Royalty the sequel
It's no secret that when it comes to the fashion industry, the majority of the local designers specialise in female lines. Seeing this gap in the industry, popular designer Ingo Shanyenge. saw an opportunity and seized it.
Designer Ingo Shanyenge has been expanding his brand since 2016 when he launched his Black Diamond collection.
Last year during the Windhoek Fashion Week, Ingo presented his Royalty collection to the world and as if that is not enough, he has decided to extend the collection by adding an edgy vintage touch - for men only.
He refers to the collection as a sequel to his Royalty line that is ready-to-wear as opposed to the high end and dramatic original.
Having been in the industry since 2012, Ingo says he gets ideas from current trends and seasons.
This collection includes high-waist pants that are inspired by the current trends worldwide and the shirts by the season in Namibia, hence the vibrant and vintage-type colours.
“It's for going to work, an event or even on holiday, and the good thing, it's for everyone in such a sense that anyone can pull it off. It's really a leisure collection. I teamed up with Vautz Magazine for the photo shoot to maximise exposure and so far the response is overwhelming,” he said.
Shanyenge says he tries to make his clients feel special by ensuring that the collection is unique. He sets his own trends by incorporating the hottest trends with his touch. For this collection, he focused more on the fabric and texture to set it apart from the first set. Shanyenge says what makes the collection more special is the fact that all fabrics used are locally sourced.
“I wanted to bring a different style and element to my collection because I usually use African prints, silk or lace but this time around I switched up a little bit. It's a niche market because it is made specifically for each client and them alone,” he said.
The designer says the collection is made for anyone to rock and wear, especially the shirts as they are loose. The high-waist pants on the other hand are for the daring clients although he believes the older generation will appreciate as they are vintage in feel. While working on the collection he says he learned about diversifying his market as this time, he is including those that may have felt left out in the previous collections.
“I was really just testing the waters. I wanted to make a statement that this is a men's wear collection because we as designers have really left them out. It is our job as designers to bring new options to the clients, all gender. The younger generation that like the old school, mature look will also find these pants a gift,” he said.
Compared to his other collections, Shanyenge says this is more affordable. He argues that a designer shouldn't be afforded by everyone as they deliver custom made clothes unlike retailers. The collection ranges from N$700 to N$800.
“Everybody needs to wear clothes on their bodies but not everyone deserves to wear Ingo Shanyenge. My clothes are made in limited editions so you will hardly find 10 or 20 other people wearing the same. This is what people don't get about the prices of designers. With designer clothes, it's easy for you to stand out and have people tell you that your pants or shirt are nice. That's what makes spending the money worthwhile,” said Shanyenge.
Shanyenge says he will not be having a fashion show for this collection, only another photo shoot when he releases the female range, in the coming month. The designer says the fashion industry is moving in the right direction but added, there is a need for a designer awards ceremony, as in the music industry. He says this will serve as an encouragement as one needs to show their recognition when approaching international shows to showcase.
“Five years ago I saw designers doing their thing from home or in garages but now designers are becoming brands, getting wedding gigs to dressing celebrities. Now you can get designers who are fully booked from March to August and that is big. You also get designers working with corporates and the best is seeing Namibian designers on the same runway as international designers with thanks to the Windhoek Fashion Week. We are making it,” he concluded.
June Shimuoshili
PHOTOS: Blxckfyre and Burn Photography
Last year during the Windhoek Fashion Week, Ingo presented his Royalty collection to the world and as if that is not enough, he has decided to extend the collection by adding an edgy vintage touch - for men only.
He refers to the collection as a sequel to his Royalty line that is ready-to-wear as opposed to the high end and dramatic original.
Having been in the industry since 2012, Ingo says he gets ideas from current trends and seasons.
This collection includes high-waist pants that are inspired by the current trends worldwide and the shirts by the season in Namibia, hence the vibrant and vintage-type colours.
“It's for going to work, an event or even on holiday, and the good thing, it's for everyone in such a sense that anyone can pull it off. It's really a leisure collection. I teamed up with Vautz Magazine for the photo shoot to maximise exposure and so far the response is overwhelming,” he said.
Shanyenge says he tries to make his clients feel special by ensuring that the collection is unique. He sets his own trends by incorporating the hottest trends with his touch. For this collection, he focused more on the fabric and texture to set it apart from the first set. Shanyenge says what makes the collection more special is the fact that all fabrics used are locally sourced.
“I wanted to bring a different style and element to my collection because I usually use African prints, silk or lace but this time around I switched up a little bit. It's a niche market because it is made specifically for each client and them alone,” he said.
The designer says the collection is made for anyone to rock and wear, especially the shirts as they are loose. The high-waist pants on the other hand are for the daring clients although he believes the older generation will appreciate as they are vintage in feel. While working on the collection he says he learned about diversifying his market as this time, he is including those that may have felt left out in the previous collections.
“I was really just testing the waters. I wanted to make a statement that this is a men's wear collection because we as designers have really left them out. It is our job as designers to bring new options to the clients, all gender. The younger generation that like the old school, mature look will also find these pants a gift,” he said.
Compared to his other collections, Shanyenge says this is more affordable. He argues that a designer shouldn't be afforded by everyone as they deliver custom made clothes unlike retailers. The collection ranges from N$700 to N$800.
“Everybody needs to wear clothes on their bodies but not everyone deserves to wear Ingo Shanyenge. My clothes are made in limited editions so you will hardly find 10 or 20 other people wearing the same. This is what people don't get about the prices of designers. With designer clothes, it's easy for you to stand out and have people tell you that your pants or shirt are nice. That's what makes spending the money worthwhile,” said Shanyenge.
Shanyenge says he will not be having a fashion show for this collection, only another photo shoot when he releases the female range, in the coming month. The designer says the fashion industry is moving in the right direction but added, there is a need for a designer awards ceremony, as in the music industry. He says this will serve as an encouragement as one needs to show their recognition when approaching international shows to showcase.
“Five years ago I saw designers doing their thing from home or in garages but now designers are becoming brands, getting wedding gigs to dressing celebrities. Now you can get designers who are fully booked from March to August and that is big. You also get designers working with corporates and the best is seeing Namibian designers on the same runway as international designers with thanks to the Windhoek Fashion Week. We are making it,” he concluded.
June Shimuoshili
PHOTOS: Blxckfyre and Burn Photography
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