Copyright namibian
The MTC Windhoek Fashion Week (MTCWFW) marks its 10th anniversary this year, celebrating a decade of creativity, growth and cultural expression. What began in 2016 as a small event aimed at putting Namibia on the fashion map has evolved into one of the country’s most significant creative platforms, attracting designers, models and fashion enthusiasts from across Africa. Director Luis Munana, who co-founded the event, reflects on how far the initiative has come. “In 2016, when we first started, Namibians were not so fashion-forward,” he says. “They didn’t fully understand the importance of a fashion week. We had to do a lot of education, but that has since changed. Now, Namibians know that fashion contributes to a multibillion-dollar industry and that we too can form part of it.” Over the years, the MTCWFW has grown beyond the runway to become a driver of industry development and youth empowerment.“The focus hasn’t shifted, it’s expanded,” Munana says. “We’ve introduced initiatives like Fashion Pitch Night, where creatives pitch their business ideas for funding and mentorship, and launched internship programmes for students from Namibia and South Africa.” The platform has also embraced Namibia’s cultural diversity through traditional showcases. “Last year, we introduced the Traditional Cultural Fashion Show, starting with the Damara dress. This year, we’re focusing on the Ovaherero Traditional Show,” he adds. “It’s a day dedicated to Namibian authenticity, while the rest of the week brings glamour and innovation to the runway.” For many models and designers, MTCWFW has been more than an annual event – it has been a launchpad for professional growth. ‘FULL-CIRCLE MOMENT’ Model Charene Labuschagne recalls her journey from attendee to runway regular. “I attended the first-ever Windhoek Fashion Week as a young woman just stepping into my personal style,” she says. “Ten years later, being part of a prestigious selection of models feels like a full-circle moment.” Labuschagne credits the fashion week with helping her discover her individuality. “My biggest lesson has been that being unique and completely myself is the greatest favour I can do the world,” she says. “MTCWFW celebrates the things that make us different. I’ve learned that being myself is the best thing I can be.” She says the experience has been personally transformative. “Windhoek Fashion Week has amplified my confidence. It also afforded me visibility in the Namibian modelling space. I was even nominated for woman model of the year at the Simply You Magazine Lifestyle and Fasion Awards 2025,” she says. “But what I love most is the camaraderie backstage – it feels like family.” For designer Armando van Wyk, creative director of King_a_apparel, MTCWFW has been an important platform for exposure and creative growth. “My first experience with MTC Windhoek Fashion Week was truly a dream come true,” he says. “It happened just two years into my journey as a fashion designer. I was overwhelmed trying to deliver everything perfectly, but I cherished every moment.”Van Wyk says the event’s growing professionalism and international reach have been remarkable. “It fills me with pride as a fashion enthusiast. I love the increased audience engagement and inclusion of more international designers,” he says. “This year is especially memorable because I’ll be showcasing on the final day, a slot reserved for industry heavyweights.” INVESTING IN EDUCATION He also commends MTCWFW’s investment in education. “The event caters for students from the College of the Arts’ fashion department, giving them hands-on experience as showcasing designers,” he says. Van Wyk’s latest collection explores mental health, a theme he considers both personal and urgent. “Fashion is not just about what we wear, but how we feel within ourselves,” he explains. “Guarding your mental health is essential, because when your mind isn’t in a good space, it becomes difficult to create or even live fully.” Over the past decade, MTCWFW has become a melting pot of art, music and cultural storytelling. From live art performances to avant-garde interpretations of Namibian identity, it continues to push creative boundaries while spotlighting local talent. “To me, 10 years of MTC Windhoek Fashion Week means growth, visibility and prosperity within the fashion space,” Munana says. “In the next decade, I see Namibian designers, models and creatives taking up space globally, not just within Namibia.” Designer Van Wyk agrees, calling for greater investment in the arts. “Too often, the creative industry is overlooked, and this dims the dreams of so many talented individuals,” he says. “Fashion and the arts have the power to inspire, empower and drive cultural and economic growth, but only if they are given the recognition they deserve.”
