Strike by Ally Tobias

Well-known plus-size model, make-up artist and vocalist Ally Angaleni Tobias has added the title designer to her résumé, with the debut of her clothing collection ‘Strike by Ally Tobias’.

Inspired by her late mother Alma, the collection consists of various fabrics such as stretches, scuba, suiting and chiffons. “My mother had been in a coma for 13 years in Oshakati State Hospital, and passed away in 2016. I hold her so dear to my heart because I believe that what she went through made me who I am today.

“She was a fashionista with so much love in her heart. I do feel that anyone who wears this collection takes a little piece of Alma with them,” Tobias says.

The designer made sure the collection features some of her favourite colours. “I love earthy tones. There is something about these colours that make a statement. Mustard screams happiness, black is boss, white is for that clean and pure look, navy blue says take me seriously and burgundy is simply to create that bold look.

“The fabrics feel and look expensive, they are soft on the skin and don’t age easily,” Tobias says.

She says while working on the collection she was fascinated by the different types of fabrics available on the market. “The fabric world is so big and diverse. This is a new experience for me. I must honestly say that it was a bit nerve-wracking, but I loved every part of the journey. I love creating, learning something new and making people feel good about themselves,” she says.

Tobias has been passionate about fashion from a young age. While growing up she would constantly find herself in front of the TV watching fashion shows and celebrities walking the red carpet in their elegant and trendy outfits. “The collection aims to make people look good. I believe that when you look good, you feel good. I made this collection for every body shape, skin colour, religion, tribe, background, pain, childhood and scars,” the Oshakati-born creative says.

Tobias describes herself as someone who loves spreading love wherever she goes. She’s also firm in her Christian faith. “I pray and have conversations with God a lot. I am an overthinker so I’m always thinking of new ways to make my existence on this earth worth living. I enjoy listening to music. “I am a creator and love being creative. I believe I’m blessed with a gift and opportunities and I would not be fulfilling my God-given purpose if I was not giving back,” she says.

Tobias plans to release more designs and new music. Her latest music video, ‘Omalaka’, features well-known gospel artists Franklin and Dee’A. Although she has not officially released any of her own music just yet, Tobias has been a member of the Unam choir for four years and has performed backing vocals for artists like PDK, Jeiyo and Maranatha. In 2018 she performed as a backup singer on the Namibia Annual Music Awards stage. “I might not have released any of my own music yet, but I love singing. Music has a way of connecting all of us. It is a language that everyone can speak,” she says.

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