Fashion Week Calls All Talented Designers

The Katutura Fashion Week team is hard at work preparing for their annual showcase, and is calling on talented fashion designers to participate.

Entries opened in June and the due date is 2 October.

The first-ever Katutura Fashion Week (KFW) was held in 2019, aiming to celebrate Namibian fashion while at the same time recognising and rewarding fashion industry experts.

“The call-out is for those who feel they have what it takes to be in the fashion industry. Designers from all walks of life are welcome and they should expect to sign a contract in order to avoid disappointment and to achieve common expectations for the upcoming show,” says KFW founder and director Dennis Hendricks.

KFW is looking for at least 50 designers.

“Before you enter your work ask yourself: is your work good, are your masterpieces on point, do you have a message, are you willing to sell the runway with handmade garments? If yes, then you are what we are looking for,” he says.

“We look at your signature and the quality of your work.”

International designers will also be welcome, says Hendricks.

“KFW is not only a local event, it’s also an international event. It’s exciting to get international designers because it adds to our growth.”

Hendricks says the Covid-19 pandemic has affected KFW just like many other fashion events worldwide but what has kept the event alive, is excellent teamwork.

“We are such a dynamic, motivated team. We are young and vibrant. We’ve had to think outside the box. There were times when we wondered whether to have the show because of the pandemic, but for us it is important that the show goes on.”

Hendricks admits that KFW has been affected in terms of revenue, and they looked at live- streaming it.

“We figured out strategies to keep the event going and we’ve had so much positive feedback not only in Namibia, but also from other countries such as Brazil and Portugal,” he says.

Over the years the demand for fashion designers to showcase their work on the KFW stage has grown, says Hendricks, however, there has been a lack of support from the community.

“We need to support our own designers. If we can buy from big brands like Markham, Legit, Mr Price and Foschini, we can create a market for our local people. There is a need for a support system at the highest level,” he says.

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