Karnation’s next chapter: Karishma Isaacs on what comes next

Namibian fashion designer Karishma V Isaacs (30) continues to make her mark in the fashion industry through her brand, Karnation, originally launched in 2018.

Over the years, the brand has become a reflection of her evolving creativity, style and vision for modern fashion.

Isaacs told Namibian Sun that studying at the College of the Arts shaped her artistic identity.

“The College of the Arts has helped me take my creativity seriously and see it as something I can build a future on," she shared.

Isaacs said Karnation represents identity, self-expression and cultural confidence. “It’s more than just clothing, it’s about creating something that reflects who we are and where we come from,” she said.

She also confirmed that Karnation just released its winter edition designs.

Not an easy road

Like many creatives, she has faced challenges, among them juggling being a student and a full-time designer.

“I try to align my school projects with my personal work when I can, so everything feeds into each other,” Isaacs said.

Namibian culture and everyday life are a major source of inspiration for her work, she said.

“The diversity, the environment, and the people all inspire the energy and direction of my designs."

One of the biggest challenges she has faced in starting a brand in Namibia has been limited access to resources and materials, as well as getting people to fully support local brands, she added.

“I’ve worked around this by being resourceful, starting small, and focusing on building a strong identity so people connect with the brand."

Online platforms have played a role in building that identity.

"Social media plays a huge role because it allows me to showcase my work, tell my story, and connect with people directly," Isaacs explained.

She added that social media is not just about posting designs, but about building a brand and creating a visual identity that people can recognise and relate to.

Looking to the next three to five years, Isaacs said she sees Karnation growing into a recognised brand both locally and beyond Namibia.

Ultimately, she wants her designs to be associated "with quality, identity, and culture".