Best foot forward

Heads swirl as she walks in through the glass doors of 5, a gym in Cuffe Parade. Dressed in a knitted pink dress with chunky beads around her neck, she is a trendsetter of sorts.

As Rinaldi marks its 10th anniversary, the shoe czarina talks about her long journey, from being a girl to a woman

Heads swirl as she walks in through the glass doors of 5, a gym in Cuffe Parade. Dressed in a knitted pink dress with chunky beads around her neck, she is a trendsetter of sorts. A regular at the gym, she heads straight to the reception to seek access to the swimming pool. Born and raised in this posh neighbourhood, it isn8217;t a surprise that everyone here knows her. 8220;But I am not that social. I have just my set of friends whom I hang out with,8221; says Rina Shah, arguably India8217;s finest shoe designer, 8220;This is precisely why I am not a regular at page-three parties.8221;

Shah began making beautiful shoes and handbags as a hobby in 1998. As her store, Rinaldi turns 10, the brand, synonymous with up-market chic, celebrates its high-profile clientele like the Ambanis and several Bollywood actresses. 8220;When I started off, I was one of the few women entrepreneurs. Nobody took me seriously, not even my staff. Today, I also have a branch in New Jersey and will open one in Bandra in 15 days,8221; she smiles, half-testing the lip gloss as she applies it.

How then did the parents of a South Mumbai snobette approve of a career in shoe designing? 8220;In this city, the conversation piece is not your solitaires, but your job. But obviously, my family didn8217;t want me to work. I am the only working-woman in my family,8221; she shocks us.

Shah lived in New York for four years, before moving base to Mumbai last year. 8220;NYC is my second home,8221; she says while taking a glance at the greenery beyond the pool. 8220;But this is where I grew up and where my memories are rooted.8221;

Shah is also launching a footwear line for kids8212;Rinaldi Angel. 8220;To be honest, I wanted to launch it when I would have children of my own. But that seems to be a far-fetched thought now. I8217;m yet to find the right man,8221; she grins.

Shah did find her man a few years ago but the marriage ended on a sour note. The marriage itself had society hacks8217; tongues wagging; her husband8217;s sexuality was questioned and added to that were the rumours that were pilfered from her business.

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8220;It the divorce happened for the better. It matured me and I started taking life more seriously. Divorces weren8217;t common then and everyone in my social circle thought I had taken too drastic a step. But there were ample reasons,8221; she reasons.

Today, she is single, successful and savvy, but at 34, she8217;s still a mamma8217;s girl and continues to live with her family in their Cuffe Parade pad. 8220;I am a Gujarati. Even if I am 50 and single, I don8217;t think they will let me live on my own,8221; she giggles as she chivvies to her store.

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