was founded in 2018. Mr. Proctor is the founder and lead designer at Collections by Bk Proctor. Basically, his role is to lead in the creation of all designs as well as being involved in all business deals focused on the growth of their business. The young creative grew up in the city of Francistown, and has three siblings.
A collection by Bk Proctor is a lifestyle brand that specializes in footwear, apparel and accessories. The brand was officially launched in August 2018 and currently has one active concept studio/store in Fairground Mall alongside a highly active online presence. It is a fashion influenced brand that aims to bring to life high-quality masterpiece designs for the globally conscious consumer. Young and older professionals as well as anyone who resonates accordingly with the sneakers and any of our other products.
It conceptualizes, design, manufactures and produces all products in over 14 different Asian Manufacturing companies and sells through the concept studio stores and online stores. We produce high quality products with uniquely designed and distinctive attributes to cater for global fashion-conscious customers.
How did you get your concept for this business?
I fell in love with the creative process as I grew up in Francistown around my uncles Mike Proctor and George Proctor, whom were the founders of the music group Geto Flava. My interest in music began at a very early age, I used to watch them produce music and from there I started making beats then grew to make songs then albums for some of the best artists in the country, the likes of Vee Mampeezy, Eugene Jackson, T.h.a.b.o, The late Steez and Samantha Mogwe. During my career in music, I have collaborated and produced music for some of the best artists in the land including; Lister Boleseng, Culture Spears, Scar, Zeus, Brando, Kast, Mosako, K Bos, Veezo View, Ban T, just to mention a few.
In 2016 I began to travel to China in pursuit of my love for fashion and in my travelling to China. I wanted to create a signature product that wasn’t common to be made in my country, I didn’t want to make T-shirts or Caps because all the brands in Botswana produced such products so I wanted to outstand as a brand and the only way I thought of how I could actually outstand was making sneakers. I wanted a product that when you think of our brand, it easily comes to your mind, I thought to myself, I don’t know of any local brand designing and actually producing shoes, so I went for it.
The thought of having your own sneaker line, designing and manufacturing it from start to finish has likely crossed most people’s minds that obsess over sneakers, but often get discouraged when hearing how difficult it is to actually launch your own brand.
Sneaker heads think this is easy, but I was in the factories in China and they said, if this was so easy, then everyone would do it.
Creating a design requires creativity, brainstorming, and organization. Whether you are new to shoe design, or already familiar with the creation process. Design requires time, patience and inspiration. Most importantly, mood boards helps.
What was your mission at the outset?
Our brand mission has always been to create meaningful and stylish lifestyle brand and products exploring unique designs and materials for fashion and adventurous individuals who pride themselves on celebrating their individuality. And we believe our products adds to that lifetime goal. Our goal is to explore diverse lifestyles, at the intersection of fashion and art, using our creativity and outlet to power positive change. Our business is currently only focused on sustaining and feeding its current demand. We look forward to growing accordingly and hopefully to think about exports when the time fits with our general strategic plan.
We are looking to continue focusing more on our core product, footwear. We have a long list of footwear lines we have been sampling and preparing that we are looking to release late this year.
What motivates you?
My passion for creativity and innovation eventually infused with my love for fashion and unique designs, that was essentially the starting point which lead to the creation of this brand. Transforming from being an Artist-Producer in the music industry who loves shoes, to now creating footwear and apparel was not a hard move per say as the principles of creativity and creation between the two industries are somewhat similar. Setting up a business from scratch of course has its own challenges yes but for me I learnt and adopted to the growing demands for the success of the brand. This business means a lot to me, employees as well as our loyal clientele. Its impact has ignited the spirit of pride and celebration of our own local brands and products which will go a long way in having Batswana support more locally owned business.
How do you generate new ideas?
