Streetwear With Sirenga

Leone Shimuketa has been making waves on the fashion scene since the release of her first collection, Sirenga, in 2018.

Born at Rundu, Shimuketa was raised by a single mother along with two brothers and cousins. She says being a fashion designer was something she knew she would be since she was a little girl.

“I enjoyed dressing up. I would make clothes from any materials I could get my hands on, I remember even making clothes from black plastic bags. I would host a mini runway show behind our house. My grandmother, mom and aunt always looked well-dressed and this made me understand how clothes can make a person feel. I don’t see myself doing anything else,” she says.

After obtaining an advanced diploma in business administration at International Training College Lingua in 2014, Sirenga started focusing more on fashion in 2016, moving to Cape Town where she studied at Cape Town College of Fashion Design (CTCFD).

The peak of her fashion journey thus far was winning two awards at Truworths in South Africa. The first was for the most outstanding achievement in 2017, for a client project which gave Shimuketa the opportunity to do an internship at Truworths in Cape Town. The second award was for the most fashionable commercial range the following year.

Shimuketa explains that Sirenga means ‘beautiful women’. The collection consists of luxury streetwear. She says her inspiration comes from homeless people.

“They have a unique sense of style and I find this amazing. I mostly used dull colours such as nude, khaki green and brown with cotton twill fabric,” Shimuketa explains.

The Sirenga collection was showcased at CTCFD and at Katutura Fashion Week last year.

“Sirenga is a streetwear brand which stands out for its artistic outlook on streetwear and current luxe street trends. Intersection with hip-hop and rap culture that tends towards minimalist pieces and luxury touch. There’s no denying that streetwear has made its way into luxury fashion. It is now common to see a pair of sneakers and a hoodie on the runways. This fashion revolution means you can choose comfort and convenience without having to compromise on style and I am inspired by that. My brand is loved for its unique items for women and men,” the 27-year-old says.

With her second collection, ‘Vigilante’, Shimuketa went for a brighter colour palette featuring lime green with cotton twill fabrics.

“This time around I got my inspiration from vigilantes. I love their way of dressing from masks to coats. I must say the feedback from the audience was amazing.”

For Shimuketa, fashion is more than just clothing. It is special because it tells beautiful stories about people and reflects their mood.

“I always tell people that fashion is the art of applying design, aesthetics and natural beauty to clothing and its accessories, influenced by cultural and social attitudes. As a designer you must have a unique taste for designing, a good eye for materials, colour and strong sewing skills.”

Despite the growth in the industry, Shimuketa says the country is still faced with challenges such as access to quality, affordable and a variety of fabrics.

She says creating a collection is never easy and she finds choosing the right fabrics, colours and sketching challenging.

“My work needs to tell a story. For me fashion can be really tough and stressful. I would constantly ask myself questions such as – am I out there enough and am I doing enough? It is hard to stand out in such a big crowd, there are many talented designers. You have to learn how to balance staying true to yourself and pleasing the crowd. It is never easy. I needed to work hard to discover myself.”

Shimuketa describes herself as a shy person who enjoys making a noise with her designs.

“I don’t talk much unless you ask me something. I enjoy staying at home and I love watching series and movies. This really relaxes my mind.” She admits that she would not have been where she is today if it were not for the support of her mother.

“My mom has always been my inspiration. She always believed in my dreams. She gave me a chance to follow my dreams. Honestly everything I am today is because of her. I just want to make her proud.”

Follow Sirenga on Instagram

– @rineldamouton on social media

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