By Rukee Kaakunga
Celebrating a decade of proudly Namibian fashion, MTC Windhoek Fashion Week shut down Maerua Mall once again in November as the country’s biggest fashion showcase hit the capital for its tenth installment.
The event opened with its traditional soiree, a stylish affair where the hottest Windhoekers converge to officially kick off fashion week in style.
Kicking off the runway shows was the event’s tribute to the Ovaherero traditional dress. Here, the newest crop of Ovaherero traditional dress designers showcased their interpretations of the iconic dress, from Regency-era pieces reminiscent of the Bridgerton wardrobe to Indian-inspired dresses in bold splashes of colour. Accompanying the tastefully styled models on the runway was a beautiful narration of the cultural significance of Ovaherero dresses, including wedding gowns, funeral dresses and even those worn to cook and serve guests at traditional events. The diverse cast of models brought even more life to the showcase, from older women showing that they’ve still got it to a wheelchair-bound model proudly representing her culture. A highlight was when actress and creative entrepreneur, Tjuna Daringo, went into full character mode as she cried down the runway in a funeral ensemble.
Miles Meroro, a designer who presented his latest work during the Ovaherero dress showcase, noted that the event was the perfect opportunity for designers to show what the modern-day Ovaherero dress looks like. “We kept the designs modest but modern, ensuring that we’re staying true to our heritage while showing new perspectives of the evolving dress.”
In a showcase that was largely missing Namibia’s fashion heavyweights, College of the Arts students shone as they presented the future of Namibian fashion. Standouts included Taleniko’s Creations and Begano Designs, who effortlessly merged traditional and contemporary design, while Ndunga stood out with striking pieces that impressed equally through structure and form.
Seasoned designer Andila Andila presented a beautiful tribute to Namibia in a collection that loudly celebrated the country in all its vibrancy. As she has done in previous editions of this fashion week, Andila Andila impressed, proving why she was selected as one of the participants at the 2025 Durban Fashion Fair in September.
Taking on the challenge of closing the runway showcases for 2025, Mathew Erastus of MN Creations did not disappoint. His Angels in Armour SS26 collection was an unforgettable celebration of strength and grace. In true MN style, the pieces were accompanied down the runway by a breathtaking choral ensemble performed by Lize Ehlers in collaboration with the Vocal Front band.
While the event was an overall success, an ensemble from one of the collections caused furore amongst the Damara community. The ensemble featured the traditional headpiece of the group, but instead of being paired with the traditional dress, it was styled with a swimsuit – a cultural faux pas that angered many.
In a statement condemning the incident, the Damara gaob ≠Nisa ≠Nukhoedi strongly denounced the incident, saying: “The !khaib is not a decorative accessory. It represents dignity, womanhood and the spiritual inheritance of Damara women.” The statement went on to state that the misuse of the cultural attire, particularly when paired with improper or revealing garments, is a “direct violation of ancestral norms and cultural integrity”.
The Windhoek Fashion Week team quickly made a public statement to address the issue, acknowledging the “oversight” and promising to do better in the future. It should be noted that the event has previously championed the traditional Damara/Nama attire through a special showcase in 2024.
Fashion style stars that we spoke to after the event had mixed reactions to the event, although the general sentiment was positive.
Hafeni Frans, a fashion designer, costume maker and educator, did not hold back in his review of the event. “I love the incorporation of College of the Arts students as interns working backstage at the event. It elevated the event so much more as these students understood what was needed at every turn because, fundamentally, they understand fashion,” he said. Regarding his standout collections, Hafeni mentioned Andila Andila, Tai Exclusive and MN Creations as the best. “The others were a bit underwhelming because there was nothing that was following current trends – they were more ready-to-wear and custom-made,” according to Hafeni. He congratulated the fashion week team for a job well done, crediting the event for platforming Namibians beyond its borders, saying: “A lot of designers have been able to showcase at fashion events outside Namibia and that’s been a great achievement by this event.”
Fashion, style and media personality Nahenda Matheus raved about the event. “I had the pleasure of not only styling people who attended the event but also curating one of the shows at Fashion Week. All that adds to my portfolio, so I’m delighted to be part of the event and learn from the organisers. The platform has really enhanced the Namibian fashion space. It’s also because of this platform that designers like Melisa Poulton were able to go to Paris Fashion Week, so it’s only up from here for fashion creatives.”
Hilary Wang, a fashion stylist and brand influencer, recounts his best and worst from the event, saying, “I don’t know if I’m being too honest, but I feel like the designers were not being creative. I saw the same things from last year – a lot of repetition. The Top Score collection stood out for me. It was creative, unique and top of my list. I also loved Madawa Fashions and Begano Designs – they were gorgeous, and you could see there was effort put into them.”
Television presenter and influencer Aina Raiza Kweyo noted that this year’s edition of Windhoek Fashion Week was a true representation of a decade of Namibian fashion. “From the styling to the creativity that went into the production and the graphics, everything spoke to the growth of the event,” she said. She also noted how impressed she was about the calibre of the models who were part of this edition, “I remember I was a model back in the day, but now to see this year’s selection – from the old to the new faces – everyone fitted the brand. I particularly loved that they were celebrating our culture and heritage. It reminds all of us that we must embrace and hold on to our culture and document it for future generations.” On what her favourite collection was, Aina had no hesitation in revealing who impressed her the most. “Andila Andila’s colour scheme, the fabric choices, the models. It was just a good show, and I loved the pieces. I also loved that they were readyto-wear pieces that most of us could see ourselves in. Andila Andila absolutely nailed it.” She also mentioned King Araboi as her standout street-style collection.
The tenth-anniversary edition of MTC Windhoek Fashion Week was widely regarded by creatives as a resounding success, setting a new benchmark for the event. This milestone prompts a celebration of its journey and a hopeful outlook for the next decade, with the anticipation of even greater success, significant sector-wide improvement and accelerated growth for our talented designers.
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