My name is Kativa Bartholomeus Dias, and I was born and raised in Rundu. I am currently pursuing an Honours in Environmental Health Science. I am a vintage collector, vintage stylist, and entrepreneur.
This is my brave story.
I grew up in a town with limited opportunities to expose one’s creative abilities, and the whole vintage style started in Grade 10 (2017). I wanted to try something new, a style that could send a message. Our house had a box of old clothes, and we decided to unpack and look for clothing. I didn’t know anything about styling and layering. I would wear oversized suits, shirts, and even colour blocks.
It was challenging as people gave negative feedback and comments, but it didn’t stop me; I pushed through. When I came to Windhoek, I felt I had found my tribe. I became exposed to different people, environments, and cultures. I made friends with the same taste and established good connections.
I made friends in other countries with different cultures that helped me with vintage style and menswear. Patience was my virtue, as others had their hustles going, and I would get responses after almost giving up. What also pushed me was that I believed in making a change and being able to influence others on a good day. Vintage is all about sustainability and buying affordable clothes and making them expensive.
Very affordable clothing, but make it look exquisite. I currently do the styling for music videos and people. I belong to a group of vintage lovers who plan and discover the future of vintage in Namibia. I also have a shop called Tatelavintageshop; we sell second-hand clothing for classic ladies and gentlemen. We can also style you for that event where you know you will want to be the star.
We also sell bales to those wanting to start their fashion thrift stores and ensure they have all the support they need.
I learnt that when you have a dream inside you, do not let anyone tell you otherwise; believe in it, pursue it, just start, and adjust as you go along. The moments of loneliness and wondering whether this would work were my fuel to keep going. The moment of bravery was moving to Windhoek for school and finding my tribe, who helped me along the way.
After all, we are a village, never alone; that’s the spirit of the Land of The Brave.