Zimbabwean model Kim Jayde Robinson is a Forbes 30 Under 30, 2019 honouree and one of South Africa’s most refined celebrities. Recently, the avid shoe aficionado launched her own media production house KJ Productions RSA. She chats with Jackson Onyango on everything fashion.

Besides the shoes, what are your other passions?

I have a true passion for creating content. Having an idea and watching it come to life, in images or videos, or ads, gives me an absolute satisfaction. Honestly, it’s the most exciting thing for me.

What are the three things you don’t leave the house without?

Face mask, cell phone, lip balm. Those are my very essentials.

Do you have a secret talent?

I’m a purple belt in karate; believe it or not.

What type of sneakers are you into?

Air Jordan 1 is my favourite silhouette hands down.

What’s your most expensive pair?

Nike X Off-White Sail Air Jordan 4. It cost me Sh20,000 retail.

In your shoe collection, do you have a pair with sentimental connection with?

Probably my very first Air Force Ones. Before, I’d never spend over Sh10,000 on sneakers, but I did on that first pair. I still own those babies.

Given a chance, whose wardrobe would you raid?

Romy D’Fonseca (@romydfonseca)—a Dutch creative content creator and founder and co-owner of Fire Affair. Also, Dilan Demir (@diln_). Their street style is crazy. I’m obsessed!

What’s one thing you are into that could be shocking?

I don’t think it’s shocking to me, but a lot of people are very surprised to hear that I actually don’t go out much.

I am not a party girl even though for many years my job took me to clubs and festivals around the world. I like to be home, at peace and quiet with some good food and movie.

If you could have dinner with one person today, who would it be, and why?

My grandmother. She’s still alive, living in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. It’s been a year since I last saw her. She’s in her late 90s and I terribly miss her.

What are your first impression turn-offs?

Just decency and respect for other people. To me there’s nothing more disgusting than treating another fellow human being poorly, so that’s probably the biggest turn off.

What’s the craziest thing you’ve seen a celebrity do in real life?

A woman I so admired and was always this innocent and proper lady. I saw her in a club getting drunk and sloppy.

She was also dancing on a table. It was so crazy to me because I understand branding.

But I think you should consistently be who you are. If you want to be wild and crazy, do it; don’t act all holier than thou if you’re not. I don’t know, might just be me.

What’s the mantra that keeps you going?

I’m blessed. I don’t know many people from my home country that get to live this incredible life.

And yet I am living it! So I take the good with the bad, and constantly remind myself “I’m blessed”.