NAMIBIAN DESIGNERS INSPIRED TO WORK WITH SWAKARA
Published: 18 Aug 2014 

Agra, the Karakul (Swakara) Board of Namibia and Kopenhagen Fur hosted a “fur designer’s workshop” with the expertise of two international designers and a creative furrier on Thursday, 14 August 2014. The workshop was attended by Namibian designers, who were taught on techniques of working with swakara and other types of furs.

The two international designers who presented the workshop are Kjetil Aas and Tilde Kristofferson, and the creative furrier from Kopenhagen Fur, Sofie Erichsen. The designers have been tasked to design the 2015 swakara promotional fashion collection. Mr Aas will design the swakara Men Collection, whereas Ms Kristofferson will design the swakara Women Collection. The promotional catalogue entails different designs of swakara garments and accessories, and is used at international fashion shows to market Namibia’s black diamonds. Prior to the workshop, the international guests visited a Swakara farm, mainly to be inspired and understand the production process. They were impressed with the Code of Conduct practised by Swakara producers. They also visited one to the Namibian Kindergartens supported by Kopenhagen Fur employees over the past ten years.

At the occasion, the media was invited to Agra’s Pelt Centre for a tour to understand the activities of the centre. Jeremy Duffield-Harding, Chief Swakara Pelt Sorter explained the process of preparing the pelt assortment. He said, “Agra countrywide receives pelts; with most pelts being received from the southern parts of Namibia (as far as Noordoewer and Ariamslvlei). Pelts are also received from Swakara producers in South Africa and Botswana.” He added, “We then grade and sort the pelts according to the Swakara pelt assortment criteria (colour, size, fibre formation, curl development, fibre length, weight, grade and classification).”Mr Raimar von Hase, Chairperson of the Karakul (Swakara) Board of Namibia informed the media on the value chain. “The preparation of the assortment is the most important part of the value chain; the sorting process adds value to the pelts and prepares the pelts for the market. It is in Namibia where we decide on the pelt assortment to be viewed by fashion designers and ultimately which garments truly make it ‘from desert to catwalk’ “.

Agra serves Swakara producers firstly by assisting in the production process and then facilitating the marketing of pelts internationally, as mandated by the Karakul (Swakara) Board of Namibia. Dagmar Honsbein, General Manager of Agra ProVision said, “Agra represents the Swakara industry at international auctions. It is also noteworthy to mention that within 1 week after the auction, Agra pays each producer based on the prices achieved per lot and per pelt, bringing their hard earned forex home.” She continued by saying, “The cost of sales in the Swakara industry is rather low, thereby enabling the producer to take home some 90% of the sales’ proceeds.”

Agra arranged a mini fashion show to showcase the sought after swakara garments. The garments were also presented at Africa’s Finest Culture Fashion Show that was hosted recently in the capital. The event ended with an informal cocktail reception.