Tailor: Montana Nambinga

A dedicated individual in the field of tailoring, Montana Nambinga has emerged as a forerunner at the dynamic junction between art and technology. Having spent more than 20 years honing her skills, she has made a name for herself and her craft in this artisan sector.

Nambinga, who is well-known for her creative designs and exquisite craftsmanship, has become an integral part of Namibia's emerging fashion industry. When describing her career in this field, she said it began with a little girl who had a big dream.

She said she was in grade 10 when she realised this was the career path for her. She wasted no time and pursued it directly after school by studying fashion design at the College of the Arts for three years. She found beauty in "creating something from scratch," she said.

Drawing inspiration from her her grandmother, a skilled seamstress, sparked her interest in tailoring. With nostalgia for the hand-stitched clothes that she received in her youth, Nambinga said she was captivated by the transformative power of clothing from a young age. Her formal training provided a solid foundation, but it was her curiosity and innovative spirit that propelled her towards the cutting edge of tailoring.

She describes a typical day in her life as a tailor as not being too hectic as her working hours are mostly populated with fittings for clients, bookings as well as consultations.

When asked about the challenges she faces in this profession, Nambinga narrated that the most challenging aspects of being a designer and tailor is clients sending intricate designs that require expensive materials, and yet expecting cheap prices. In addition to this, another challenge for her is clients not understanding that not every design will fit to their body type.

However, Nambinga tackles these challenges by talking about them during the consultations and compromising where she sees fit. She added that seeing a client satisfied and confidently wearing her garments is extremely gratifying for her.

According to her, social media - mainly Pinterest, instagram and YouTube - are essential mediums every designer needs to keep in touch with industry trends as this is a profession that requires individuals to stay on the lookout of the "next big thing".

Nambinga said successful designers must possess diligence, openness to new ideas and, above all, patience. She emphasised the importance of consultations with clients, guiding them on garment choices tailored to their body types and advising on color schemes that complement their skin tones to ensure satisfaction.

For aspiring tailors, she urged nurturing a deep passion for the craft, as it provides the driving force during challenging times.

Meanwhile, reflecting on the evolution of the tailoring industry, she noted a growing acceptance of avant-garde designs, an increasing trend towards beadwork on dresses, a preference for structured garments among clients, and a rise in popularity of patchwork denim in streetwear.