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So tell us Marista, how did your business in shoes all began?
It actually all started with a crazy idea.
I was actually very active in a shoe factory my grandmother build and passed on to my mother.
And because I was there, I took a lot from it of course, like holding shoes...
...looking at the different kinds of styles and also helping out my mother.
Then I also went to school aboard to understand more in detail about shoes.
When I came back to the factory, I came with my own brand...
...and not long after that, I took a leap of faith and started my own shoe line as my playground...
...to create more ideas on shoes.
How long has "Shoebar" been established?
Shoebar has already been around since mid 2011...
...which makes it already 3 years now.
Why did you choose shoes?
Well, I didn't plan it, I just fell in love with it.
For me, shoes are more interesting than clothes because...
...it has a certain connection through your heart, whereas for clothes...
...only makes me more attractive and it gives me a nice look.
What is your certain trademark in your shoe design?
Because I have two brands, they have two different trademarks of course.
For Marista Santividya, I certainly take quality very seriously...
...with a simple but elegant look and not to forget a quirky side to it because sometimes...
...I like to make the unusual types of shoes.
These types of shoes are favorable for the ones who like to go to the edge of things.
And there is Shunique, this line is more girly, colorful, flashing colors...
...which fits the part for a different kind of consumers.
Why have you chosen the name Marista Santividya as a brand?
Because I'm overly confident of myself. Haha.
Well, basically because everything is based on my design, my ideas, and my passion...
...so why not use my name as a brand. This has become my playground to work on my creations and designs.
Maybe painters could create a beautiful painting on a canvas, but to my present myself, I do it through my shoes.
After 3 years, where do you distribute your shoes?
Mainly because I opened the shop in Kemang (Jakarta), many foreigners are keen to buy my products.
Among them are mostly the Japanese, and because of that, in future, I'd like to expand to Singapore...
...but slowly while maintaining the quality of the shoes I make.
What do you think about the development of shoe trends in Indonesia?
I think the development on shoes here in Indonesia is relatively the same...
...although the characteristics of the consumers are quite different.
Here, the Indonesian girls mostly like flats, which generally are soft and comfortable to wear.
But our knowledge about shoes might not be as wide as the people abroad.
Therefore shoes should be a bit uncomfortable. So this is why, the market is different.
What is your biggest dream for your products?
Become a successful company but not only in Jakarta, but also in many parts of the world.
Also being able to take care of family. Because right now, I'm pregnant...
...I want my baby to understand how this company works.
Where is the most favorite place you like to go for travelling? And where is the one place you really would like to go to?
Of course to Bali and Yogyakarta. Because everytime I step foot in Yogyakarta I always feel like home.
And as for Bandung, I go there for the food.
But the most amazing places in Indonesia, would be Bali and Yogyakarta.
The places I'd like to go, would be Flores and Raja Ampat, but also Nias...
...and another one in Manado that has that interesting cemeteries in caves.
Oh, is it Tanah Toraja? That is also somewhere I'd like to go in Indonesia.
What do you think about the potential of tourism in Indonesia?
I think it is very big, we need try and start to improve ourselves for the environment.
What is your most favorite traditional food ?
Bakso (Meatballs) Period. Just Bakso, Siomay dumplings, and pempek (fried fish meatballs).
When designing shoes, is there anyone that inspires your shoe line?
Of course, my inspirations also come for a very well known shoe designer...
his name is Roger Widya because he designs shoes that are very elegant but has a quirky side to it as well.
I guess because I went to school in Europe, my sense of quirkiness came along with me.
Do you any tips for our younger generation who dreams to be a shoe designer?
First tip, you have to have a strong production skill.
I mean, not just the design, but you also have to know more about the production itself.
But we also need to know how to make them, and where to find the good quality materials to make shoes.
Because believe me, if you are to design your shoes, and then give them to someone else to handle its production...
...it will not turn out as expected.
That is why, I have my full eyes on in my workshop because I know what I want it to be like...
...from the components of the shoes, whom the suppliers are and where they get them from.
So if you really want to start a business, then be full hearted.
How much are the prices of Marista Santividya and shunique shoes?
For Marista Santividya, the prices range from seven hundred thousand to three million rupiahs.
But for shunique, there are discounts from one hundred thousand rupiah to three hundred thousand rupiah.