Where creativity meets culture, in the corners of Windhoek resides a young law student with an extraordinary talent for fashion and sewing. Meet Rijandjee Ngupahua, a part-time missionary with Campus Crusade for Christ, who wears many hats – quite literally, as she’s also a tailor, makeup artist, and an all-round creative spirit. In an exclusive interview, Ngupahua shares her journey from childhood fascination to aspiring fashion entrepreneur.
Early Beginnings and Inspiration:
Ngupahua reminisces about her childhood, where her mother’s profession as a tailor ignited her passion for fashion. “My dolls were always dressed up in garments a little cuter than those of my peers,” she recalls. Her love for dolls soon morphed into a love for creating, transforming outfits for her playthings, and nurturing a desire of her own. At the tender age of 10, Ngupahua began experimenting with clothes, transforming old jeans into shorts and revamping ordinary tops. Her mother’s skillful hands served as her initial inspiration, proving that with determination, anything could be fashioned from a simple piece of cloth.
Self-Taught Expertise:
Unlike many in the industry, Ngupahua says she has had no formal training in fashion design or sewing. Instead, she relies on her keen eye and innate creativity. “Not having training makes me nervous,” she admits, “but God has graced me with the ability to create something just from visual input.”
Inspirational Sources
Consequently, this hands-on approach allows for constant experimentation “and failures”; lead to her evolution. Art and music serve as Ngupahua’s main sources of inspiration. As a vocalist in the band “The Difference,” she finds beauty in the Afrocentric and Afro-jazz aesthetics, which reflect in her designs – classy, modest, and distinctly African.
Design Aesthetic
“Practicality with a touch of boldness”, are the words Ngupahua uses to describe her design aesthetic. With this aesethetic in mind she aims to elevate everyday basics, turning them into statement pieces that exude confidence and style.In a fashion landscape dominated by renowned designers and trendsetters, Ngupahua veers away from mainstream designer. She reveals that she prefers wearable and classic pieces over haute couture. Her focus lies in creating garments that are versatile and suitable for everyday wear, transcending the boundaries of time and occasion.
Future Endeavors
Although, Ngupahua doesn’t have her own clothing line yet, she dreams of starting a modest clothing brand for women, emphasizing comfort, style, and self-expression. ”I want women to feel comfortable in their bodies without showing off too much skin but still be stylish, she shares.Her aspirations include establishing her clothing line and owning a studio where she can bring her creative visions to life, empowering women to feel confident in their own skin. However, all this will come once she is officially done with her studies.
Word of advice
For aspiring, young Namibians venturing into the fashion industry, Ngupahua stresses the significance of quality, continuous skill development, and understanding the business side of fashion to succeed in the competitive market. “Focus on the quality of the product you are giving out continuously develop your skills”, she says. As our conversation draws to a close, Ngupahua humbly acknowledges her novice status in the fashion scene but expresses her deep love for clothes and the art of making others feel good through her creations. “I personally think that fashion is one of the greatest expression of creativity”, she adds.
In Ngupahua, we see not just a budding designer but a testament of creativity and passion, carving her path in the ever-evolving world of fashion. As she stitches together fabrics, she embodies the essence of empowerment—transforming mere cloth into expressions of beauty and individuality.
Follow her page @sewmthingsimade and get stitched up!
