Mahalie and Fabrishh Stun In Melisa Poulton at The Sun Met

South Africa’s most celebrated outdoor social, fashion and sporting event, the Sun Met 2020 (previously known as the J&B Met), took place at the Kenilworth Racecourse in Cape Town on Saturday, 1 February.

A literal who’s who of the entertainment world, the Sun Met is a gathering of the rich and famous, the groovers and movers, the fashion junkies and the thousands who seek to enjoy the intensity of life and a good party. And Namibian firecrackers and fashion lovers Reinhard Mahalie and Rumano Fabrish were once again amongst the attendees.

Fashion stylist Reinhard Mahalie sees the platform as a good opportunity to network with people from different spheres of business.

“Over the years it has become an event where fashion is one of the most focal aspects. It’s a truly African party, attended by diverse people from all walks of life. It is important to celebrate African authenticity, because the world at large is looking at Africa for inspiration. We should remain originally African,” he said.

Mahalie said Namibia lacks the sponsorship and support to host an event of such magnitude. He urged event managers to attend functions like this to see the level of production that goes into it.

“It is so sad that we as creatives have so few resources, we have to reinvent and make the Namibian fashion industry great. Corporates and government should invest in fashion because this is a lucrative industry that our high ups are sleeping on,” Mahalie said.

He admits that attending such a high-profile event can be pretty stressful and advises prospective attendees to plan and organise well in advance.

“Never take an event too seriously but rather have fun with your look and be comfortable if you want to party until midnight.”

This was the third time they attended the event, which has been the realisation of a one of their long-term goals. Fabrishh said attending the Sun Met has taught him that fashion has no boundaries and restrictions.

“I have also learned that as Namibians, we are deprived of such lavish events and have taken up the initiative, which is why we started The Fashion Soirée. While it’s not at that level yet, we will reach it in due time.”

The duo were dressed by the incredibly talented Melisa Poulton in custom haute couture masterpieces which made a bold statement.

Fabrishh said for many years he had hoped to be dressed by Poulton and was thrilled when she contacted them a few months ago.

“When it comes to clothing we always try to do colours that we have never done before. We came across the blue lace which we both instantly loved. We then just worked everything around that lace,” said Fabrishh.

“Poulton created magic. I don’t want to sound cocky or conceited, but Reinhard and I really turned a lot of heads at the event. Melisa outdid herself.”

Fabrishh added they are already planning for next year’s event. “We plan months in advance. These things do not just happen overnight. Planning is key and brilliance takes time. Attending the Sun Met was a dream. It was a very well organised event. It gave us the opportunity to showcase our creative side. It placed us in a space with like-minded people who share the same amount of love for fashion.”

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