MTC Windhoek Fashion Week attracts continental talent
Fashion without borders
The just concluded MTC Windhoek Fashion Week proved to not just be a celebration of culture and fashion but a reflection of collaboration and integration in Africa’s fashion industry and arts landscape. The event featured local designers alongside their counterparts from South Africa, Botswana and Zambia, among other countries.
Speaking to Network Television (NTV) during the second day of the event last Friday, Emmanuel Kayenda, the creative director of Botswana’s Batho Fashion Week, expressed the importance of collaboration between African countries. He highlighted the memorandum of understanding between big fashion events in the SADC countries, which provides for local talent to showcase at the various events hosted beyond borders.
“Our mandate is to help fashion entrepreneurs commercialise their talent and monetise their skills,” he said, adding that the agreement spans big fashion events, including South Africa’s Durban Fashion Fair and Lusaka July.
He praised the participants, saying, “Shoutout to the young designers that were showcasing – the students. Those were amazing. I really loved everything they were showcasing. Tomorrow, they’re going to be international designers, and that's what we want,” he said.
Sustainable designs, inspiration from life
He added adding the Top Score showcase as another one of his favourites.
Highlighting his outfit, made from recycled material, he said that “at Batho Fashion Week, we are really keen on sustainable practices in the fashion industry because it is one of the most polluting industries. There is a need for sustainable practices.”
Cecilia Ndjobvu, a designer from Zambia who showcased on day one of MTC Windhoek Fashion Week under the brand Ulo Designs, shared that her collection comprising 14 looks was completed within one month.
Asked what inspired her designs, she said, “It was a mix of my emotions in that moment.” Making reference to one of the pieces, inspired by a flame, she noted that the message was that “sometimes life will show you flames and you just need to keep going and that the show must go on.”
“Coming here and showcasing for the first time has been eye-opening," she added.
"You can see certain gaps in the market, a different market far away from my home."
With the aim to return bigger and better next year, she revealed that she is working on a bridal store.
"Next year, I am doing wedding garments, big wedding dresses. It’ll be a big event,” she said. Her trip to Namibia was also a win for tourism, as she hinted at going on a vacation in surrounding towns during her time in Namibia.
Connecting to local beauty
Local designer Aina Shigwedha, the founder and creative genius behind the brand A in A designs, showcasing for the third time, shared that she was going for something different this year.
“I always end up finding myself using the same colours.” This year’s collection, she said, was inspired by nature. “People are forgetting about nature, the wildlife. I took a black and white print, representing the zebra. It’s one of my favourite animals. There's beauty when you look at a zebra.”
Presenter and model Kennedy Luís from Angola, who was also a model at this year’s showcase, said he attended last year’s event and was excited to attend again this year.
“I flew from Angola to here just to enjoy,” he said, adding that he loves the energy of the Namibian people. The event, which concluded on Saturday, boasted 45 designers, including students from the College of the Arts, and over 60 models.
Speaking to Network Television (NTV) during the second day of the event last Friday, Emmanuel Kayenda, the creative director of Botswana’s Batho Fashion Week, expressed the importance of collaboration between African countries. He highlighted the memorandum of understanding between big fashion events in the SADC countries, which provides for local talent to showcase at the various events hosted beyond borders.
“Our mandate is to help fashion entrepreneurs commercialise their talent and monetise their skills,” he said, adding that the agreement spans big fashion events, including South Africa’s Durban Fashion Fair and Lusaka July.
He praised the participants, saying, “Shoutout to the young designers that were showcasing – the students. Those were amazing. I really loved everything they were showcasing. Tomorrow, they’re going to be international designers, and that's what we want,” he said.
Sustainable designs, inspiration from life
He added adding the Top Score showcase as another one of his favourites.
Highlighting his outfit, made from recycled material, he said that “at Batho Fashion Week, we are really keen on sustainable practices in the fashion industry because it is one of the most polluting industries. There is a need for sustainable practices.”
Cecilia Ndjobvu, a designer from Zambia who showcased on day one of MTC Windhoek Fashion Week under the brand Ulo Designs, shared that her collection comprising 14 looks was completed within one month.
Asked what inspired her designs, she said, “It was a mix of my emotions in that moment.” Making reference to one of the pieces, inspired by a flame, she noted that the message was that “sometimes life will show you flames and you just need to keep going and that the show must go on.”
“Coming here and showcasing for the first time has been eye-opening," she added.
"You can see certain gaps in the market, a different market far away from my home."
With the aim to return bigger and better next year, she revealed that she is working on a bridal store.
"Next year, I am doing wedding garments, big wedding dresses. It’ll be a big event,” she said. Her trip to Namibia was also a win for tourism, as she hinted at going on a vacation in surrounding towns during her time in Namibia.
Connecting to local beauty
Local designer Aina Shigwedha, the founder and creative genius behind the brand A in A designs, showcasing for the third time, shared that she was going for something different this year.
“I always end up finding myself using the same colours.” This year’s collection, she said, was inspired by nature. “People are forgetting about nature, the wildlife. I took a black and white print, representing the zebra. It’s one of my favourite animals. There's beauty when you look at a zebra.”
Presenter and model Kennedy Luís from Angola, who was also a model at this year’s showcase, said he attended last year’s event and was excited to attend again this year.
“I flew from Angola to here just to enjoy,” he said, adding that he loves the energy of the Namibian people. The event, which concluded on Saturday, boasted 45 designers, including students from the College of the Arts, and over 60 models.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article