Two rising Namibian fashion designers have been selected to represent their country at the prestigious Batho Fashion Week in Botswana from September 12-13, 2025, marking another milestone in cross-border cultural exchange in African fashion.
Emerging Designers Breaking Boundaries
Fillemon Hamukoto, Creative Director of Gemini Drip, and Karishma Isaacs of Karnation will participate in the third year of the MTCWFW x Batho Fashion Week Designer Exchange Program. This initiative continues to create opportunities for young African designers to showcase their creativity on international platforms.
"I never imagined that presenting my collection at MTC Windhoek Fashion Week would lead so quickly to an international stage. This opportunity motivates me to dream bigger and demonstrate that Namibian fashion has its own identity and story worth sharing with the world," says Hamukoto.
Cultural Exchange Through Fashion
For Hamukoto, a former College of the Arts student, this achievement represents a remarkable journey from classroom sketches to international recognition. His trajectory mirrors the success of other Namibian cultural ambassadors who have helped shape the country's creative identity.
Karishma Isaacs, known for designs that blend boldness with cultural flair, sees this as an opportunity to expand her reach and deepen creative collaborations across the continent. "Fashion transcends clothing - it's conversation, identity, and storytelling," Isaacs emphasizes.
Fostering Regional Creative Partnerships
Luis Munana, Director of MTC Windhoek Fashion Week, highlighted the significance of this partnership as the event approaches its 10th anniversary in 2025. The collaboration demonstrates Namibia's growing influence in regional development and cultural exchange.
The exchange program continues to serve as a cornerstone in promoting African creativity without borders, encouraging the next generation of designers to think globally while celebrating their local heritage.