We conceptualize and design all our products here in Botswana and manufacture across 14 factories in Asia. Over 90% of our brand footwear designs are designed to fit into different occasions and serve different needs. Non-binding designs, functional and fashionable designs. The creative process is the evolution of an idea into its final form through a progression of thoughts and actions. Selecting from outstanding library of materials. Looking for innovative textiles or intricate synthetic and genuine leather materials, our swatch library has it all. All our products then endure a rigorous cycle of product testing before ever being displayed in a storefront.
Moodboards allows me as an artist, designer, creator to visualize my products, and then organize my thoughts and ideas into a concrete concept on the board, which I could then refer back to when creating original designs. This really helped with organizing ideas alongside trends and market branding to assist in the creation of a saleable product that customers want to buy.
Building a moodboard can be as simple as gluing photos to a pasteboard but it is crucial to consider the elements, expression, emotion, and value of the components included. After going through all that, I began to conceptualize Collections by Bk Proctor and now here we are.
What is your greatest fear, and how do you manage it?
My greatest fear is not having God on my side so I renew my mind daily and believing that He did say in his word that he will never leave me nor forsake me.
What are your ideals?
To build the biggest luxury brand to ever come out of our beautiful country, Botswana.
How do you define success?
To me success is having men’s loyalty, to me that’s the ultimate proof of God’s favour.
When did you “charter” the business?
Collections by Bk Proctor was established in 2017, then officially registered and launched in August 2018 and opened our first flagship store in 2019, which was located at Oasis Motel Complex in Tlokweng.
How would you describe your personality?
I am a lover of people, I am an introvert, I enjoy my personal space, I am shy, I am a doer, I don’t like to imagine things and not create them, you can call me a creator because I am forever creating.
What products do you sell?
We design, develop and manufacture products that are not only to suit its purpose but also to have a sense of style and design. All Collections by Bk Proctor products can be evaluated by the three key aspects; Fit, Form and Function and below are the key and unique traits as applied throughout the production process:
NON-BINDING DESIGN: NO unnecessary upper extra material across all footwear designs. Materials used are from flexible materials and the soles are made from rubber to achieve the utmost flexibility.
CUSHIONING SOLE AND ADVANCED INSOLE: Our footwear range insoles are designed specifically to meet the needs of your unique feet with shock-absorbing and cushioning soles.
95% UNISEX: All our products are designed to be suitable for both sexes.
DURABLE: All Collections by Bk Proctor products are able to withstand wear, pressure or damage and/or hard-wearing.
FUNCTIONALITY: A shoe is a footwear that is used to protect the human foot while doing various activities. Similarly, like all other Collections by Bk Proctor products our production process past key attention to functionality above everything else.
TRENDY AND FASHIONABLE: Well-designed in an attractive way to be up to date in or with what is currently popular.
What kind of culture exists in your organization, and how did you establish it?
Express yourself; Effortless style, exclusivity and authenticity are at the heart of Collections by Bk Proctor. We are a creative universe of men and women passionate about our profession and driven by the desire to innovate and achieve.
What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
I would say the gradual growth of our business, since the birth of our brand, we have managed to attract the right attention, genuine following and a large clientele all in a short period of time. That collective impact was a first and biggest highlight for us. We have a strategic plan which we follow, we have an amazing team working towards the growth of our business, we have created an environment where our team is driven by the desire to innovate and achieve. Since inception we have managed to open our first flagship store at Oasis Motel Complex, In 2020 we were awarded the most influential brand in Botswana by 100 Brands Africa. We sponsored the 2021 Yarona Fm Awards along with Mascom, FNB, Hollard e.tc. Our most recent and something launched late last year was our collaboration with St. Louis Lager in making a St. Louis branded sneaker for their Jwa Rona Can Campaign. We continue to grow and expand and we are excited to share with you that we are working on a collaboration with First Capital Bank for this year.
What inspired the brand Collections by Bk Proctor?
Collections by Bk Proctor Name is derived from my name Bokang Proctor.
Which shoes was your favorite design?
