Passion for fabrics
Fashion designer Simeone Johannes talks the growth of SynEDGY.
Namibia can pretty much nod at the fact that Simeone Johannes is one of the creatives currently at the frontline of the fashion scene. In the last year we have witnessed how his uniqueness has granted him access to a world of endless possibilities.
Besides being a fashion designer and former dancer you cannot really box Johannes, because he has become an unexplainable force and his journey is quite interesting to watch. So tjil reached out to him and requested for a chat that resulted in us diving into his world of thinking as well as finding out what has actually been driving him to do what he does.
Simeone Johannes dressed three of this year's Namibia Annual Music Awards (NAMAs) presenters; Tanya Daringo, Elago Shitaatala and Joe Mulisa. Even though it was not his first time working with the NAMAs he mentioned that it is always a blessing working with professionals. “I had one outfit for each presenter who I dressed so it was only three looks for three people. I did it last year again. I do not know why this year was different; I guess it was Tanya's blue dress that sort of went viral.
“Working with the NAMAs is a great learning opportunity because you get to work with a more professional team than just having your clients coming in,” said Johannes.
Tanya Daringo, who has worked with Johannes before, praised him for being professional and a perfectionist. “He always pushes the boundaries. I do not think people understand how nervous he gets before revealing his work. But that is because he always has a vision and it is beautiful to witness his vision come to life,” said Daringo. Johannes launched SynEDGY last year and said that it has grown faster than he imagined it would. He shared that when he launched it, it was just an idea with chances of failing but luckily people have been very receptive to the brand. “Fortunately people love SynEDGY, I do not know what it is about it - maybe the unique work or the fact that there was no one really doing what I brought to the industry.
“I do not even think I was ready for the type of growth I have gone through,” he said.
Asked if he feels some sort of responsibility in terms of his influence in the fashion space that makes him carry himself in a certain manner because of all the eyes that are on him, Johannes replied that he does not like being pressured to be a public figure. “Being a public figure comes with so much pressure and it is not in my nature to be out there. It is for that reason that I hardly do interviews.
“I completely do not do TV interviews; only print and radio because in print they can make use of photos of my work and I can't be seen on radio. I want my work to be out there not my photos,” he said.
Summing up the conversation with tjil, Johannes shared that he draws inspiration from his surroundings. “Inspiration comes in very funny ways. Sometimes it's the people you talk to, that is why interaction is very important when it comes to being a creative,” he summed up.
MICHAEL KAYUNDE
Namibia can pretty much nod at the fact that Simeone Johannes is one of the creatives currently at the frontline of the fashion scene. In the last year we have witnessed how his uniqueness has granted him access to a world of endless possibilities.
Besides being a fashion designer and former dancer you cannot really box Johannes, because he has become an unexplainable force and his journey is quite interesting to watch. So tjil reached out to him and requested for a chat that resulted in us diving into his world of thinking as well as finding out what has actually been driving him to do what he does.
Simeone Johannes dressed three of this year's Namibia Annual Music Awards (NAMAs) presenters; Tanya Daringo, Elago Shitaatala and Joe Mulisa. Even though it was not his first time working with the NAMAs he mentioned that it is always a blessing working with professionals. “I had one outfit for each presenter who I dressed so it was only three looks for three people. I did it last year again. I do not know why this year was different; I guess it was Tanya's blue dress that sort of went viral.
“Working with the NAMAs is a great learning opportunity because you get to work with a more professional team than just having your clients coming in,” said Johannes.
Tanya Daringo, who has worked with Johannes before, praised him for being professional and a perfectionist. “He always pushes the boundaries. I do not think people understand how nervous he gets before revealing his work. But that is because he always has a vision and it is beautiful to witness his vision come to life,” said Daringo. Johannes launched SynEDGY last year and said that it has grown faster than he imagined it would. He shared that when he launched it, it was just an idea with chances of failing but luckily people have been very receptive to the brand. “Fortunately people love SynEDGY, I do not know what it is about it - maybe the unique work or the fact that there was no one really doing what I brought to the industry.
“I do not even think I was ready for the type of growth I have gone through,” he said.
Asked if he feels some sort of responsibility in terms of his influence in the fashion space that makes him carry himself in a certain manner because of all the eyes that are on him, Johannes replied that he does not like being pressured to be a public figure. “Being a public figure comes with so much pressure and it is not in my nature to be out there. It is for that reason that I hardly do interviews.
“I completely do not do TV interviews; only print and radio because in print they can make use of photos of my work and I can't be seen on radio. I want my work to be out there not my photos,” he said.
Summing up the conversation with tjil, Johannes shared that he draws inspiration from his surroundings. “Inspiration comes in very funny ways. Sometimes it's the people you talk to, that is why interaction is very important when it comes to being a creative,” he summed up.
MICHAEL KAYUNDE
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