I was a New York City gal, who was all about heels," says VIAJIYU founder Nicole Still.
"Then, I started traveling for work six months out of the year to Asia. I would go to Mumbai, Shanghai and Beijing every 3 months for my day job, as well as Tokyo, Hong Kong and Seoul. It's impossible to take the road less traveled in a pair of high heels.

I learned the hard way in Tokyo in April 2012, when my friend Lauren and I couldn't find a restaurant on our first night in Tokyo after Google maps failed us.  And, I made the mistake of wearing high heels.

Now, I don't travel anywhere without flats on my feet and high heels in my bag.

It's tough to walk the uneven sidewalks of cities like Mumbai. Or, catch a flight on time when your 30 minutes walk from the departure gate in the biggest airports in the world.

Today's modern woman needs a stylish pair of flat shoes to see the world and take the road less traveled. And, Havaianas - which I love - aren't so great in Korean winter."

So this is the story behind the creation of a luxury, Italian flats brand, where East meets West, old meets new and trailblazing women can design something one of a kind.

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Founded in 1977 by Daphne Sheldrick, in honour of the memory of her late
husband, famous naturalist and founding Warden of Tsavo East National Park, David Sheldrick.

The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust embraces all measures that compliment the conservation, preservation and protection of wildlife. These include anti-poaching, safe guarding the natural environment, enhancing community awareness, addressing animal welfare issues, providing veterinary assistance to animals in need, rescuing and hand rearing elephant and rhino orphans, along with other species that can ultimately enjoy a quality of life in wild terms when grown.

At the heart of the DSWT’s conservation activities is the Orphans’ Project, which has achieved world-wide acclaim through its hugely successful elephant and rhino rescue and rehabilitation program. The Orphans’ Project exists to offer hope for the future of Kenya’s threatened elephant and rhino populations as they struggle against the threat of poaching for their ivory and horn, and the loss of habitat due to human population pressures and conflict, deforestation and drought.

To date the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust has successfully hand-raised over 150 infant elephants and has accomplished its long-term conservation priority by effectively reintegrating orphans back into the wild herds of Tsavo, claiming many healthy wild-born calves from former-orphaned elephants raised in our care.

The DSWT has remained true to its principles and ideals, remaining a sustainable and flexible organization. Guided by experienced and dedicated Trustees and assisted by an Advisory Committee of proactive naturalists with a lifetime of wildlife and environmental experience, the Trust takes effective action and achieves long-lasting results.

Chaired by Daphne Sheldrick, the DSWT is run by Angela Sheldrick, the daughter of David and Daphne, who has been managing all of the Trust’s activities for over a decade. Growing up in Tsavo and later in the Nairobi National Park, Angela has been part of the Trust’s vision from the start, supported by her husband Robert Carr-Hartley and their two boys Taru and Roan, who are passionate about Kenya’s wildlife and eager to ensure that David and Daphne’s legacy continues.

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