Kandjimbi to showcase ‘Die Wambo Meisie’ in Ethiopia

To promote Namibian culture, heritage and diversity, local fashion designer Julia Kandjimbi is set to showcase her new collection, ‘Die Wambo Meisie’, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 25 to 27 October.

Kandjimbi is the only Namibian designer selected to represent the country at this year’s Africa Fashion Reception, to be hosted under the theme: ‘Achieving African Integration through Art, Culture, Heritage, Tech, and Business Leveraging on AfCFTA Implementation’.

Kandjimbi received full sponsorship from Namib Mills and the Chinese embassy to showcase at the event and fly the Namibian flag high.

“I am very excited, yet honoured to be able to showcase my creativity at such a big event, representing my very beautiful country. In a world of so many negative situations, I am very happy to be a beacon of hope, one people believe in and look up to. This gives me so much comfort and delight knowing that I have a large number of people behind me,” says Kandjimbi.

The aim of the event is to celebrate Africa’s unity in diversity, foster integration through rich cultural heritage, which can be explored as a catalyst for social economic growth, to promote intra- and inter-African trade and tourism and encourage Africans and the rest of the world to support products made in Africa.

Kandjimbi says she will be showcasing a collection of 10 garments during the event.

“I intend on working with the odelela material, a very bright pink material with black defined lines that will consist of six looks, as well as some attire made from used Top Score bags, aimed at promoting recycling in the country. This will consist of four garments,” says Kandjimbi.

She says her new collection was heavily inspired by her cultural heritage.

“I take so much pride in being part of the Oshiwambo speaking people. I myself have been moulded to be a very hardworking girl who starts things and ends them, especially with regards to cultural roots, and that’s what’s inspired me to choose the odelela material because it would best represent me and my tribe,” Kandjimbi says.

She is thrilled to be part of an event where African cultural diversity will be well represented, which is both harmonising and inspirational, while showcasing her products abroad will grow her portfolio and help her gain international exposure through being featured on a global website, she says.

“It can only mean new opportunities. This interplay will also encourage cross-cultural understanding for me as an African and promote unity in diversity, wielding the power to shape societal aesthetics and trends,” says Kandjimbi.

Showcasing her work at the event provides an opportunity to express her unique style and make her mark in an industry that embraces sustainability, inclusivity and technological advancements, she adds.

“I look forward to continuing to be myself but yet extending my work to greater heights of being an on-demand designer to full ready-to wear retail. Growth is inevitable and it is about time for me to expand and grow within my country and worldwide.”

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