Kalistu Mukoroli talks BRICS+ Fashion Summit 2025

Highlights, lessons learned and opportunities for Namibia

Fresh off returning from the BRICS+ Fashion Summit in Moscow, MTC Windhoek Fashion Week director Kalistu Mukoroli spoke to me about representing Namibia at the global event for the second time.

The summit, which took place from 28 to 30 August 2025, challenged nations to find sustainable solutions and foster collaboration. For Mukoroli, this theme aligns with MTC Windhoek Fashion Week’s mission and the Namibian fashion industry as a whole.

“Sustainability is not just a trend; it’s becoming the very foundation of how the global fashion industry is evolving. At MTC Windhoek Fashion Week, our mission has always been to create a platform that elevates Namibian designers while also encouraging responsible creativity,” he said.

With Namibia’s fashion industry in its growth phase, the summit gives the country a unique advantage, said Mukoroli.

“We can build our ecosystem with sustainability at its core rather than retrofitting it later.” Another point which hit home for him is the fact that upcycling, slow fashion and environmentally conscious production are very closely intertwined in Namibia’s cultural identity; therefore, the summit conversations resonated strongly.

Mukoroli has high hopes for the doors that could open up for Namibian designers from the country’s participation at the summit. He stressed that MTC Windhoek Fashion Week remains committed to seeing local designers thrive and will continue exposing them to regional and global networks through platforms like the BRICS+ Fashion Summit. Some of these opportunities, he said, could result in cross-border collections, participation in international showcases and knowledge-sharing workshops to directly benefit Namibia’s creative community.

According to Mukoroli, the most impactful part about his experience at the summit was having Namibia’s voice included in a room full of global decision-makers, thought leaders and innovators shaping the future of fashion. The summit presented a chance to showcase Namibia not only as a global fashion consumer but as an active contributor with unique narratives, creativity and craftsmanship.

MTC Windhoek Fashion Week also benefits immensely from this summit, in front of global peers, Mukoroli said. “It reinforced that Namibia’s fashion industry deserves recognition on the world stage and that our designers are capable of competing, collaborating and innovating at the same level as more established markets.”

He further revealed that MTC Windhoek Fashion Week became a founding member of the new Africa Fashion Federation, which was established to support and promote African fashion on a global scale.

Staying true to their own purpose, MTC Windhoek Fashion Week has positioned itself to take full advantage of the global shift towards sustainability. Over the last few years, designers have been encouraged to showcase eco-friendly collections. The event went as far as hosting a sustainability-themed edition in 2022, calling on designers to showcase works made through reusing, reducing, rethinking, repairing and recycling. “By embracing these global sustainability practices, MTC Windhoek Fashion Week is positioning itself not only as a showcase of style, but also as a driver of change and accountability in how fashion is produced, consumed and celebrated,” explained Mukoroli.

Beyond the official events, another valuable benefit from the summit was the opportunity to network beyond the panels and presentations. “I connected with several fashion councils, fashion week organisers, buyers and designers from across the BRICS+ nations who expressed genuine interest in engaging with Namibia from mentorship opportunities and joint showcases to exchange programmes that will allow Namibian designers to learn from established global markets,” said Mukoroli.

In its third year of existence, the BRICS+ Fashion Summit has become a launchpad for global cross-cultural exchange. The event brings together artisans, fashion designers and other creatives to explore international partnerships and challenge global fashion hierarchies.

Thanks to the BRICS+ Fashion Summit network, Namibian fashion creatives can expect more opportunities to showcase beyond borders. These include educational empowerment through knowledge-sharing, masterclasses and dialogues at the 2025 MTC Windhoek Fashion Week.

“Ultimately, the goal is to move from simply hosting a fashion week to creating an ecosystem where designers, models, artisans and entrepreneurs feel supported, educated and connected to global opportunities,” said Mukoroli.

Rukee Kaakunga