3 minute read
Sustainable fashion and the new normal
Leah Misika
Leah Misika, who now resides in her hometown in the Zambezi Region is confident that introspection and plugging back into her roots will allow her to create work that’s a better reflection of who she is.
Some of the pieces from her latest Sleah collection, which are available for sale at The Den.
The world has changed and fashion has had How do you envision your work to be affected by being so to adapt accordingly. In Namibia, fashion enthusiasts have followed suit with a shift in the way they produce and consume fashion. Designer, stylist and blogger Leah Misika knows all about it.
After recently moving to her hometown in the Zambezi Region, she has returned to the drawing board, learning once again to create from her heart and using her roots to inspire her work. She spoke to me about her move, her new creative process and what the future of fashion looks like to her...
What has been the biggest challenge for you during this pandemic?
The admin that comes with COVID-19 has made it hard to work, and unfortunately working from home is not always possible for everyone. I have shelved projects until mid-2021 and that’s just how things will be for now.
How are you keeping your creative juices flowing?
Consuming less, and less content and being more mindful of what I put out in any form. So I’m ultimately spending more time in my head and more time in spaces that inspire me.
What necessitated your move back to your hometown?
I was challenged in a recent project to access the future of fashion, and that somehow led me down a long rabbit hole to decide what fashion future I saw for my brand and myself. Windhoek just didn’t seem to fit with all that I wanted to do in Katima Mulilo. I have a family I want to learn from and a family I want to help, and I can truly only do that from here.
How do you envision your work to be affected by being so close to your roots?
My hope is to see my work change for the better. I’m always chasing growth and this has by far been the biggest step to grow my career. I hope to create garments that are close to my heart and home. I hope to create the kind of garments I have been dreaming to make and so much more. I’ve moved away from social media because I don’t to be over-influenced by it. I just want a moment to really look around me and see me, and create what I see.
How can fashion designers adapt their ways of doing business in order for their businesses to survive?
The longevity of your work will always boil down to your reputation. I could go on and on about maintaining good client relations but in times like these it is all about accessibility, too. If you can get your product to the people, visually and physically, you win the sales game. Whether that helps your business survive is an entirely different thing. Managing finances is a weakness. Most creatives and the fashion business are way up there if we look at high-end brands that have closed their doors. Sales and managing finances are key.
While she has officially settled in the Zambezi Region, some pieces from her latest collections of her Sleah brand are still available for sale at The Den in Windhoek. “The collection will come in drops, so keep a lookout for the next few items,” she says.
Rukee Kaakunga is a Communications Specialist and Freelance Writer based in Windhoek. Follow her on Twitter @rukeeveni or visit her website: www.rukeekaakunga.com
