WINDHOEK– Young fashion designer, McBright Kavari, has once again proven why he is one of the best designers in the country having been chosen to design Miss Namibia, Paulina Malulu’s national costume for the Miss Universe beauty pageant.
Mc Bright is known for his elaborate Otjiherero gowns which has won him three awards in a row in the Legendary Dress Competition, an Otjiherero traditional dress design competition. “I’m so excited to be dressing her. I went beyond my imagination with her garment. It’s an Otjiherero traditional dress, so I used an ethnic snake skin, taffeta material with sexy colours that add value to the dress and it’s just a stunning dress that will stand out,” says Mc Bright.
Mc Bright adds that designing for Miss Namibia is good exposure for him. “Not all countries have seen this, so this will be something new. I can’t wait to see her rock it and this will also be a good chance for me to be recognised,” he says. However, as much a fellow designer, Ruusa Namuhuya, thinks that Mc Bright is a talented designer, Miss Namibia’s national costume for Miss Universe is a big No. “As a national costume it fails to represent because that snake on the head detail is not art, it is rather scarier. The colour of the dress is also dull, it doesn’t stand out,” Ruusa notes. She adds that the snake skin used on the dress symbolises darkness, evil and witchcraft. “Is this how we as a nation should be presented? I don’t see it winning any prize. He should have rather given one of his colourful and bright creations,” she reckons.
The Miss Namibia beauty pageant will be taking place for the first time in Moscow, Russia on November 9 and the contestants will be judged in three categories such as the swimsuit, national custom, evening gown and interview.
By Selma Neshiko