Namibian fashion brands are on the rise and we couldn’t be more thrilled. The brand doing the damn thing right now is KONTROL. From quality, top of the range kicks to any one can rock suede caps, Kontrol is not just stopping there. We hear the Namibian owned brand is about to put out a vodka brand. Yes, Vodka. Whoop whoop!
We caught up with Lars Shinyemba and Nancy Kaimbi, the brains behind Kontrol, who shared with us how THIS is about to be an empire. They say there’s no other way to take control over our lives than when we are in Kontrol.
As a guy that can work around a computer, Lars, first wanted to create a social app just like Facebook, Instagram etc. But somehow, because, of his great eye for fashion and the fact that most of his friends would always ask him to bring them the trendiest fashion items even right before he left for China to pursue his studies. This is how the brand Kontrol was born.
It came to me when I was in bed and couldn’t sleep because I still did not get used to the time zone and also, because most of my friends would keep asking me to bring them things when I get back home for holidays.
Since I am a computer genius in the making *laughs, and I know my way around a keyboard, Ctrl_Alt_Delete means more to me than just to restart your computer. It means that, everyone needs a second chance and in order to do that you need to restart and take control of your life and what other way to do just that in Kontrol.
A clothing line has always been one of Lars dreams and to start it off, he designed what is called a bucket hat. It was so well received by our locals that they wanted more and that is what he did. He created a movement with the support of his family, friends and total strangers that saw how much potential his brand had.
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LK x Kontrol Collaboration
With friends like Nancy Kaimbi, who have inspired him to do so much with his life. He is where he is today because of her insights.
Lars: I’d always run my ideas through to her for clarity and to make sure I am not being too much of an extremist.
Nancy: Everything he’d think of doing, he always wanted my advice to a point where I suggested that he associates his brand with celebrities so he continues to get a huge following behind his brand. So, I can say that “I am the brains behind Kontrol actually” *laughs
N: I ran one of the ideas Lars and I where conceptualizing to my husband and he seemed quite interested, very interested actually. He even took my phone and stole Lars number and continued the conversation behind my back *evil stares at Lars.
This, ladies and gentlemen is how “Genesis” the shoe was born and made come to life with Lazarus Kaimbi as the face/front of the shoe line. Perfect we say, perfect. The shoe line hit the Namibian market by surprise and it had everyone talking about it. The quality, the selected color tones, the texture, everything about the shoe was amazing.
L: We plan on expanding the shoe line by including kiddie sizes, more feminine shoes because the one that is currently out right now is unisex.
We are too relaxed with foreign brands and always skeptical on local brands, we should learn to change that mind mindset and start to support local -Nancy Kaimbi
Designed and well thought out by Lars and perfectly executed by the Kaimbis’, this shoe line is definitely one to break the Namibian market and beyond boarders.
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Talk to us about the Vodka
L: Again this is something that has been part of my ideas and just needed time to finalize it all. So far, its in its sample stages but I like how it is getting hyped on the streets.
N: The shoe and all things Kontrol are manufactured in China but we plan to move production here to Namibia so we help in eradicating unemployment. “I mean, at the end of the day, we want our products to be made in our country so that when they reach international shelves, they have our flag representing our nation”.
L: We plan to stock it at the Embassy Bar, a place where they only stock exclusive liquor and you should expect it to be pricey so be ready to cough out big bucks *laughs
We are so excited and ready for everything KONTROL is about to serve us! Are you?
Find Genesis and Kontrol suede & cotton caps in Streethouse (their official and exclusive retailer), Post street mall, Wernhil Park, Windhoek, Namibia.
Check out their official Instagram page @kontrol_namibia
