SWAKOPMUND– Namibian most revered Designer, Luice Nghiueuelekwa, who is behind the Linn Design Clothing Line (LDCL), which won the second place at the Africa’s Finest Renaissance Fashion Show that took place in the capital recently, is hosting a photo shoot in Swakopmund on November 23.
Luice is inviting all the upcoming designers to join her for the big event.
Linn Design, a pure Namibian fashion label, expresses the multi-cultural life style of Namibia, and Africa at large, by interpreting Namibian diverse cultural heritage of African clothing with a touch of the Modern Western Fashion. Luice’s motivation comes from African cultures, believes and norms, and from the beauty of African nature. Her designs aspire not just to be a clothing line of modesty but as an African cultural heritage preserver. “Hence our love to play around with hides, which our forefathers used as their clothing, blankets and shoes, and these hides are still being used as clothing by our Ovahimba people in Kunene Region and San people,” affirms Luice.
“I, as part of the group of young designers by the name Emerging Visionaries (EM) in fashion would love to invite all members of EM in fashion and those young designers who would love to be part of our group to join us in a one day photo shoot that will be held in Swakopmund and Walvis bay on November 23,” says Luice. The main aim of the photo shoot is to break the trend of Namibian designers being unable or unwilling to work together, and be pillars of support and encouragement to one another, most especially to the young designers who still need mentorship.
Luice adds that, the photo shoot also targets to help the young designers to have professionally taken pictures (at all angle) of their collections, which they can use on their portfolios and as well as for advertising purposes.
“It will also serve as a platform for the models to have a collective number of pictures for their portfolio, as well as which in return both the designers and models can use for their portfolios for employment purpose, contesting applications and other possible breakthrough into the industry. In the fashion industry your portfolio is your face,” emphasises Luice.
However, designers who would love to take part should not be in the industry for longer than five years, and should not be working under somebody. She/ he must be at least the one behind the collection for the photo shoot.
The designers are advised to have a maximum of five best garments of their choice with accessories. After the Photo-shoot, all designers will have an opportunity to sit and share ideas and challenges in the fashion industry, and how to overcome or bypass them. “Apart from hides, we also take pleasure in designing our garments out of Hessian fabric (aka sack fabric)
The sack fabric reminds us of the early days of modern life. This is were the first few modern materials that our forefathers saw, and used and still use in traditional filtering of the home made traditional drinks in the Oshiwambo culture,” says Luice.
Registration for the designer is N$ 500 and for those who want to participate in this photo shoot should contact Luice @ 0812320598 or Hendrina @ 0812061331.
By Pinehas Nakaziko