FASHION FIERCE

Spoilt For Choice With Namibia’s 2019 Fashion Frenzy

If there’s anything the last couple of years have proven, it’s how much Namibians love their fashion. To keep up with that growing appreciation and demand for local fashion, more and more fashion events are becoming regular features on events calendars, bringing with them not only style and flair but most importantly a sense of pride and ownership of our fashion talent .

Here’s a brief look at the two biggest fashion events of the year, Katutura Fashion Week, which took place in September and the annual Windhoek Fashion Week in November.

WELCOMING KATUTURA FASHION WEEK

Hildegard Titus

Hildegard Titus

Jonathan Solomons

Walter Kariko

One of the biggest highlights of 2019 for any Namibian fashion enthusiast is no doubt Katutura Fashion Week (KFW). This spectacular showcase of inclusive fashion was hosted in the heart of Katutura. The site of the runway shows was the historical Katutura Community Art Centre (KCAC) - which served as a hostel for contract workers during the Apartheid regime.

Models of all ages, body types and sizes took to the catwalk, as well as a number of models with disabilities - proving that fashion need not discriminate and should instead unite and foster acceptance and tolerance.

Established solely to recognise and award those who have been underrepresented in Namibian fashion, KFW wrapped up in style with a glamorous award ceremony at the National Independence Memorial Museum Restaurant.

Jati Indongo from the Public Relations team adds that the event also aims to promote fashion designers from all 14 regions and catapult them into the market.

“The end goal of KFW is to have fashion designers from around the continent wanting to come and showcase their skills in the land of the brave,” she says.

A BIGGER AND BETTER WINDHOEK FASHION WEEK

In an exclusive interview with FlyWestair Magazine, Windhoek Fashion Week (WFS) representative Kalistu Mukoroli says that this time around, a host of new talented designers are lined up alongside some of the biggest names in fashion, including Namibia’s Ingo Shanyenge and South African designers David Tlale and House of St Luke. What’s particularly different about this year’s WFW is that there will be an increase in accessories designers and a wig designer from Zambia will also be headed for the event.

“Many designers received invitations to other fashion weeks after showcasing at Windhoek Fashion Week,” says Mukoroli about the opportunities that have opened up for participating designers after the event over the years.

WFW directly provides employment to an estimated 150 people since its inception in 2016.

Leading up to WFW, designers have been given retail space this year at Maerua Mall to sell their garments at Pop Up shops.

Workshops, runway shows and industry parties will keep fashion enthusiasts busy during the one-week event. The industry workshops, in particular, have been a hit in the past, and have served as skills exchange and networking platforms which foster collaborations between local creatives. Last year a workshop featuring Zambian PR firm PR Media resulted in Namibian designer Melisa Poulton receiving an invitation to showcase her work in Lusaka.

Encouraging Namibians to support the event in order for it to reap greater rewards for the country, Mukoroli says, “Namibians should look at fashion as another industry contributing to the economy with employment and skills focus. Take the opportunity to learn about the fashion industry at large and not only look at it as being a glitz and glam affair.”

Rukee Kaakunga is a Windhoek-based Concept Engineer, PR Consultant and fashion writer. Contact her via Twitter @rukeeveni or Instagram @rukeekaakunga.