SWAKARA garments, made from the leather of Namibia's indigenous Karakul sheep, are such a sought-after fashion item throughout the world that, to keep up with the export demand, primary manufacturer, Nakara, is having to expand its Windhoek-based tannery.
Nakara's boutique retail outlet features a host of leather gifts, handbags, accessories and garments designed and manufactured by the Nakara team led by Brigitte and Kevin Davidow, who established the operation 20 years ago.
All items are tax-free for international tourists and are crafted out of game leather such as ostrich or kudu or in the widely-acclaimed swakara leather.
Brigitte Davidow is proud of the fact that Nakara-manufactured items are sold in exclusive boutiques throughout Europe, including Germany, Italy and France, as well as Scandinavia and the USA.
"I knew our business - and our designs - had made it when one of our garments was featured on the cover of the highly exclusive international fashion magazine, Fur Arpel," she said.
(Southern African Tourism Update - September 2000)
