It was on this day, 20 years ago we decided to take the plunge with our very successful slipper business called “Kozitoes” at the time, and expand our brand by producing our own clothing range and sourcing products locally and internationally.
In 2009 I embarked on a journey to Bangkok with my daughter Natalie. The rule, to literally travel with two empty suitcases and nothing else but the clothes on our back. Looking back at this, it was a trip to remember.
No husband and a credit card full to the max allowing me to purchase whatever I could find in the city that certainly doesn’t sleep!!!
Over this 10 day trip paving the smelly hot streets of Bangkok, finding one of the largest markets I have ever seen, we successfully sourced beautiful gift items and clothing which we ended up shipping, along with 800 beautiful crafted hair accessories in our luggage. By day 8 Natalie and I maxed our money and were rationing food for two full days before our flight home. Money well spent, absoloutely YES… but it was here that I saw the most beautiful fabrics.
Returning from this trip it re-ignited my passion for sourcing quality fabrics. From a young age I always used to sew my outfits whether it be for a casual weekend out, special occasion, or for our kids Cameron and Natalie. Returning from this trip I began playing with fabrics and producing clothing.
Our first shop was in Howick, by the Howick Falls. Over a 15 year period we opened additional stores in the Central Drakensburg, Clarens and our main store at Piggly Wiggly - Midlands.
Fast forward to 2020, Covid taught us a lot, it hit us hard like most businesses. Being a retail store and only being allowed to sell winter essentials, the restrictions of movement, and rules forced us to close all stores except our Piggly Wiggly branch. For the survival of this business we had to adapt to e-commerce and limited trading times. This wasn’t the end as it has allowed us to focus solely on what we take pride in… sourcing quality fabrics and producing a range for all shapes and sizes.
Our store boasts a beautiful selection of accessories and gift items of which are locally produced.
We are proud to be 20 today, it has been quite a eventful journey, We started out travelling around the country attending markets and expos, producing handmade Genuine Sheepskin slippers, evolving our new brand, opening multiple stores, surviving Covid and of course the looting.
We are so grateful for all our family, friends and customers.
Gary and Robyn xx
