Organisers of one of the highly anticipated fashion event in the country, the Katutura Fashion Week (KFW), on Tuesday announced 98 nominees for the third edition of the KFW Awards set for 28 August.

This year’s event will be held under the theme ‘We are fashion–Unites diverse cultures and ethnicities’.

The awards are a platform solely aimed at recognising and awarding the un-recognised, known but uncelebrated, or renowned but not awarded individuals in the local fashion industry.

Nineteen awards are up for grabs in the following categories:

Fashion Media House, Fashion Sponsor, Modelling Agency, Child Model, Plus Size Model, Male Model to look out for, Female Model to look out for, Designer to look out for, Fashion Influencer, Stylist, Hair Stylist, Makeup Artist, Photographer, Beauty Queen, Male Model, Female Model, Designer, Brand Ambassador, and Lifetime Achievement.

Founded by model Dennis Hendricks in 2019, the KFW aims to unite the diverse cultures, ethnicities and traditions of Namibia through the art of fashion, and bringing global fashion to the people.

Speaking at the launch of the awards, Bobby Kaajosa, KFW’s corporate administrator, said the event was born out of the need to display the best of Namibia’s designers and give Namibians a better appreciation of fashion.

“There has been a couple of changes in this year’s event, and we have brought a bunch of new faces to the organisation to make sure there is diversity and progression within the organisation,” he said.

This year, the awards will be held separately from the fashion runways and other fashion activities, because of Covid-19 pandemic regulations.

“Previously, we held the awards, runway and fashion talks in one week, however, this year, the awards will be hosted in August, followed by model casting in October and the main event, which is the fashion show,

in November,” he explained.

Furthermore, the platform will showcase among others, jewellery, sandals/shoes, and make-up.

The awards will take place at the Franco Namibian Cultural Centre in Windhoek.

- ashikololo@nepc.com.na