All our products which we create, are my ultimate favourite, all our designs speaks differently from my heart to our customers, our core products which is footwear are the all-time favourite with our customers, especially the Proctor 8588 leather sneakers and the Proctor 2 eye knit sneakers. We design all our footwear with a minimalist approach, shoes you can easily match with just about anything from your closet, so many of our customers love that aspect about our products, besides the stylish and unique look, it’s the quality of all our shoes, they are made from the best leather and fabrics.
What inspires your shoe designs?
I think it’s fair to say that shoes can make or break an outfit. They are the ultimate accessory and sometimes they even steal the entire show. I think my greatest inspirations come to me in my dreams and those ideas literally keep me up at night. During design season, I keep a laptop next to my bed for this reason.
How many shoes did you launch this year?
This year just began, we just released our signature sneaker which is the Proctor 8588 Redefined in 3 Colorways with upgraded logo stitching/embroideries.
Tell me about the famous PROCTOR 8588 Collection, what inspired the design?
THE PROCTOR 8588 Collection is a mark of Individuality, Authenticity and Persistence.
PROCTOR 8588:
A combination of the birth years of our brand’s Founder & Lead Designer Mr Bokang Proctor and his younger sister; A Smart, Self-Driven and a Passionate young lady who strives for and to be the best in all she puts her mind and heart to.
Do you have a target market?
Our target market is the young working professionals and the global conscious consumer. Collections by Bk Proctor produces numerous products and promotes them with a different marketing mix designed to satisfy each product segment.
Why did you choose that particular target?
Each product carries unique attributes and is handled according to function and its specific niche, but always taking into consideration other related products the company offers.
What inspired your latest shoe collection (PROCTOR l I EYEKNIT SNEAKERS)?
PROCTOR l l EYEKNIT SNEAKERS are Adaptable Sneakers Designed For Versatile Occasions. They are designed to work with the foot to support natural movement in every direction.
Tell us more about Proctor 8588 and Proctor II Eyeknit Sneakers
PROCTOR 8588 Product Description:
PROCTOR 8588 REDEFINED LOW-TOP LEATHER SNEAKERS was born in 2019 but remains a classic with continuous refinements of new colorways and seasonal prints and embroideries. The upper and the sole are crafted using sustainable materials and certified genuine leather.
The handmade Proctor 8588 Redefined Low-Top Genuine Leather Sneakers presents a timeless design with a subtle logo stamp in black. The silhouette features a smooth leather upper in white, set on a slightly higher rubber cup-sole equipped with Pig skin cushioned footbed/insole for maximum comfort.
PROCTOR ll Product Description:
A smooth transition between the PROCTOR l l Eyeknit Upper and injected PU midsole provides a seamless fit and unrestricted feel. It has these features: – Regular Fit, Proctor l l EyeKnit Textile Upper, Jaquard Proctor l l Logo around Ankle, Laser Side Logo, Hugs the Foot, Big Toe and Side Padding, Adaptive and Cushioned, Responsive Moda Light Sole, Cushioned Insole, Unisex.
Part 2 of the Answer:
Quality planning is a creation of plans for quality, reliability, operational, production and inspections. At Collections by Bk Proctor we believe quality planning determines customer needs, and therefore develop product in response to those needs.
When introducing any new process, COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS will highlight the costs associated with that and also helps to identify the savings that can be made. This helps in improved quality and less complaints and faults.
What are the challenges you face in the market?
Covid-19 was aggressive and affected those regions more and hence highly affected our production for months as factories had to close. Also, shipments got delayed and some got cancelled. This was our biggest challenge yet and it really affected the growth of our business at the time. Every other side effects challenges of the pandemic we managed to plan and handle them accordingly.
Creating a scalable fashion business model was in the beginning a hard thing for us to do. As a brand that’s hoping to expand and has the potential to increase our revenue, it’s been a rollercoaster because investors or funders were hesitant to welcome us with open arms. We figured early that no one is coming to our rescue so we found the cheapest option which I call Bootstrapping or self-funding, using our own savings and income and keep pushing boundaries until our startup is profitable.
