Hilma Nalupe
UpNext is back with its second season of weekly fashion cover series with Oshiwa Fashion Designs. The series, by Blaqhouse Collections Management and powered by Young Nams Investment Group, premiered on 2July 2025, showcasing extravagant and ready-to-wear garments that ensure their target market, women, feel empowered in their items.
Executive Creative Director of UpNext, Martin Kapuka, says there is a shift in tone in Season 2, compared to Season 1, which was centred on grind. Season 2 is more intentional and deeply rooted in elegance, with a vision to celebrate women, especially those creating from a place of authenticity and heart, which is why we chose Oshiwa Fashion Designs.
The founder of Oshiwa Fashion Designs, 23-year-old Agnella Mulisa, hailing from Katima Mulilo, established her brand in 2022. Inspired by her mother, Avihe-Oiwa whose name influenced the name “Oshiwa”. Her mother’s style and her own passion for creativity and storytelling through clothing sparked the vision now known as Oshiwa Fashion Designs. The brand started off as a hair bonnet business, which soon transformed into a ready-to-wear fashion brand.
“My dream is to grow Oshiwa into a household name across Namibia, and eventually expand internationally, while staying true to its Namibian roots,” explains Mulisa.
Mulisa wanted to create pieces that not only empower women but also make them feel confident and powerful. The mantra behind Oshiwa Fashion Designs, “elegance in every stitch, confidence in every step”, means every garment is made with care to bring out elegance and emulate confidence and power.
Mulisa highlights: “Season 2 of UpNext brings elegance and intention, different from Season 1, which was centred on streetwear. Viewers can expect high-fashion shoots and gorgeous garments from the Omutima collection by Oshiwa, which pays tribute to the powerful Namibian women.”
The collaboration between Oshiwa Fashion Designs and UpNext uniquely tells stories and celebrates Namibian creativity through fashion, and in the same vein, allows designers to express both their style and purpose.
This season, Mulisa will be telling the story of grace, self-expression and womanhood through her designs. “My pieces are about owning your softness and strength by being elegant and
powerful in each step.”
Kapuka explains that platforms such as UpNext create room for designers, models and creatives to be seen not through an imported lens, but in their own light and through visuals rooted in who they are.