First for NUST

The NUST student brand ambassadors’ duties include them promoting the brand, uplifting the brand and doing community engagements as well. The head of the steering committee Rodger Kangootui said they thought of ways in which they can fundraise for them to carry out their community engagements and he posted a question in the student enquiry group on Facebook as to what changes they would like with the new brand that were not academic, and that’s where the idea came from. “NUST does not have an arts department or qualification for that matter but we have students that are well-known models in Namibia and good designers too and the other thing we want to get from this is to show that agriculture, engineering or accounting students also have unique talents that are not related to the course they are studying.” The fashion show’s theme is ‘Sustainable Fashion’ and the designers are working with green material such as newspapers, bottles, plastics etc. There are currently five designers and a jeweller who are NUST students that are on board as well. There was an open call for auditions on campus and from that the designers chose 25 students whom they wanted to work with for the occasion.
Rodger said they have the Fashion Council of Namibia on board with them that includes the likes of Adriano Visagie and Melisa Poulton who are pioneers in the Namibian fashion industry. “We partnered with them because we want the fashion show to be an annual event so the first one cannot be a flop. What better way than to collaborate with those that are already in the industry to show us the strings?” The Fashion Council of Namibia was kind enough to offer mentorship to the designers and guide them. The big fish in the industry including Nikola Conradie and Ruberto Scholtz have also contributed to the structure of the whole event. Since the show is for fundraising, the designers have offered to auction off their designs during the event that could be altered to the specifications of the buyer. “This is all an effort made to contribute to the community engagement coffers and that is the biggest aim of the event.”
The organising committee has invited Namibian socialites and celebrities to push the event and also to showcase the student’s talents. There will be a red carpet to make the event lavishing and glamorous.
The fashion show is set to take place today on the NUST campus at the engineering basement. The red carpet is set to start at 18:00 on the dot and the main event will run from 19:00. “The structure of the event is set in such a way that the VIPs will get the first-hand viewing as the models will be walking amidst them to get a crystal clear view of the designs.” A general ticket costs N$150 whilst the VIP ticket is N$300 including a complimentary drink, red carpet moment and snacks. “We as the organisers are really going all out on this event and we are giving it our best as it is the very first show and we want to have many more of them. We are doing the last stretch of the preparations and it will be a fun night for everyone. We urge you all to come and see for yourselves.” The tickets are available at the NUST FM radio station on the lower campus, at the door and also by delivery. Contact details are available on the NUST student brand ambassador’s Facebook page and from Rodger at 081 605 8246.