La-toya Mwoombola, known by her stage name Lioness, is proving that the world of art and creativity knows no bounds. After making her mark in the music industry, Lioness is now adding the realm of fashion to her impressive catalogue, leaving her fans and fashion enthusiasts in awe.
Lioness recently took centre-stage at the Windhoek Fashion Week, debuting her first collaboration with Namibian designers. What’s remarkable is that this isn’t her maiden venture into fashion; it’s actually her third collaboration with local talents.
This latest collaboration featuring House of Poulton is more than just garments and fabrics; it’s a deeply symbolic journey. “This collaboration with House of Poulton aimed to encompass the jacaranda tree. In the first part, we sought to capture the bark, roots, ground and branches. Mellisa Poulton contributed to the second part, which blossomed into a beautiful floral theme, complete with a striking lilac colour,” Lioness noted.
The jacaranda tree holds special significance for both Lioness and Mellisa, as it’s a symbol of their childhood and a shared connection to Windhoek. What sets Lioness apart in the fashion world is her unwavering commitment to inclusion. In her collection, she added elements inspired by the LGBTQI community, reflecting her dedication to making everyone seen, heard and felt. Lioness firmly stands as an advocate for inclusion, and she is not just creating fashion, she’s creating a platform for unity and empowerment. As Lioness continues to break boundaries in both music and fashion, she added that her health profession (being a doctor) will not be affected in any way. “Because it was a collaborative collection, I hope in the future I will make my pieces and will be able to include more communities, such as the visually impaired, something along that line, and I would love to do that. So, I think it’s very liberating, especially for the models.”
Another designer, Denise Andila Coimbra da Costa, who also presented her collection during Windhoek Fashion Week, said the local fashion industry is becoming more professional and the fashion industry is expanding.
“The fact that this Windhoek Fashion Week event has developed over the years and gets better at every stage inspires me to keep going. We can compare it to the best events held on the continent and maybe even worldwide, to a modest extent, but yes, it helps with the global expansion of my brand. I have already received invitations to Milan in Italy, Paris, France, and South Africa,” she beamed. Da Costa added that she maintains her consistency because at each Windhoek Fashion Week event, she has had new creations and trends. Furthermore, her memorable milestone was a fashion show with the giant of African fashion, David Tlale.
“My style and design have evolved a lot because I started to demand much more from my own work and to innovate so as not to disappoint my target audience, who have seen me in all my stages from the beginning until now. Moreover, in the beginning, my audience were female, and today, I am also in the male sector with great progress,” she smiled.
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