“Himba in the Mix”, an Afro-Centric Fashion Extravaganza and Photographic Exhibition Project.

In light of the consistent life threatening pressure exerted onto indigenous people’s culture, the Ovahimba in particular, the need to conserve cultural heritage using creative mechanisms such as art, photography and fashion could potentially be a remedy.

This necessitated the introduction of the Himba in the mix - An Afro-Centric Fashion Extravaganza and Photographic Exhibition project, commonly known as just "Himba in the Mix" in 2007.

The concept’s purpose and aim is to bring out the beautiful culture of the Ovahimba through photographic exhibition depicting lifestyle and designing tailor-made modern garments fashion and jewellery with a fusion of traditional Ovahimba elements as an inspiration to create a new fashion brand.

Himba in the Mix also intends to craft a new and exciting niche in the fashion industry, inspire local and international designers while exposing the Ovahimba people, fashion and culture to the world.

Sponsored by the National Arts Council of Namibia and the Franco-Namibian Cultural Centre (FNCC), Himba in the Mix is hosting a unique, first of a kind fashion show and exhibition scheduled as follows:

Doors open at 18:00.
Free entrance.

The event will showcase a collection of tailor-made garments and jewellery adorned with Ovahimba accessories, while the photographic leg intents to showcase the Ovahimba people posing at various locations in Windhoek and in their normal environment setting to display their cultural elegance.

We intent to resurrect indigenous people’s traditional fashion and make it part and parcel of the modern day fashion as well as breaking the cultural stereotypes towards indigenous people’s culture and fashion.

The overall objective of this project is to re-instate that indigenous people’s culture and fashion are not as dull and boring as they are perceived to be, but instead rich, fascinating and admirable.

Organiser: Franco Namibian Cultural Centre (FNCC)