Temilade Tolulope Osinfade is the Creative Director and C.E.O of T.T.DALK, an outstanding fashion forward brand that creates exclusive footwear, accessories, and leather products for today’s stylish man and woman. The brand which has been created to redefine the Nigerian footwear industry is famous for its simple, stylish, trendy and classy slippers and shoes targeted towards people with a knack for simplicity yet interesting style. Apart from shoes, they also make belts, ipad and phone cases, as Temilade takes us into his world of shoes.

Temilade

At what point did you decide it was going to be shoes? How did TT Dalk start?
It is very interesting because I studied at Babcock University, Ogun state and did Public Health. While I was in the University in three hundred levels, I was beginning to feel uncomfortable in terms of figuring out what I was going to do after school. I had always loved selling different things such as phones, wristwatches and all stuff. There was a friend of mine who used to do shoes, he had some interesting shoes and I was selling for him.

I was marketing for him meanwhile I had a pair of slippers I use to wear and people were asking where I made it, that it was a nice slipper. I did not make it myself though, I had a shoe marker beside my house who made it for me, I drew the   pattern , design and also the material to use and he does it for me. I then decided to start designing my shoes, I would design, give to him and he’ll make it.

Before I knew it, I ordered a pair for some of my friends and they liked it, people were referring me to their friends but, it was within the circle of Bacook University. I was going door to door everyday after closing hours. I go to people’s room and market slippers to them. From there I got orders for the week, I usually travel three  to four times in a week and I had to balance it with school because then, I was in my final year with project to write. It was hectic though, but I was determined to get into this market. Something different from the norms of tee-shirts and before I knew it I found myself having the passion and drive and I put my all into it.

So how did you learn to make them?
At a point I just bring in the design and the material, give to the guy and he does the finishing and I asked him to teach me.. He taught me a few things while I was with him. I was also on the field marketing too and with time it grew. I later set up my own place and we have been in business since 2008, four years now.

When did you set up at Silverbird?
I set up in Silverbird sometime in August last year. Before then, we have been selling via our website and we have a fecebook page with a lot of followers and always online marketing. People order from there and we deliver. There is a courier service we work with, we pick up and deliver anywhere in Lagos.

How will you rate the average stylish Nigerian, in terms of footwear?
In terms of footwear, when I started, you hardly see an average Nigerian wear the proper shoes. They get the dress, suit, shirt and trousers right, but the shoe is always the problem, most especially the slippers. We still do well with shoes but with the slippers is a big problem, a challenge. A lot of guys, you see them wearing lovely natives and finishing up a shoe or a slippers is a big issue.

Made by T.T DALK

You see those wearing funny looking shoes or slippers and they think they are wearing something.  .It was one of the things that I considered before coming into the industry, to create something I believed was going to save the situation, something unique and affordable. Then I remember till now the very lovely slippers and how expensive they are .I won’t say expensive but very expensive for some people. So we decided to balance by giving something classy and at the same time affordable.

How affordable?
It depends, I believe an average Nigerian should be able to wear my products because from the statistics I have done, we have different kind of people who buy my product, even those who don’t have money because of the durability, comfort and how it is stylishly rugged, so I believe people who want to buy three slippers in one month, end up buying my slippers they can wear for six to one year without throwing away. People are paying for customized designs and not the regular.

Where do you get creative instinct, where does your inspiration come from?
Like they say nothing is new under the sun, I do survey every time to know what is in vogue. I have brands like mentors to me, brands like Gucci, those are the brands that set up trends in the world. We look at what is in vogue and I put my designs a little bit. I am more of the merchandize. I am more of the business aspect. I do fashion and won’t want to put something in the rack and be the only one that likes it. I would rather create something trendy that will be easily picked up, that is the idea behind my kind of business.

What is the trend for the guys and ladies now, what is in vogue?
For men, judging from the orders and highest click on our website. This is the early part of the year, but last year it was loafers, deck shoes comfy shoes. There was a time it was pump look like shoes in vogue, even on native wears. .Another time it was the loafers with the pointed. Guys like trendy, flat comfortable with heels, very firm and big. Judging from average Nigerian, every one likes it simple, flat and comfortable as well as smart on the feet. For Ladies they want heely shoes and always ask when will you start making heely shoes and I tell them not to worry, we are working on it.