Selemawit
Debessai is a young Eritrean from London. Selemawit earned her undergraduate
degree in Product development, Business and Marketing from City University
and Cordwainers University, specialising in the area of Footwear and
Accessories in all men’s, ladies’ and children’s footwear
designs. 
After
graduating in 1999, Selemawit was employed by Italian Footwear Company,
where her main line of work was to design and develop a range of casual
men’s shoes for the young market.
After a few years of taking on various design jobs her career path took
a different route. She started working in the banking industry where
she was promoted to a branch manager in one of the major banks in the
UK. Selemawit now works as a Customer Service Manager for Japanese Import
& Export Company. Despite having a very demanding profession, Selemawit
is still involved in small design projects and network within the fashion
industry; from attending fashion and textile exhibitions set up by the
Department of Trade & Industry to visiting fashions shows both in
London and Milan.
Meadna, How did you become interested in footwear design?
Selemawit, Well, I sort of grew up in that environment. My dad used
to cut regular patterns for men’s footwear designs for many Arabian
companies and one or two Eritrean companies. I suppose my creativity
also had a lot to do with it. I used to always doodle small sketches
of anything I found inspirational.
Meadna, how did you get the job with the Italian company? Was it difficult?
Selemawit, I was quite lucky that I had the opportunity to exhibit my
work at the Barbican; as a result I got an immediate job with Pitti
Capital. 
So
no difficulties encountered. On the day of my final year exhibition
at the Barbican, I was scouted by the owners of Pitti Capital Italian
Footwear Company. They asked me to work for them in Italy for a period
of six months in Fuccecio, a fifteen minute drive from Florence. I started
work straight after graduating in the summer of 1999. As a recent graduate
working abroad on my first full-time job I found the experience and
independence overwhelming yet exhilarating; I enjoyed every minute of
it.
Meadna, why did you change to the financial industry?
Selemawit, my financial demands played a crucial role with my career
path taking a radically different direction. I am in a sense lucky that
I had the opportunity to find a job that utilises my analytical abilities
and satisfies my result-oriented personality, whilst keeping me financially
secure.
Meadna, you also exhibited your work in the Eritrean festival
2000 in the UK how was that?
Selemawit, yes the exhibition was good. I didn’t get great exposure
but I met with a person who’s father owns a footwear company in
Eritrea, he asked me to work in conjunction with him on both their men’s
and ladies range. That proposal will take care of itself in the near
future.
Meadna, Eritrea is believed to have a strong footwear industry; do you
have any contacts with any of the businesses in Eritrea?
Selemawit, Yes I have contacts with Hadera & Sons Footwear Company,
Bini Footwear and Nuguse Footwear Company. I have also paid them a visit
on several occasions and they’ve taken me on a tour around the
factory.
Meadna, you have developed a range of footwear designs for the
most stylish market in the world, what can the Eritrean footwear businesses
do to compete in the world market?
Selemawit, it truly depends on the market they’re targeting and
the styles of footwear they produce. For example, looking at the climate
in Eritrea it makes sense for the Eritrean companies to target the Arabian
and African market. 
On
the other hand if Eritrean Footwear companies are to compete with companies
worldwide, then they would market their products at the western consumers
and export their goods to western countries. Nothing that they’re
not already aware of!
Meadna, what do you do in your spare time?
Selemawit, I like to cycle and walk in my spare time. I also get involved
with helping the Eritrean community organise sports activities, events
and outings. I am an active member of the Eritrean Youth Association,
where all the above is done with the aim of creating a solid Eritrean
Youth Community in the UK. I also like to keep up to date with new fashion
trends by attending exhibitions and fashion shows.
Meadna, who are your Mentors?
My mother and father are responsible for every success that I’ve
earned in my life.
Meadna, do you have any advice to those young Eritreans who
are studying in schools, colleges and Universities?
Selemawit, whether you’re at school, college, university, or already
working my advice to all my young Eritrean brothers and sisters would
be to think and dream big; that’s the only way you can achieve
what your heart desires. Eritrea needs us to invest in our country,
and contributing to your country with what ever you can do (be it big
or small) is extremely rewarding. So always follow your dream no matter
how big. We Eritrean’s are unique and dynamic in our own way,
and I feel that the Eritrean community in the Diaspora is yet to achieve
its full potential. I think our biggest challenge has been and will
always be to assimilate well enough into our respective host countries
such that we can take advantage of what it has to offer us in terms
of education and employment, whilst maintaining our Eritreaness and
culture. Though this is difficult I don’t think it is impossible.
The Asian community have managed to do this quite well whilst attaining
a position of social, economic and political significance. My dream
is the same for our community and with our history of strength and resilience;
I think it is only a matter of time before we attain a position we so
rightly deserve.
Meadn,
Thank you, Selamawit
Selemawit,
you'r welcome meadna
