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This story right here is mostly about Melanie, the heart and soul behind our creative journey. Now, don’t sleep on Steven – he might be the silent partner, but he surely is the man with the plan, keeping Melanie’s creative vibes in check, making those crucial connections, and bringing in ideas and advices. Steven’s the backbone, always guiding Melanie towards greatness. Ready to dive into our tale? Let’s get it!

The Roots
Melanie's story starts way back in the day. Little Melanie was always around the sewing machine, watching her mom create fresh outfits for her and her brother, even styling up her dolls. Dressing up in old skirts and dresses was her favorite game. As a teen, her creativity went next level. She started sketching dresses and designing manga characters with the dopest fits. In school, and with her mom’s help, she began sewing pillows and shoulder bags, eventually crafting her own shirts by mimicking her favorite designs. But as it goes, over the years of a teenager and young adult the focus was elsewhere and this passion went more to the background.

The Idea
Everything changed in 2017 with a gift from Douce. You might've heard her name before with our Motherland Projects. Back then, Melanie didn't know Douce yet. Douce was the fiancée of Placide, a good friend and brother of Steven. On a business trip to the Netherlands, Douce met Steven and gifted him a beautiful wax-print fabric from Bukavu – Melanie's first ever wax-print. But what to do with it?! That was the first spark for the business idea.

In 2019, inspiration struck again while watching "Orange is the New Black." Remember the scene where they made panties in prison? Boom! Melanie envisioned her own fashion line using wax-prints, aiming to create jobs under good conditions and a living salary in DR Congo. She wanted to give people a perspective and to help them earn a living.

So, for the first time Melanie began to combine wax print fabrics with monochrome cotton material. After sewing leggings with a matching jacket, she redeveloped her passion for creating fashion.

First Journey of Business Fashion
In 2020, Melanie officially registered Ndáko at the chamber of commerce in the Netherlands. She built the website, started the socials, and got to work on the first collection. But then the pandemic hit. Travel plans to Bukavu were crushed, so Melanie partnered with a local tailor in Nijmegen. The mission? Reinvent business fashion. The first collection, "First Step," dropped in 2021, featuring fresh designs. Finally, in 2022, Melanie and Steven made it to Bukavu, connecting with Maman Charleen and Nathalie. Their passion was contagious, and their work joined the Ndáko lineup, spreading their creativity in Europe.

By early 2023, they had a shelf in Nijmegen’s city center, selling their first blazer. One blazer sold, but the behind-the-scenes grind was draining their energy.

Down the road and finding a new path
April 2023 hit hard. The hustle wasn’t sustainable. On a vacay in Malta, Melanie and Steven had a heart-to-heart overlooking a bay. Quitting? Not an option. They needed a change, something real. Enter: Hip Hop Culture. Melanie and Steven weren’t just business folks; they were conscious world citizens, hip hop heads. Back in the Netherlands, they started vibing with Nijmegen’s hip hop community. This small but growing scene welcomed them with open arms, full of talented, humble people. It was the energy boost they needed.

Break
But even the strongest need a break. Melanie’s energy tanked. The past years were heavy. Her mantra? Yin and Yang, and the German saying, “Good things take time.” They had to step back from Ndáko, focusing on new full-time jobs, health, family, and quality time. It was a pause, not a stop. Every journey has its pace, and they knew they needed to give it time to bloom.

Raise like a Phoenix

Fast forward to April 2024, Melanie and Steven were ready to pick up the game again. A new business plan was needed – not for investors, but as a guide. Sustainability and transparency were the big red lines in their strategy. They wanted everything out in the open for their customers. A new website, new designs, and a fresh writing style were on the agenda. It’s August 2024 now, and they’re getting it right. All clothes? Unisex. Inclusivity is key – everyone’s welcome as long as you spread love and good vibes.

Mission & Vision
Mission: At Ndáko, our mission is to redefine Hip Hop fashion by embracing the world's rich cultural tapestry and championing sustainable practices. We create unique pieces through ethical production and upcycling, ensuring every item tells a story of diversity and responsible innovation. Our commitment to corporate social responsibility drives us to plant a tree for every order and support local communities, such as those in Bukavu, fostering growth and empowerment. Transparency, inclusivity, and respect for all identities are the cornerstones of our brand, as we strive to build a future where fashion celebrates and elevates every individual.

Vision: Ndáko envisions a global movement where Hip Hop fashion transcends boundaries, embodying the spirit of multiculturalism and sustainability. We aim to set new standards in the industry by showcasing the beauty of diversity and ethical craftsmanship. Our vision is to create a vibrant, inclusive community where every piece of clothing is a testament to our values of transparency, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility. By inspiring conscious consumerism and empowering marginalized voices, we aspire to lead a revolution in fashion that honors the planet and its people, one unique creation at a time.

Our Goal
Our main goal is to spread the statement and cement the thought into all our minds that the world is home to us all! For us, love is the answer. Being open to people around you, listening, and learning is what brings us forward. Our future is colorful and bright. Our business goal is simple: to align with sustainability through and through. We know we have limited resources, so indefinite growth isn't sustainable. We aim to be an exclusive Hip Hop brand, a stable and well-paying employer, and to create an income stream that allows us both a solid monthly salary.

Well, we’ve laid it all out. Sound reasonable? If yes, come and join our journey. Let’s show the world that fashion can be sustainable and fair for both the planet and its people!