Dressing up is beyond the primitive need to cover our bodies.
Style is personal and probably the best way we get to construct, reconstruct and communicate our individuality.
The following young Namibians share how they use dressing up to express their personal identity, where they draw inspiration from, and how they have developed their style.
• Officially Poetic – 80s retro with modern streetwear
Ndelitunga Shikongeni (23) is a media student, model and poet who goes by the name Officially Poetic. He describes his style as a mixture between 80s retro vintage and modern streetwear.
“I absolutely love blending the two together. I believe my father has always been my biggest fashion inspiration, because he has very unique taste when it comes to fashion, which aligns with my personal style of being able to wear unique pieces of clothing confidently,” he says.
Fashion plays a significant role in the poet’s day-to-day life as a performer and content creator.
“I love it when my outfits announce my presence in a room full of people before I’m able to utter a single word. So, how I present myself is very important for my image, and fashion is part of that image,” he says.
“I grew into my current style when I became financially independent, which has allowed me to invest in the clothes I want to wear. It has fuelled my passion for thrifting, where I get most of my pieces.”
• Damilola Beukes – arty and unconventional beauty queen
Damilola Beukes (22), a third-year bachelor of arts student, majoring in psychology, and Miss Face of Namibia 2021, is an art enthusiast who appreciates different colour palettes, patterns and textures.
“I do not have a comfort colour when it comes to clothing. I also do not have a comfort style or brand. I shop at different stores, with rather affordable price ranges. My style is not trendy. I always choose to feel comfortable in what I’m wearing over what would look good to others,” she says.
She says there are certain expectations on what a ‘lady’ should look like.
“I wear my tight, high slit or low V-neck dress, because I feel confident and self-assured, and not for the attention of society,” she says.
“Or I wear my baggy shirt with sweatpants, because that is my mood that day, and not because I’m careless,” Beukes says.
Growing up, she says her family dictated what she wore.
Beukes says her grandfather dressed her up in Spider-Man and John Cena sets, while her mother dressed her in extremely bright, colourful and floral clothes.
Having control over what she wears now, Beukes describes her style as soft and feminine, yet empowering.
Using art and Pinterest as a reference, the psychology major’s style is not specific in colour, pattern or texture.
She adds fun and unexpected flare to her looks by boldly dying and cutting her hair, adding playful make-up looks.
• Josua Hamunyela – tonal, minimal, ‘clean-boy’ aesthetic
Coming from a background in public relations, Josua Hamunyela (24) understands the need to maintain a positive image.
“I consider dressing up as an important component of personal branding, whether you’re on a lunch date, working in the mahangu field, or out for kapana with the guys. You need to look well put together,” he says.
When it comes to putting together an outfit, Hamunyela’s style follows a natural colour palette which exudes simplicity and understated elegance.
Beyond that, even something as simple as the shape and colour of shoes must align with the overall outfit.
It’s the details, he says, that contribute to creating a cohesive look.
While his current style embodies the ‘clean-boy’ aesthetic and minimalism, it wasn’t always the case.
“In the past, I’ve experimented with various looks and a lot of colours and generally weird stuff. Looking back at all that, I can’t help but feel embarrassed.
“I like this version of me better now,” Hamunyela says.
“All in all, dressing well enhances my confidence. When I’m well-dressed, I find myself exuding confidence,” he says.
• Pukuu Rijatua – Instaglam & girly girl
Pukuu Rijatua (22) is a TV personality, social media influencer and YouTuber.
One may say her style is the epitome of ‘Instagram glam’, which is a combination of pops of colours, shapes and materials, such as leather, suede, velvet, and satin.
Rijatua also prides herself in being a girly girl. For style inspiration, she says she looks to other fashion influencers, magazines, and online platforms.
“Fashion is a form of art, whether I’m rocking my Otjiherero traditional attire or bright colors in different seasons. Whether I want to look professional on television or just in a cute, plain outfit for campus, it all influences and impacts my social and professional interactions,” she says.
“One thing that’s changed the way I shop and put together an outfit is my Pinterest board. Whatever makes me feel the most confident, bold and beautiful is always my go-to style of clothing,” Rijatua says.
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