ZEPHYR Namibia held its second annual fashion show on Saturday, featuring garments by six upcoming Namibian designers, with Matheus Erastus getting top nods at the event.
Other designers such as Christine Visser, Sean Renaldo Cloete, Happy Xamises, Maila Kalipi and Salmi Shilongo also showcased their designs at the event which featured 39 models who are also Miss Grand Namibia 2016 finalists.
Erastus won the award for Best Overall Designer Collection and he will be joining the judging panel of Miss Grand Namibia 2016, and will also be designing the international wardrobe for the winner of Miss Grand Namibia 2016.
The Miss Grand Namibia 2016 finalists were competing for the Best Ramp Model award and winners in this category will be revealed at the Miss Grand Namibia crowning gala which takes place on 9 July.
The fashion show was a platform for designers to showcase their talents and for the models to experience a modelling ramp which is different from the pageant styles they are used to.
The show was hosted by Blesser Malkah and was opened by emerging designer Visser from Grootfontein. Visser dressed the youngest finalists in silk bubble dresses which she also gave to each contestant to keep.
Xamises designed in denim, dressing the pre teen and teen finalists. Xamises is another emerging designer who also hails from Grootfontein.
Cloete from Rehoboth stunned the audience with his Africa meets sophistication collection, turning the traditional odelela concept into high end gowns.
Maila Kouture had an edgy, fun filled collection, which was based on a lot of geometry. Shilongo closed her show with a burst of colour featuring cocktail dresses and gowns.
The judges were most impressed by Erastus’ collection which displayed his talent for design with garments featuring neutral earth colours and a bit of denim.
“It still hasn’t registered to me that I won the competition, it was a stressful experience yes but I really enjoyed it, ” Erastus told The Namibian.
He adds that although he has worked for private clients, he is concentrating on the work he has to do for the pageant.
Miss Grand Namibia 2015 winners Unongo Kutako and Rachel Mengela also served as judges. The top four ramp models will be announced at the crowning gala.
