Mariel Beemster

I'm a freelancer designer/stylist for theatre and filmproductions. Besides this, I'm working very hard, together with Patricia van Oostveen, on our Kenza project. In this project we sell Gambian made childrens' garments to people in the Netherlands. This idea came to me when I stayed in the Gambia for a longer period. I noticed that the people really needed my support and I started a sewing workshop. Two tailors produced one order of childrens' garments in the Gambian style for me, which I sold in the Netherlands at home sales. Because of the very positive reactions from the visitors of these sales, I asked Patricia van Oostveen (also a stylist) to join me in the further developing this project an a professional manner.Step by step, we have been working to achieve this goal for two consecutive years and there has been a lot of progress. Since our financial means are limited, the project has known a slow start, but with a sarting-up capital, this project can be properly continued.
I have visited the Gambia several times now with an order to produce clothing. The first year I let the tailors completely free; they could make the clothing as they would do for the local children. But I had to make a lot of adjustments before I could sell the clothes in the Netherlands. We observed that it was really neccessary for us to train and educate the tailors ourselves, in order for them to apply the right sewing techniques, allowing us to sell the clothes in the right sizes. During my stays I worked with a lot of families which have produced many batches of pained fabrics using the tie and dye technique. I met many tailors who have fabricated several models for us, which we later had decorated with seashells. The final products are very special and appealing and they are very popular in the Netherlands.

One of our observations is that the way in which the products are made, needs to be professionalized. This requires an investment, both in knowledge, management and marketing. Even though we currently neither have this knowledge, management and marketing. Even though we currently neither have this knowledge nor the finacial means, we still continued on and developed a collection for the fall-and winterseason. We still use the same beautifull materials from the Gambia and make the clothes double-sided so they can be worn with both sides up. Furthermore, we apply fibrefelt in our jackets and bodywarmers for extra insulation.

The sales are now done through The Internet at our website www.kenza.info, which recently has gone on line. A large brochure campaign should bring this site to the attention of the public and we have a portfolio with which we visit shops in order to present ands sell our products to shops. We are very keen on contracting such a shop for orders to be produced in the Gambia.

There are many small sewing workshops with many tailors in the Gambia. The unempoyment rate among these tailors is very high, however. I know the capacity in the Gambia is sufficient to make this project to a succes and most of the knowledge is already present. A professional business centrum and a production centre in the Gambia and a large market will make this project succeed!