All we do is plant the seeds, water them to the best of our ability. That’s the reality of what we do in the fashion business. If we see somebody on the street wearing our product wrong, we can’t go over there and fix the shoe. Haha!!
How do you deal with competition?
Collections by Bk Proctor managed to penetrate the competitive fashion industry and managed to gain credibility. Almost 99% of clothing shops in Botswana all sell other local and international brands and our business focuses more on designing, making, building and selling our own brand and brand merchandise in our own specialty and brand stores. This makes it easy for the company to influence its market, market share and create customer loyalty towards our brand as no other store sells our products. The business is therefore in a better position to grow its market position as it fully oversees the end-to-end customer experience, the quality of our products and merge that with current and relevant market trends.
Is there a chance of you opening or having another shop in the future?
Yes, most definitely, we are already working on our Francistown Concept Studio which will be ready by the 1st of June 2022. The new Collections by Bk Proctor Concept Studio has a refined interior concept based on a new aesthetic, which contrasts high technology with a handmade feel. This concept is supposed to become the backbone for future Collections by Bk Proctor Concept Studio/ Stores worldwide.
To what do you attribute your success?
The love and passion I have to grow my business on a daily, the happiness and the joy it brings me when I see the excitement in our customers’ faces when purchasing our products, the care and the loyalty of our employees it’s forever humbling.
What made you choose your current location?
Fairground Mall is a perfect location for our new concept studio as it is now easily accessible and much closer to our customers. On 50 square meters, located on the ground floor at Fairground Mall, The Collections by Bk Proctor Concept Studio offers its customers the entire ready-to-wear collection, as well as the current 2022 collection, footwear apparel and accessories.
The core design idea is a museum like aesthetic, defined by black walls and a LED lighting system to present the individual garments as well as create a contemporary, forward looking mood. Adding to the minimalistic design, the studio/store space is equipped with handmade furniture in black and contrasting light grey wooden laminate.
The Collections by Bk Proctor Concept Studio is a commercial space that offers diverse fast fashion pieces, art and lifestyle atmosphere. Concept Studios are the answer to the invasion of the big retail chains so we wanted to create an exclusive and personal space that dictates the shopping experience of the 21st century.
What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
I believe an entrepreneur refers to someone who builds or operates their own business. By having an equity stake in our businesses, we can enjoy a great deal of profit when things go well, but we also take on a great deal of risk far more than a regular employee of our businesses. This entrepreneurial risk can take several forms, including financial risk, career risk, emotional risk, or overall business risk.
- Entrepreneurship can be quite rewarding, but also comes with several unique risks.
- To mitigate the risk of financial loss or failure, it serves me as a business owner to have a certain set of skills.
- To be a great entrepreneur, I must be able to effectively communicate, sell, focus, learn, and strategize.
- To possess the ability to continuously learn is not just a key entrepreneurial skill, but also a very valuable life skill.
- To grow my business requires a sound strategy based on inherent business sense and skills.
I must have listed more than three, Hahaha!!
How do you advertise your business, product/service?
We have an active Website: www.collectionsbybkproctor.com, we have active social media pages, including our online store. We run and promote all our adverts on all our social media pages, on our website and our Youtube page. We run and promote all our adverts on all our social media pages, on our website and our Youtube page. Apart from having our physical store, we also deliver for a fee around Gaborone and also courier/ship across Botswana and internationally.
The Collections By Bk Proctor Concept Studio Is Located At Fairground Mall, Unit G13
Operating Hours:
Mon – Fri
0830Hrs – 1830Hrs
Saturday
0900Hrs – 1700Hrs
Sunday
Closed
Contacts/WhatsApp:
(+267) 72720385
Takudzwa Joylene Chigura 
Administrator