Young Ditirwa brings glamorous shoe line
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Tuesday February 14, 2017 15:44
First there was Cinderella who won the prince’s heart before losing her glass slipper, and then there was Carrie Bradshaw (a fictional character in Sex and The City, who changed the fashion game).
In today’s world of fashion shoes are more versatile than ever. No woman wants to be seen wearing the same pair of shoes at every event. That is a no, no, which is why designers of fashion in the likes of Aone Ditirwa and others worldwide have responded with shoes for every occasion, even for those that do not like to wear them.
It is easier to imagine a woman surviving without love, but not without the perfect pair of shoes. For many women, shoes do not only give them glam but also dignity. Many singles and those searching for love believe that with the right pair of shoes and a matching outfit they can find a prince charming.
Luckily for Botswana, Ditirwa, a 20-year-old young woman from Bobonong has decided to design shoes that would be comfortable for beautiful and fashionable women.
“I have always had an eye for fashion. I have been raised in a fashion-forward family. Whenever I bought shoes I always felt the design was incomplete. I would feel that either the colour or heel was not what I want,” she told Showbiz.
Ditirwa said she realised that most of the shoes, more especially high heels, did not consider a woman’s comfort. She said she decided to design something that is stylish and comfortable for a Motswana woman and all women around the world.
Her shoe line ‘Ralocha’, which is a Sebirwa word for greetings where a person puts their hands together and bows before an elder or a dignified person shows respect. It is meant to make women feel respected, she said.
“In my shoe collection I use different materials. I used 100% suede, leather and authentic prints from different parts of the world and cultures,” she said.
Being passionate about fashion for most of her life, Ditirwa is not a stranger to the fashion world as she has been in the industry for quite some time. She writes fashion articles and has attended fashion shows in both the UK and China. She said the idea of coming up with a shoe collection has always lingered in her mind.
“It was only a matter of time before I started my line,” she said.
The multi-talented young woman said drawing comes naturally to her, as she has always been an artist from a tender age. She said due to her ability to draw, she never struggled with drawing her shoe patterns. Even though she designs her shoes, there was a company that manufactured them at Shenzhen in China.
Even though her shoe collection has not yet hit the local market, Ditirwa is receiving tremendous support from the local community. She said she was amazed by the support she received from Batswana who are eager to buy her shoes.
“I have never expected this support. I have realised that Batswana are now proud and support local commodities. They used to buy international brands, but that has changed, as they now prefer to wear local brands. Batswana have now accepted local products than ever before,” she said.
The young woman who is a medical student in China said she saves money and does side jobs so that she could ensure that her business succeeds. However, she said she does not let that interfere with her studies that is why she had stopped some of her part time work as a freelance make-up artist.
“I have realised that I had to do something long-term like my shoe collection so that I can give my academics time. My academics are my first priority and I am doing well at school.
People think that when you have a career you should be a slave to it but I want to show them that they can still pursue their passion while giving their professions their all. I can testify to this because I am doing it,” she said confidently.
Ditirwa said Ralocha spring debut collection would be available in the country this June. She pointed out that her shoe collection would be available at Boutique Concept Store that will be opened at North Gate Mall soon.
She said she intends to have an online store where she would be able to deliver her shoe line anywhere around the world. She added that she intends to expand Ralocha and make it known across the globe.
“I would like to expand my shoe line to men’s shoes in future,” she said.
The young entrepreneur also said she has room for collaboration with local designers to expand her shoe line.