Terence Mukasa
Lerato Ekandjo’s ‘Jokers’ clothing line made its first appearance on local runways during the Katutura Fashion Week last year. Inspired by the movie, ‘Joker’, Ekandjo stated that the main character ‘Joker’ talks about things that a many are uncomfortable speaking about.
The 23-year-old second-year fashion student at the College of the Arts told VIBEZ! the idea of fashion design came about at the beginning of 2020 when Covid-19 lockdown restrictions brought a halt to many people’s daily activities. During the first lockdown, she would watch videos on YouTube about Ankara attire, which led to her mother suggesting that she starts sewing masks. “After sewing masks, there was nothing to do. The continuous watching of videos gave me thoughts and ideas about registering at the College of the Art for fashion,” she said. Not long after starting school at the college in 2021, Ekandjo’s designs featured on the Katutura Fashion Week runway. “The moment I walked onto the Katutura Fashion Week runway, I knew it was a dream come true, and my career is only getting started.” She narrated that she almost burst out of her skin with pride when her two models walked onto the runway. “I felt super proud of myself. I couldn’t believe my hands did that. All the late night sewing and hard work were definitely worth it.” Model Christophine Ndjendjela, who exhibited for Ekandjo, said she never imagined herself wearing an outfit made out of decks of playing cards. Ndjendjela added that she really liked the creativity behind the outfit.
“The outfit made me feel like a queen (of hearts) on the runway; in a way, someone that cannot be touched or bothered,” Ndjendjela noted. Ekandjo currently sews bonnets, pillowcases and fashionable summer tops made from silk and satin fabric. With further training, she looks forward to stitching other clothing items such as birthday outfits and matric gowns. - terencelota12@gmail.com On the runway… Lerato Ekandjo and her two models at the Katutura Fashion Week last year. - terencelota@gmail.com