Personalised “kicks” with animated and decorative detailing bring warmth to those who enjoy walking in colour.
So says Nikita Karsan, who started a part-time business – Nix’s Kix – in customised sneakers for all ages in December 2015.
Uitenhage-born Karsan, 23, has from a young age loved art and colour and pursued it as a hobby, taking private art classes after school.
“My first pair of Nix’s Kix was a gift of customised sneakers for my minion-loving sister.
“From there, my parents then suggested that I start a business on the side.
“I have always loved animation. There is this warmth it brings to the heart and I enjoy having to [illustrate] and add colour in my clients’ [lives],” Karsan said.
Her business kicked off while she was studying for a BA in legal theory and psychology at Rhodes University.
“Rhodes is a very creative and liberal space and [my business boomed] there because of the big market.
“I also did a few [stylised] overalls that students wear at varsity games.
“At the time I had no idea that my hobby would transform into the well-received business it is today,” she said.
Karsan is in her third year of an LLB at Nelson Mandela University and says she has not yet decided on what to pursue – between becoming a judge and becoming a Disney animator – after completing her studies.
“I’m passionate about both these career options.
“But it would be incredibly fulfilling to add my own Disney character and become an animator.
“It’s been my lifelong dream. “The two fields are far apart but it’s about finding a balance.
“I am interested in patent law or copyright law, which I believe would useful for my business,” she said.
Karsan said art was personal for her.
Each piece she designed should always speak to her client’s character.
“I just love expressing myself, especially through freehand sketches, animation and painting.
“Nix’s Kix [is] a way of sharing [my] passion and connecting with people in an unconventional and unique [way].”
Karsan said each pair of Nix’s Kix is hand-painted from start to finish with fabric paint and fixed with a fixing spray to ensure endurance.
It takes between one day and five to complete a design.
This includes designing funky patterns for vibrant adults to cute baby shoes.
She said she had numerous other creative ideas to make her brand more inclusive, like having online design competitions and associating her brand with other bigger brands.
“Nix’s Kix is mainly focused on sneakers at the moment, but I plan to branch out to other items like personalised denim jackets, jeans and T-shirts in the near future,” Karsan said.