Funo designs puts a traditional twist on sneakers
Funo Designs was inspired by the growing entrenchment of traditional fashion by middle-class women in both rural and urban areas including big cities.
LIMPOPO- From her humble beginnings, nature conservation graduate Lufuno Netshithuthuni took it upon herself to establish Funo Designs.
The 32-year-old from Ha-Dumasi outside Thohoyandou designs and handcrafts traditional shoes, and makes the shoes on special request.
“When I was a little girl I used to make clothes for my dolls. Later, in 2019, when I was shopping at a Pretoria fashion outlet looking for a pair of traditional shoes to wear at a family event, I couldn’t find exactly what I was looking for.
“I eventually bought two pairs of takkies to design and make a pair for myself and my sister.”
She said she posted the photos on social media, still without any intention of wanting to start a business.
“The response was mind-blowing. By identifying the gap between what customers needed and what my brand could accomplish, I decided to start Funo Designs,” said Netshithuthuni.
She said discovering her gift of designing and making traditional shoes didn’t come to her as a coincidence, as she has always been creative.
“Seeing the final product that I made being worn by my customers with so much pride and joy, gives me a sense of accomplishment. I am thinking of opening more branches in the province.”
Funo Designs specialises in creatively designing unique and innovative modern traditional sneakers or tekkie designs for women from all cultural backgrounds who love cultural fashion.
“This was inspired by the growing entrenchment of traditional fashion by middle-class women in both rural and urban areas including big cities.
“I want to develop an inventory of unique modern traditional designs that can add value to every woman’s wardrobe. I hope that I will be the pioneer of the most creative, innovative and unique cultural designs in Africa.”
Her goal is also to expand in the field of fashion management, and to develop a strong base of key customers.
“I aim to increase the business assets and investments to support the development of services, and to build a reputation in the field of cultural fashion design and fashion management to ultimately become a key player in the industry,” she said.
