Jaenique Swartz
In a world where fashion trends come and go, five friends have embarked on a journey to create a clothing brand that would stand the test of time.
VIBEZ! recently sat down with the spokesperson of Squad Apparel, Joster Ndengu to hear about their journey and future goals.
Ndengu delved into the challenges they faced setting up business and the ambitions of becoming a sustainable apparel brand with the aim of opening a boutique shop by their 10th anniversary in 2025.
He said their journey has not been smooth sailing as several hick-ups popped up along the way. There were times when orders were late and the brand was not able to deliver the services clients expected as well as their sabbaticals over the years.
Ndengu explained that the original thought behind the name Squad Apparel was derived from the notion that Namibians enjoy moving in crowds, and noted that their audience is attracted to the brand because of what it represents.
“Our designs are always fresh and new, we do not repeat designs and that makes this brand unique,” he said proudly.
“We currently work with a South African-based cut, make and trim (CMT) company that does our shirts and they do everything according to our specifications. We love the quality and all our specifications have been met,” he said.
Ndengu said they had a very successful run at the Nedbank Youth Summit last year and shared their immense gratitude to the Nedbank team for availing the opportunity.
“We are truly thankful to the Nedbank team, and we hope to do it again,” he said.
The dream to set up a shop by 2025 is what drives the partners forward as they hope to open a shop that makes a change not only to them but to their employees and clients.
Ndengu further explained the brand’s goal of becoming a CMT company to fill the gap other textile manufacturers in the country are not filling, stating the industry is always growing and there is always room for improvement.
“We have done a lot over the eight years we have been in the industry. We are tapping into a space right now that can separate us from the rest.”
The influence of Disney Andreas, a Namibian content creator and sustainable fashion enthusiast, has been vital to the brand as they navigate social responsibility and sustainability. Thus far Squad Apparel has made the necessary efforts to meet that quota as their clothing hangers are made from hemp, a versatile material used for clothing and textiles. Their packaging remains an avenue they are still exploring to ensure both customer satisfaction and sustainability.
“We will show you better than we can tell you.
We hope that when we drop stuff, the audience will like it, love it, buy it, and wear it proudly,” added the brand’s spokesperson on their projects for the year.