Santia Poroto Making Her Mark

Rundu-based fashion designer Santia Poroto, who owns Santia Poroto Clothing, is slowly making a name for herself in the fashion industry.

Her 2019/20 collection titled ‘Individual Expression’ is a big hit, and Poroto attributes her success to defining individual identity in a global village.

“It’s about answering the question ‘who am I in today’s world’? I always aim to be a designer who goes beyond a particular tribe and culture. For me, fashion is about unifying our differences and breaking away from tribalism. This collection is 100% Namibian and the creation of an identity that is a fusion of all of Namibia’s cultural heritages,” she said.

For this collection, she used cottons and cotton-blends including African wax prints. “I experimented with different technique combinations, and incorporated embroidery and hand-sewing techniques. There’s colour blocking and the blending of different textures. The key was to create a fusion and contemporary African/Nam-chic line that is not only fresh, but versatile, wearable and different,” Poroto said.

The designer, who showcased alongside South African David Tlale in 2017, started designing at the age of 11.

“I remember in class when I was asked during a career day what I would like to become one day, I confidently and loudly said a fashion designer. I have known all my life that I would be a designer, so for me there is no plan B. Growing up, I have always been passionate about the arts and the creative industry,” she said.

What Poroto likes the most about designing is the creative process. “I want to always learn, develop and grow creatively. I want to contribute to the world and leave something behind.”

The designer, who launched her brand in 2017 at Windhoek Fashion Week, said our fashion industry is still in its infancy.

“The apparel and textile industry globally is a multibillion-dollar enterprise and a business with high employment generating capacity in different fields. The Namibian apparel business needs the private and corporate sectors and venture capitalists to invest, partner and mentor to help build it. In my opinion, what we need as a fashion industry is a governing body that regulates and monitors quality,” Poroto said.

She also feels that the country has a need for a critique panel that will strengthen and uphold standards. “Bloggers, fashion and lifestyle magazines, journalists and fashion editors to constantly push and engage and discover new potential. What Namibian fashion needs is diversity. Fashion shows such as Windhoek Fashion Week and Katutura Fashion Week are paving the way, but we need more.”

So, what does it take to make it in the industry? Poroto said designing is intense, demanding and stressful, and requires long hours of work.

“I have found myself many times working 48 to 72 hours straight with no sleep. It requires endlessly learning. However, for me, it’s that struggle and the hardship that makes life worth it in the end,” the former St Boniface College pupil said.

Poroto refers to herself as rebellious and headstrong. Her elder brother is her best friend and she is a great believer in karma.

“Our actions have the capacity to break or make a person. Life should be about service to one and other. I believe that what we send into the world always comes back to us. I want to inspire young women about the potential of confidence and self-belief, hard work, perseverance and determination.”

Poroto said a highlight of her career thus far is when she went to Lusaka, Zambia, last year for five months.

“I was interning and working for a renowned bridal couture company called Mo’Creations. I was also the assistant designer to the managing director, Charity Nuirongo. Being mentored by a woman who is very skilled and gifted was a blessing for me. Zambia is beautiful and Lusaka was, for a fashion enthusiast, an eye-opener.

“I went crazy in their fabric markets and stores. I also like the culture, weather and people there,” she said.

Poroto is currently hard at work on a new collection titled ‘Unisex’, which she plans to showcase in late November.

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