By Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro WINDHOEK A limited group of traditional Otjiherero-Otjimbanderu gear, but mainly femme fashion aficionados, seemed to get more than they bargained for at the Queen’s Design and Tailoring fashion show in Katutura last weekend. Although the designs on display met the expectations of many, the performance by one of Namibia’s musical big names, incidentally also popularly known as Big Ben, of Kinikini fame, added sheer delight to the evening. As if this was not enough The Wire, an Oviritje genre outfit, added a touch of old-fashion modernity that went down well with the culturally-inclined crowd and blended well with the traditional garments on display. Billed initially as an open-air affair the transient drops that briefly fell over the city’s oldest township suspended the event and retired it into the hall. Initial hitches with power plugs inside the hall only heightened the suspense of the crowd that no doubt craved for more designs having had only a glimpse of the home environment designs before the drops interrupted the event. In between sorting the power supply The Wire, originating from Omaruru, used this opportunity to properly endear themselves to the audience. They proved a force in their own right able to stand own ground among household names like Bullets, Ongoronomundu and what-have-you. This was before Big Ben gave the audience a taste of his latest offering in Afro-pop due for release. Among them is a wedding song, titled Orukupo. By this time the show was back on track and this song provided the background music to the display of breathtaking traditional wedding dresses. The range on display included picnic, all occasions and evening wear. For organiser and owner of Queen’s Design and Tailoring,Tjitjekura Kauatjama, the show could not have been otherwise. Already she has disposed of two of the dresses. Hitherto clients would not have to queue for their tailor-made garments but pick and choose from an array of ready-made dresses on display at this self-made boutique at CCN. For that special moment prospective brides are now free from bridal headaches as the boutique rents out bridal gowns. Meanwhile, Big Ben is due to release his next CD at the end of this month. The 16-track CD featuring some of the best local instrumentalists like the legendary J.P. on bass guitar is 90 percent sung in Otjiherero. “I rhyme and twist it better in my language. English is diluted with clichÃÆ’Æ‘Æ‘ÃÆ”šÃ‚©s and over-used phrases. But African languages are offering me new possibilities in rhythm and issues to sing about,” he explains the choice of his mother tongue. Some of the songs are sung in Oshiwambo, Damara/Nama, Silozi and Xhosa. Some of the songs also feature artists such as the Matongo Family and Tequila. Tura Style, the record label behind the Matongo Family, is to market and distribute the CD. The fashion show was made possible by Sell Fast, Kamberii Tjikuzu and Desire Pack.