Unveiling the artistry of David Luwaya

Fashion enthusiast David Luwaya spends time exploring various styles, experimenting with trends and networking with other designers and influencers for personal growth and industry collaboration.

Luwaya attended Samuel Shilongo Primary School from 2004 to 2012. His house was only one kilometre from the school.

"I then attended Pendukeni Ivula Ithana High School in the Omusati Region, which was only two kilometres from our house. Throughout my academic career, I was classified as a day learner.”

He spent 2019 and 2020 at Elite Tutorial College working on his English. He then enrolled in the bachelor of accounting programme at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) in 2021, and is currently in his second year of studies.

Luwaya built and marketed his apparel business - Dream. Create. Achieve. Inspire Clothing -successfully, gaining popularity and attracting customers. For brand awareness, he teamed up with local musician Ms Gideon.

Meanwhile, he is preparing to host a football tournament in his town from 22 to 24 December, with the goal of bringing his community together, promoting sportsmanship and creating a platform for athletes to showcase their skills.

Talamo Foods CC is the tournament's sponsor.

"My foray into the fashion industry was motivated by a profound love of design and a desire to build a brand that people can relate to. But I'm not stopping there. I'd like to one day work as a managing accountant or sales manager in a company," he said.

The Dream. Create. Achieve. Inspire Clothing brand currently has two ambassadors, serving as the faces of the company - one at the University of Namibia's Hifikepunye Pohamba campus and another at its main campus. Looking ahead to next year, Luwaya's vision is to recruit additional ambassadors to represent the brand in every town across Namibia.

He embraces criticism with an open mind - recognising that feedback, whether positive or negative, can offer valuable insights into how the brand is perceived.

He added that he listens carefully to the criticism and analyses the specific points raised.



Challenges

The fashion industry is highly competitive, with many brands vying for attention.

Luwaya has adapted strategies to help navigate these challenges.

"Differentiation is key. I focus more on unique designs and a strong brand message, just for my brand to stand out in a crowded market."

Secondly, he mentioned understanding and predicting consumer preferences in a dynamic market.

His strategic solution is regular market research and customer feedback, which help businesses stay attuned to changing preferences.

Engaging with the target audience through social media provides valuable insights, he added.



Projecting positivity

According to Luwaya, a clothing brand is not just about garments; it's a canvas for self-expression and storytelling.

"Despite facing challenges in Namibia's clothing industry, my proactive strategies and community involvement reflect resilience and adaptability. Moreover, the creation of a clothing brand is a remarkable adventure filled with creativity, connections and the potential to make a positive impact," he said enthusiastically.