O&L Leisure helps elevate homegrown fashion onto global stage

In a moment that marked a milestone for Namibian fashion, Melisa Poulton, founder and creative director of House of Poulton, made history last Sunday by becoming the first Namibian designer to showcase at Paris Fashion Week. The achievement, made possible with support from O&L Leisure, placed Namibian design firmly in the international spotlight.“This has been a fantastic experience, and I was deeply honoured to represent Namibia on this global stage,” Poulton said from Paris shortly after her show drew enthusiastic applause. “Standing here at Paris Fashion Week would not have been possible without the support of partners like O&L Leisure, who believe in Namibian talent and are committed to sharing our story with the world.”O&L Leisure, the hospitality arm of the Ohlthaver & List Group, sponsored Poulton’s participation as part of its ongoing efforts to promote Brand Namibia. The company’s backing underscores its belief in elevating local creativity and showcasing Namibia’s beauty and talent to a global audience.From her debut at Windhoek’s Warehouse Theatre in 2011 to the establishment of her boutique in Windhoek West, Poulton has built House of Poulton into a label synonymous with contemporary Namibian luxury. Her designs, inspired by the country’s sweeping deserts, coastlines and wildlife, echo the same natural beauty found at O&L Leisure’s properties across Namibia.For her Paris Fashion Week debut, Poulton unveiled La Dolce Vita, a collection that celebrates Namibian sophistication through a citrus-inspired palette and intricate hand-beaded fabrics. “La Dolce Vita is my personal love letter to beauty, joy and softness,” Poulton said. “It’s a reminder that even in strength, there is elegance; even in resilience, there is poetry. Through this collection, I wanted to tell Namibia’s story on a Parisian stage—where my heritage meets my dreams, where our landscapes become garments, and where every piece carries a fragment of my heart.”Poulton dedicated the showcase to her late father, Herald Poulton, one of the brand’s founding pillars. “I carried him with me on that runway. His spirit was there. May his soul rest in peace,” she added.As part of its sponsorship, O&L Leisure provided a return flight to Paris and curated exclusive gift bags for guests, inviting the international fashion community to explore Namibia through its hospitality experiences.“Supporting Melisa’s historic debut at Paris Fashion Week was about highlighting the extraordinary creativity that thrives in Namibia,” said Maryke van Lill, Marketing General Manager at O&L Leisure. “Her designs mirror the natural beauty and cultural richness we share with our guests every day. Through our initiative ‘Namibia Through Our Eyes,’ we’re committed to presenting the authentic essence of our country and Melisa Poulton embodies that vision perfectly.”

O&L Leisure helps elevate homegrown fashion onto global stage

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Namibian Sun 2026-03-10

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O&L Leisure helps elevate homegrown fashion onto global stage

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Namibian Sun 2026-03-10

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