Having lived in Namibia for the past 12 years, Patricia Mtambalika has cemented her status in the Namibian fashion industry. She has not only worked with the exclusive Pambili Young Designer's Association, but also designed for the Miss Namibia pageant and most recently created the costumes for ‘Meme Mia'. She also had the privilege of dressing both Lize Ehlers and Sandy Rudd for the Windhoek Lager Ambassador's awards.
Patricia came to Namibia with her husband in 2001 and says she considers this her home. “I have travelled to many other countries but Namibia is different. It's a very likeable country,” she says. As we get comfortable in Patricia's boutique, I ask about her childhood. Has she always had an interest in fashion, or did she grow into it? “Growing up, I had always been interested in fashion, as my mom was a seamstress. I know this might sound cliché but when I was a child, I would make clothes for my clay dolls,” she says reminiscently.
She went on to take needlework as a subject while in primary school and started making clothes for herself. “I remember making a dress out of one of my dad's shirts and adding other fabrics to complete the look,” says Patricia. Eager to pursue her studies after high school, Patricia enrolled for a Bachelors in Business Administration programme in 1991, excelling in her studies to graduate top of her class. Although she was unable to immediately pursue studies in fashion, this qualification would prove to come in handy when she finally opened her boutique in Windhoek.
After some time in Namibia, of which she spent mostly at home nursing her sickly son, Patricia enrolled at the University of Namibia (Unam) where she received an Honours degree in fashion and textiles in 2011. This was when she realised that she could make a living from her talent. She then joined Pambili and later opened up her own shop. Apart from being a designer, Patricia applies her fashion knowledge as a stylist and has a huge selection of shoes and accessories in her boutique, as well as different pieces which she recommends when her clients buy a dress.
She describes her work as a celebration of African fashion with modern influences. “I concentrate on African fabric as I feel it is my pride. If I am not proud of my African heritage, no one else will appreciate it,” she says with a glimmer of pride in her eyes. She says that the African theme in her work preceded the current trend worldwide in African inspired fashion. Earlier this month, Patricia was one of the designers who showcased at the first ever Malawi Fashion Week. Some of the pieces from the collection are proudly displayed in her boutique. She relied heavily on chiffons and a range of African prints for this collection.
What makes a good designer?
“A distinct style in making something is what makes you stand out as a designer,” says Patricia. She says that designers sometimes have big egos, which work against them when it comes to satisfying their client's needs. “Secondly, you need to be able to see trends and get inspired from others while also drawing on older fashion styles. Fashion IS a cycle, after all.”
The relationship between a designer and their client is of utmost importance as well says Patricia. “This is one of the most important relationships you will have as a designer as it can either make you or break you,” says the designer who, judging by her long list of loyal clients, is not failing in that area.
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