Namibian designer, Ndeshi Fikameni from Afroprint Line was voted by the public as the overall winner of the first Oshikandela Namibia’s Most Loved Object campaign, for her creation of an eco-fashion shopping bag.
Oshikandela is a product of Namibia Dairies (ND), a subsidiary of the Ohlthaver & List (O&L) Group.
ND marketing manager, Leonie Prinsloo said considering the support that Oshikandela has received from the Namibian public and consumers thus far it was only right that they created such a platform.
“Designers were tasked to create a work of art that incorporates the new Oshikandela look and feel using Oshikandela-inspired fabric and they had to incorporate their designer skills and create an object for the public to vote on,” Prinsloo said.
Fikameni walked away with N$15 000 in prize money. The winner was announced last December.
The 27-year-old said her design was aimed at promoting eco-fashion. “The use of plastic bags is being actively discouraged. Every time you go shopping you are charged a fee if you do not have your own shopping bag. So I decided on a shopper bag. The bag I believe fits all categories,” Fikameni said.
She said the bag is made from jute which is a type of textile fibre from the jute plant also called hessian. Fikameni said hessian is a recyclable material that is beautiful and practical.
The handles are made from the olutenda, a triangular pattern with straight lines that look like a railway which is fitting given that olutenda means ‘railway’ in Oshiwambo.
“The olutenda is an ‘Oshiwambo clothing accessory used to make the Oshiwambo dresses beautiful, it adds a hip and heritage feel to the shopper bag.
The Tsumeb-born creative could not hold back her excitement and said such initiatives encourage creativity. “What I love is that we were allowed to make whatever we want,” she said.
Fikameni said she is proud to see that the fashion industry is growing tremendously. She is also pleased that more emerging designers are stepping out of the box.
“I am proud to be part of the Namibian fashion industry. This is a unique industry,” she said.
Fikameni’s love for designing started when she was a little girl. She said growing up she always knew she would work in the industry one day because since she can remember she has been interested in crafts and decor.
“One could tell by the way I would dress colourfully and unique,” she said.
