FILAFI FITHU, Putting her best foot forward

It takes courage to leave one’s comfort zone in pursuit of a dream, especially if it means quitting a so called ‘prestigious job’ by the society’s standard. But Filafi Fithu mindlessly gave away her position of Junior Divisional Accountant in the department of Treasuries and Accounts, which she acquired through the Nagaland Public Service Commission, for a far more fulfilling career.

She has always been a brilliant student but her extraordinary love for footwear absolutely showed when he earned a Gold Medal for doing exceptionally well in her post graduate course in Footwear Designing and Technology, Agra. Soon enough, she was working with a reputed footwear company in Noida, but that was naturally not enough for somebody whose heart has already been set for higher goals.

Notwithstanding the fact that she had a very humble beginning with her early high school education rooted in a small town in Meluri under Phek district, and later on, Patkai Christian College for graduation, she truly exhibited what she was capable of, by taking the road very less travelled.

That, she went on to launch her own designer shoe line under her own name- FILAFI FITHU, manufactured from Italy in a company called ‘Calzaturificio Taboo Line di Romeo Giuseppina,’ Vigevano (near Milan) renowned for its finest leather quality, in one of the posh areas of Delhi in Greater Kailash Main Block Market is an extraordinary feat. With this, she became a household name although it took several months of hard-work, passion, commitment and efforts to get where she stands today.

Currently working hard on their winter collection, while also hoping they can open a few more outlets in the coming year, Filafi Fithu shares her experiences with our readers in a candid conversation with YouthNet Opportunity Express.

YNOX: Your love for shoes, when and how did it happen?

FILAFI FITHU: I always loved shoes as far as I can remember but I guess it developed into some kind of obsession as I grew up because I always had a hard time finding my pair as my feet are extremely small (I am a size 34).

YNOX: How difficult was it to follow your dream, considering that you also quit a prestigious government job (as many people would say) and instead followed your heart?

FILAFI FITHU: If I were to tell you the truth it was not as hard as many would imagine because I have extremely kind parents. When I first told them about my decision they were obviously confused and did not say yes or no. But in the next few days they were already praying for me and my whatever decision. So this is the kind of parents I have for which I am able to do what I am doing right now and I feel so blessed for them. The faith they had in me made me feel so responsible.

YNOX: From growing up in a small town in Meluri to associating yourself with Italy- How does it feel? Did you think you would be here someday?

FILAFI FITHU: When I was a kid growing up in Meluri I thought I would be a doctor just because I used to stand first in the class. Life was such that you could never think of becoming anything apart from the conventional. But I was always a dreamer even then, so I still feel I am still the same old girl and I don’t think Italy or anything else is going to change the person that I essentially am.

YNOX: What was the most challenging thing you did while you were getting there?

FILAFI FITHU: First of all I am not anywhere there yet where I want to reach. I just started and I still have to learn just so much about everything - from the technical to the business part. The most challenging thing I did would be the decision to go ahead with my venture so early on in this career.

YNOX: You must now have an idea how people feel about your venture. What has the response been so far?

FILAFI FITHU: The response have been overwhelming! I think a lot of people, even strangers are so excited and curious about this thing. And it gives me a lot of excitement and pressure both at the same time. I want to thank every of my well wisher.

YNOX: So, what does it take to be there where you are?

FILAFI FITHU: Like I said before I am not anywhere there yet. But yes like any other challenging job it takes a lot of passion, hard-work, focus, self conviction, determination, craziness and ignorance all combined together.

YNOX: You are by any means a role model now, what would you say or advise our young people on pursuing the career of their dreams?

FILAFI FITHU: I am extremely humbled if I am of any inspiration to anyone out there for doing what I love to do. The best advise I can give to the young minds would be to figure out what they really really want to do in life and go for it. Trust me the universe really does conspire to make it happen when you really want it.

YNOX: Enlighten us a bit more on your take on shoes, how you design them, what inspires you to do so, the Italian connection, the leather, the material, anything and everything you feel needs to be told.

FILAFI FITHU: I consider the shoe as the most important accessory which can make or break any look. It depicts an individual’s personality. I take my inspiration from life and my many moods which I find so interesting. Designing and developing a shoe is an arduous and time consuming process. Normally, first of all you put it in a sketch what you have in your mind in accordance to the materials you want to use. Then you have to look for the components that defines the profile of you shoe- the sole, the heel and the platform (if you are using), after which you need to develop your last (foot-shaped forms) accordingly. Then you make a proto of your design on that last and have to make amendments several times before you can get the profile you are looking for. Next step is sampling which again involves several trials. After the final approval production follows. The whole process is like a puzzle and takes a lot of time for all the elements to finally come together.

The Italian connection- “I love their food, their products for which I decided to produce my shoes from there. Also my mentor, Sergio Peviani, is Italian who is again a very good friend of mine, so Italy and me really works!”