Melisa Poulton shines at Paris Fashion Week
"This has been a fantastic experience, and I was deeply honoured to represent Namibia on this global stage," said Melisa Poulton from Paris on Sunday, after her show wowed audiences at Paris Fashion Week."Standing here would not have been possible without the support of partners like O&L Leisure, who believe in Namibian talent and are committed to sharing our story with the world."
O&L Leisure championed Melisa Poulton, creative director and founder of House of Poulton, as she became the first Namibian designer to showcase at Paris Fashion Week. Through this partnership, O&L Leisure reaffirmed its dedication to Brand Namibia, promoting homegrown creativity on one of the world’s most prestigious fashion stages.
Namibian elegance
From her early days showcasing at Windhoek’s Warehouse Theatre in 2011 to opening her boutique in Windhoek, Melisa has grown House of Poulton into a brand that embodies Namibian elegance and luxury. Her designs are inspired by Namibia’s natural beauty - the same landscapes that guests experience at O&L Leisure properties across the country.
For her Paris debut, Poulton presented La Dolce Vita, a collection celebrating Namibian luxury through a citrus-inspired palette and intricate, hand-beaded fabrics.
“La Dolce Vita is my personal love letter to beauty, joy, and softness,” she shared. “It’s a reminder that even in strength, there is elegance; even in resilience, there is poetry. This collection tells the story of Namibia on a Parisian stage, where my heritage meets my dreams, where our breathtaking landscapes become garments, and where every piece holds a fragment of my heart. I also dedicate it to my father, Herald Poulton, my pillar of strength and one of House of Poulton’s founders. I carried him with me on that runway. His spirit was there.”
Experience Namibia
O&L Leisure’s support included a return flight to Paris and bespoke gift bags filled with promotional items, inviting the international fashion community to experience Namibia through the company’s hospitality brands.
“Supporting Melisa’s historic debut was about showcasing the extraordinary creativity that thrives in Namibia,” said Maryke van Lill, general marketing manager at O&L Leisure. “Her designs reflect the natural beauty and cultural richness that we share with guests every day. Through Namibia Through Our Eyes, we aim to present the authentic essence of our country, and Melisa embodies that vision perfectly.”
The collaboration between O&L Leisure and House of Poulton strengthens Brand Namibia’s mission to present a unified, inspiring image of the nation’s culture, talent, and tourism. Just as Melisa’s couture draws from Namibia’s four natural elements, O&L Leisure’s destinations allow visitors to live those very experiences, creating memories as unforgettable as the designs that lit up the Parisian runway.