Couture by Kimatheus launches new unisex hats collection

Couture by Kimatheus Boutique recently started selling its newest unisex hats collection, ‘The Safari by CBK Unisex Agnat/Flat Cap’.

The brand launched the Safari by Couture by Kimatheus Collection in 2019, and the Safari by CBK Flat Cap started selling in April.

The collection is made with safari authentic odelela material that was treated and given a different texture from the normal odelela fabric.

The owner, Kaino Ipuleni Matheus (known by her initials KIM), said the public know the hats by the name ‘Agnat’, and are in honour of her late father.

“In honour of my dad, I recreated a flat cap uniquely made differently from the usual ones. It’s made with comfort in mind and provides more shade. The unisex hats are made with two strong natural fibres, including our Safari by CBK odelela, which has a feel of linen and 100% cotton. It is suitable for all weather conditions and is lined with a 100% calico and a natural unprocessed fibre. They are water resistant, which can perfectly work in a rainy season too. It is 100% made in Namibia in our mini-fashion house,” she says.

Safari by CBK previously launched other unisex pieces, such as shirts, jackets, dresses, rompers, vests, coats, trousers, safety wear, pocket sleeve laptop bags, safety wear pocket sleeve for glasses and light sweaters.

The flat caps come in different sizes and colours, which include orange for the dunes, green for flora, browns/khaki/beige for fauna and blue for the Atlantic Ocean, Matheus says.

The flat caps are available from small to large, she says, and the unisex hats can be worn from the age of 20 to 100 years old, by travellers and people who love culture and like to be authentic.

The hats are made for the tourism market, Matheus says, adding that when travelling it is important to include a hat for protection from the sun.

“As a fashion and textile design company, we are more focused on using textiles and raw materials. We process, print, treat and fabricate it into our uniquely made fabric to create a niche and convert it into our designs, clothing and accessories. The garments tell a story not limited to the Aawambo’s authentic traditional fabric odelela, but is incorporated with different colour palettes for Namibian safari. This material was brought in by the missionaries from Finland where they traded with iron and ivory,” she says.

Matheus says the Aawambo use it as their traditional attire.

Born and raised in Windhoek, Matheus holds a higher diploma in visual arts and a bachelor’s degree in tourism management and a GIS honours degree obtained in 2013 and 2018 at the University of Namibia. She established CBK in 2013 and registered the business in 2016.

The clothing brand CBK (Couture by Kimatheus) offers classic, elegant and trendy garments, which are custom made by Matheus. CBK is created for both men and women, creative and innovative garments. Apart from the collection, CBK Designs also makes tailored garments.
She is also a full-time fashion design trainer at COSDEF Arts and Craft Centre at Swakopmund.

Matheus says they believe in working with diverse creatives and small businesses to bring their products to life.

“All our shoes are designed and materials like the odelela fabric and printed patterns are processed by us and later taken to the local shoemakers.

Matheus says the public can look forward to new scarves that she plans to release.

For more, visit https://www.couturebykim.online or Instagram: couture_by_kim