Katutura Fashion Week goes digital
By Rosalia David
THE second edition of the glamourous runway show Katutura Fashion Week (KFW) is scheduled to digitally take place from October 8 to 10, founder Dennis Hendricks has revealed.
In an exclusive interview with Confidente, Hendricks said despite the pandemic immensely impacting the fashion industry resulting in events being postponed, he remains unstoppable and determined to support and strengthen the design industry in Namibia.
“Unfortunately these are unforeseen situations that we have to adapt to and find other ways of making it happen and that is why we have decided that the show must go on no matter what, as things were planned already, but obviously through online because of the regulations,” he explained.
He said that the runway show will feature a mix of virtual fashion displays, presentations and programming including live-streamed exclusive designer-related content.
Although gatherings are limited to 10 people, Hendricks said applications have been coming in non-stop putting pressure on the organising team.
“At the first show, we tried our best to have designers participating from all 14 regions, but now we need to select from the applications and cut them down to the number allowed to be in one place.
The demand is there. A lot of people want to be part of this event.”
Although they keep receiving applications from budding designers on a daily basis, Hendricks said KFW can only operate in full compliance with the existing State issued standards for public health.
“All the models are going to be covered up and the only thing viewers will see is their eyes.
They will be wearing locally designed masks that cover almost the entire face.”
He went on to say that the pandemic has not only taught Namibians about life in general but has also taught different industries to start making use of digital media for the right reasons.
“It was about time … other countries use digital media to host their events and it’s good that we are now also moving in the right direction. We have been reluctant for too long. All we know is to go on Facebook and Instagram.”
Last year, KFW awarded 19 winners, from fashion media house of the year to lifetime achievement award that was given to one of Namibia’s top designers, Cynthia Schimming.