Umhlanga’s Sue Miles has a healthy obsession with stylish and comfortable shoes, so when she was left frustrated with what was available, she started designing her own range of shoes.
As a creative thinker, Sue thrives on being busy. This can include anything from organising events, promoting brands and designing new shoe styles, to watching movies and live music, walking on the promenade and slackpacking in the winelands or along the coast, exploring game reserves and enjoying wine with friends. With travel having opened up again, a trip to Europe is planned for later this year to visit family and friends, as well as to research design trends.
When Covid struck, Sue pondered the prospect of delving into the shoe industry and the more she thought about it and researched her plans, the more excited she became. “I canvassed family and friends and did some market research. I knew no-one in the leather or footwear industries; but several people were incredibly generous, sharing their time, knowledge and experience with me. So, I followed my gut and took the proverbial deep-end plunge!”
With a love for colour and texture, Sue sourced materials from several leather suppliers around the country who tan and manufacture premium leathers and game skins. She also found herself a handful of local craftsmen with an incredible wealth of knowledge and skill, and decades of experience, to make her patterns, knives, soles, uppers and final products.
“From my office space in Morningside, I conceptualise the design, do umpteen sketches and eventually get a sample made. Fortunately, I’m a standard SA size 4 fit, which is the perfect size for samples. Once the factory has made any tweaks and changes required, the pattern makers then grade other sizes and knives are made.”
From her drawing board where she visualizes and sketches, with comfort in mind, to boutique stores and the online platform where she showcases her entire Zaluki shoe range, Sue and her equally dedicated little team work together every step of the way to create gorgeous footwear for women who long to make a statement that’s effortless, uncomplicated and unique to them.
Because her business is small and she largely makes to order, Sue says they can easily adjust for non-standard feet or for customers wanting a different colour combination for a specific outfit or event.
“Still being new in the industry, I get a little surge of satisfaction with customer feedback. Recently a Gauteng customer received her Mules on a Friday. The next day another order came through from her for three more pairs in different colours, and for two more on the Monday. Rather intrigued, I made contact. She said her job required her to stand all day, and she’d never worn such comfy shoes.”
“Another customer has a size 4 left foot and size 6 right, so she’s always had to buy two pairs of every style. We make her a single pair at the same price, which obviously makes her shoe shopping more affordable. A customer for life, hopefully!”
Always working on new styles, thinking of new colour and texture combinations, as well as ways to transform a style into different looks, Sue says customers are clearly happy to spend more on a leather product, like The Switch, which they can change up for different looks, ultimately getting three pairs of sandals from their initial purchase. Bodes well for their tagline ‘Same shoe, different you’.
“I think footwear can make such a statement. It completes a look and pulls together colours and elements of an outfit. Shoes speak to the image or vibe you want to project that day. More importantly they say something about who you are! This has been a phenomenal road – exciting, challenging, frustrating at times, but so enriching. I’m having so much fun learning the dynamics of a totally new industry and I absolutely love it!”
Details: IG: @zaluki_handmade FB: @zaluki.handmade or you can visit www.zaluki.co.za
