High fashion Namibian handbags target German market
A Namibian luxury label in women’s fashion was launched in Germany last week at a ceremony hosted by the Namibian Embassy in Berlin.
Locally crafted high quality leather bags and handbags are the mainstay of the Myeisha label. These were enthusiastically received by the more than seventy guests who attended the launch. Invited for their interest in fashion and their ability to spread word about Namibian products in the German market, several fashion bloggers, journalists, retailers and business chamber representatives, formed part of the elect guests.
Myeisha was founded in 2015 by the German investor Sandra Baumeister and produces high-quality leather bags in a small factory in Eros, Windhoek. The bags are handcrafted by women under two brands, “iNAMi” and “Myeisha”. For both, Namibian leather and other materials are used. To ensure the highest manufacturing standards, Myeisha trained its staff at the SA Leather Academy in Cape Town. Baumeister has also arranged for them to attend a special beading course with Namibian artist Elke le Roux.
The ceremony at the Namibian Embassy targetted distributors and retailers that can add Myeisha bags to their product range. During what was a truly Namibian evening, guests enjoyed Namibian delicacies such as NamGin from Naute Kristall near Keetmanshoop and beef sponsored by Meatco.
His Excellence Andreas Guibeb, Namibia’s Ambassador to Germany, praised Myeisha for setting a great example as a socially conscious investor that adds value to local raw materials and makes a positive impact at community level.
According to the Embassy’s Commercial Counsellor, Dr. Kaapanda-Girnus, “the global demand for handmade products is growing. Myeisha has created a high-quality and unique Namibian product that can be competitive in Europe and attractive to consumers who value craftmanship and interesting brand stories.”
Locally, the bags are available in Windhoek at the Myeisha Shop at 1 Groot Tiras Street and CSquared, a fashion boutique in the Werner List Mall. The bags are also available at various lodges, including Wolwedans and Wilderness Safaris, and will soon appear at Mirror Mirror in Swakopmund.
Baumeister said she is a committed social entrepreneur and uses the profits generated by her company to finance various social projects, including a kindergarten in Katutura and a planned new orphanage.
The label launch was the first step of a broader and long-term strategy for Myeisha to penetrate the European market and was solely organised by the Namibian Embassy in Berlin.
“In line with the Sector Growth Strategy for the Leather Industry developed by the Ministry of Industrialization, Trade and SME Development, the Namibian Embassy will continue to assist the label in its efforts to access international markets, increase product visibility and develop a European customer base,” according to a media statement.
Pictured are : H.E. Andreas BD Guibeb, the Namibian Ambassador to Germany; Sandra Baumeister, Founder of Myeisha; Kym Kibble, Director of Myeisha and diplomats of the Namibian Embassy in Germany. (Photograph by Antonia Richter)
