Inspired By Namibian Culture and History CBK’s ‘Safari Line’

Hot on the heels of her ‘I Am A Woman’ lingerie line, fashion designer, visual artist and Couture By Kim (CBK) founder Kim Matheus is back with something a little different.

‘Safari Line’ was launched by Matheus last Friday at the National Art Gallery of Namibia in Windhoek, where it will be on display until 30 November.

At the entrance of the exhibition, a unisex safari jacket catches the eye. Versatile and appropriate for all seasons, Matheus says the piece can be worn several times before it requires washing.

“When it comes to this piece, there is no need to be concerned about laundry as long as you are having an adventure.”

With a background in tourism management, geography and visual arts, Matheus’ collections are a result of passion and experience.

Inspired by Owambo culture and history, ‘Safari Line’ makes use of Odelela prints and typical safari colour palettes and fabrics, which Matheus says are resilient in all seasons and can be styled in various ways.

A combination of safari, classic, casual and modern traditional wear, ‘Safari Line’ is targeted at tourists and the pieces can make great corporate gifts and souvenirs.

“My work represents Namibia and the Aawambo people. This line of safari wear made in authentic Namibian fabrics is a way of presenting ourselves and an opportunity to own a real Namibian product, since most safari clothes are from South Africa,” the 29-year-old says.

“I love creating and this made me look at the gap we have in the tourism industry for clothing.”

On display are a range of shoes, safari bags and even a safari dress, which Matheus says is a must in every woman’s wardrobe.

She says the exhibition has been a long time coming, and opted to do this instead of a fashion show to tell her story.

“I have always wanted to have an exhibition,” says Matheus, who believes fashion shows can be quite risky for the unestablished fashion designer in terms of the costs of creating an entire collection. On the other hand, Matheus says exhibitions offer focused attention on the designer and the collection as it is available to view for a longer period.

Working on the collection was a little challenging as Matheus spent a lot of money to get the samples. “It was very important for me to get the right dye. I had to do this over and over. I am so proud of the end result,” she says.

As a little girl, Matheus always had a love for design. When she had the chance to attend university, she grabbed it with both hands and studied visual arts, majoring in fashion studies.

“I chose to do what I have passion for. Doing what you love gives you more motivation. I officially started working with clients in 2013 and then had my first successful fashion show. My business was registered in 2016 and I have not looked back since. More great things are coming,” she says.

Graphic designer and owner of Beso Media Betty Sibeso, who doubled as the photographer for the project, says it was a pleasure working with Matheus. “It is a really fantastic project. The safari collection is a great way of combining modern fashion, tradition and adventure.”

Janet Mulenga, who attended the exhibition, says what she finds amazing about Matheus’ work is that it’s neat. “You can see that she took the time to perfect her work. I don’t believe in rushed projects. I have seen many of our designers doing sloppy work such as threads hanging and uneven edges. By attending her exhibition, I was motivated that there are actually some designers who are willing to impress and this makes me believe in our industry. She is a great designer,” Mulenga says.

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