BK Proctor establishes sneaker line
Dumisani Ncube | Tuesday October 31, 2017 15:03
This establishment makes the rapper one of the first Batswana to own a footwear manufacturing company. “The birth of the company arose from the realisation of the lack of sneaker/footwear production and manufacturing company in Botswana. Shoes are a major fashion component; no dressing is complete without shoes. Everyone regardless of their class wears shoes. I have always had a love for shoes, particularly sneakers because of the way they made me feel,” BK Proctor said in an interview.
With lack of footwear manufacturing companies in the country, BK Proctor had to work closely with Chinese Fang Amy Nie who is an expert in the business line.
The first collection of the sneakers, dubbed Proctor 1 will be set for release in December.
“We design and produce shoes which everyone can relate to, shoes of an urban feel, shoes that stands out, flexible, sporty, casual and stylish. The collection will be sold through independent and freelancing agents before officially being retailed via clothing and footwear stores in the early months of 2018.”
He stated that more designs would be released after the Proctor 1 collection. With China having a reputation of manufacturing products that are not up to standard or have a strong quality, BK Proctor assured that his collection is made from quality and durable material.
“To produce the first collection meant that I had to fly to China five to six times a year to monitor, weave materials in the sample room and for adjustments and approval. We wanted to have a product which says or screams ‘Made in Italy’ in terms of the quality material choice, design and we have achieved that with our advanced experimental first collection,” he said.
With the sneaker business, the rapper said he is looking forward to stretch the market, distribute the collection in and outside Botswana. “The market for sneakers in general is a vast growing market, not only locally but internationally as well. We are at negotiating tables with various sneaker shops and outlets all across Botswana to establish a proper distribution network,” he said.
With this development BK Proctor joins a class of entertainers such as Michele Jordan and 50 Cent who have also released sneaker collections.
With his new profession as a sneaker designer he stated that it does not mean he is no longer into music. “I believe cool sneakers are central to music, sports and fashion so we can’t separate music from fashion.”