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Namibian fashion’s FINEST MOMENTS of 2024
It has been an incredibly busy year for Namibian fashion. From international showcases to Namibians taking up space by participating in the global fashion discourse, 2024 was a peak year fashion-wise. Throughout the year, our social media timelines have been filled with amazing updates from some of our favourite fashion creatives who took their talents beyond our borders and those who showcased their latest work at local fashion weeks. Here are just some of the highlights that sum up Namibian fashion’s finest moments in 2024.
Namibian designers attend Batho Fashion Week in Botswana
Courtesy of MTC Windhoek Fashion Week, Armando van Wyk and Jody Claasen represented Namibia at Batho Fashion Week in Gaborone, Botswana in September. Van Wyk took part with his brand, King_A_Apparel, while Claasen showcased her brand, J. Class.
Calling his debut on an international stage “nothing short of a dream come true”, van Wyk says that showcasing his designs on such a big platform while representing Namibia was exhilarating and heartwarming. “Seeing my work celebrated and accepted on a global platform still feels surreal and I can say that this is indeed a milestone in my career,” he adds. Van Wyk credits the support he gets from his team and “newly found family” in Botswana for reminding him that he is on the right path to cementing himself in the fashion industry in and outside Namibia.
The rising designer faced numerous challenges ahead of the event, the biggest one being completing an eleven-piece collection all by himself in a short period of time while juggling an 8-to-5 job. But despite these challenges, he successfully showcased his work, potentially earning a new fan base in Botswana.
Ndona Martin “rocks the daisies”
Young, bright and always ahead of the curve, Rauna Ndeilenga (Ndona Martin) made her Rocking the Daisies (RTD) debut after winning a fan favourite competition. The RTD Festival Fashion Talent Search celebrates the unique festival fashion subculture inspired by the iconic South African music festival. Participants are encouraged to explore their talent with no limitations to allow for free expression. The only consideration for participants to follow was to align their entry work to this year’s festival theme, “In The Stars”.
Martin collected enough online votes to make the cut as one of the Festival Fashion Talent Search’s top five designers!
MTC Windhoek Fashion Week hits the Brics
Representing MTC Windhoek Fashion Week, Kalistu Mukoroli took up space at the BRICS+ Fashion Summit which took place in Moscow, Russia from 3 to 5 October.
After his participation, Mukoroli lauded the event’s focus on collaboration, market access and cross-cultural exchanges: “These are core values that we’ve always championed at MTC Windhoek Fashion Week, but hearing country representatives from all over the world underscore their importance on such a global platform affirmed that we’re on the right track.”
Upbeat about Namibia’s future participation at international fashion events, he added, “It made me realise that Namibian fashion has a rightful place in these global conversations. Our strategic partnerships with Botswana and South Africa are not just essential – they’re the future.”
The BRICS+ Fashion Summit is a premier international platform that promotes emerging fashion markets. During the summit, over 100 emerging and established countries are represented as part of the BRICS Alliance. As a catalyst, the summit was at the forefront of establishing the BRICS International Fashion Federation (BRICS IFF), which fosters cross-cultural collaboration and promotes new fashion talents globally.
“Being part of the newly formed BRICS International Fashion Federation is a game-changer for us. It opens up opportunities for guidance, support and collaboration with other fashion weeks across the world. Namibian designers will benefit from the activities run by the federation, and as a member country, we’ll be first in line for these opportunities. This is huge for the local fashion industry because it means direct access to international platforms, resources and collaborations that wouldn’t have been possible before,” said Mukoroli.
As part of his contributions to a panel, Mukoroli shared MTC Windhoek Fashion Week’s efforts to bridge the gap between local and international markets. “We discussed our designer exchange programmes with South Africa and Botswana, offering designers opportunities to break into new markets. We also highlighted our partnerships with global retailers like Edgars, who will engage directly with our designers this year. Beyond this, we stressed the importance of sustainable market access, which not only benefits individual designers but also opens more opportunities for emerging fashion weeks like ours,” he said.
Designers shine at 8th MTC Windhoek Fashion Week
Heading towards a decade of existence, the 8th annual MTC Windhoek Fashion Week closed with a bang in November. Designers from Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Zambia and Angola pulled out all the stops as they showcased garments varying from traditionally inspired to contemporary streetwear.
The event kicked off on a high note as the elegant ladies of the ‡Nīsa Damaradi |Ae||gams showcased the latest styles of the iconic Damara dress. Seasoned designer Melisa Poulton showcased a collaborative collection with Lize Ehlers at an off-site show, while Mc Bright Kavari paid tribute to his late mother with his offering. The event was also attended by the latest group of student designers from the College of the Arts, who held their own with impressive capsule collections.
Setting up for an even better 2025
As 2024 draws to a close, the fashion scene in Namibia is poised for even greater heights in the coming year. To stand out, local fashion creatives will have success if they heed the advice of industry professionals like brand and public relations strategist Kalistu Mukoroli.
His advice for those looking to make 2025 their year to shine? Crafting a solid business model and a clear strategy. “It’s not just about being creative; it’s about presenting yourself as a business. Some fashion weeks only allow designers with a proper business structure to participate. Although we’re not there yet, it’s something to keep in mind for the future,” he says.
With a focus on building strong, recognisable brands and setting clear goals, 2025 promises to be a year of innovation, growth and global recognition for Namibian fashion.
