Windhoek Fashion Week 2019 launched

Mshasho Wear @ Windhoek Fashion Week 2016 - Bantu Magazine

The much anticipated Windhoek Fashion Week 2019 (WFW) officially kicked off.

The showcase unites fashion designers, models and media from across Africa and will feature fashion talks, runway shows, networking and mingling.

Kalistu Mukoroli, one of the co-founders of WFW, said the annual event kicked off with a fashion talk titled 'The Future of Fashion in the Retail Industry of Tomorrow' by Petro Oberholster.

WFW will feature 34 emerging and established designers who will showcase their work this year.

For the first time, the University of Johannesburg's fashion students will be showcasing. We are also pleased to announce that a few second-year students from the College of the Arts will share their talents. We are thrilled that we have a lot of new designers on the ramp. It shows growth in the industry and our event,” Kalistu Mukoroli added said.

Designers include House of St Luke (South Africa), Kabaso Nkandu (Zambia) and Maison De Rouge (Zimbabwe). Namibian exhibitors include Pom Couture, //Concept, House of Cyndie, Da Broadwear and Honeycassie Designs.

Mukoroli said 30 female and 20 male models will grace the stage, many of whom will be new faces to the runway.

“We are trying to give everyone an opportunity to be part of WFW. Tonight from 18h00, a welcoming party will be held by Simply You Magazine at the Marigold Hotel in Windhoek. Tomorrow, well-known designer Ingo Shanyenge will host a private off-site show.

For the first time, a pop-up will be held at Maerua Mall, aimed at building hype for the event. On Friday and Saturday, runway shows will be held at Maerua Mall at 18h00 and 17h00 respectively. In addition, the swanky industry get-together 'Fashion Soirée' will take place on Friday night at Nyama restaurant.

WFW, which started in 2016, has grown tremendously, said Mukoroli.

“Designers and models have grown on this platform, where some have been invited to showcase at other fashion weeks. We have hosted over 100 designers and over 200 models who've walked the ramp thus far.”

Tickets for the various WFW events are available at Events Today.

Source: The Namibian Newspaper

Journalist: Rinelda Mouton on social media