Brand integrity

More often than not, I get queried why my pricing is so high by Malaysians. Well, the brand was never created to be marketed heavily in Malaysia in the first place as USD15o - USD200 is still very expensive to most and only if the brand is an international one, then it would justify the dollar spent as it is famous, and wearing shoes, clothes or accessories from such brand would immediately alleviate your status.

I am ashamed to be part of this group who thinks this way. Yes, I am superficial like that. No, it's not really my fault or yours as we were brought up to look up to the west and we are influenced pretty much by celeb culture. Also, our ringgit is weak. So, even a high street brand which is deemed extremely affordable in their home country becomes a glorified luxury to most of us in Malaysia.

Therefore, it has been hard to sell my shoes to Malaysians as I am Asian, my brand is home grown, and my label is neither super cheap nor super expensive.

But this is what I would like to say about GlamRockChic :
- shoe upper (outside part of the shoe) is genuine leather
- lining, in sole cover and sock (the piece where the logo is printed) is genuine leather
- heel and platform will be genuine leather from 2nd collection onwards
- leather used is either calf, cow, kid or sheep
- only for Heart & Soul I used microfibre
- I do not stinge on undersole cushioning as I wear my own shoes. I am prone to feet burn from stomping on heels. Hence, cushioning is important. It is necessary but many brands don't do this. Because they.don't.care.

Things that I would like to stress :
- i do not use leather on the upper and then PU leather in the insides of the shoe and call it a full leather shoe
- neither do i make shoes in PU leather and claim to the world that it is genuine leather. Generally most people can't tell genuine leather from PU leather but I can since I look at leathers all the time now. Anyone in the shoe, bag, etc business dealing with genuine leathers can tell - so why lie? You lose respect and respect is already so hard to gain
- you cannot get genuine leather shoe for RM200 or less unless it is cheap leather on the upper, PU/pig leather on the insides AND that it is a mass produced style that is sold to anyone and everyone in retail business
- no pig leather is used unless no choice, i can't find the pattern or colour in sheep leather and will be stated on my site that it is pigskin. I will not sell this to any malaysian or muslim retailer unless they want to and will stress that they have to make it known to their customers
- shoes are designed by me. If I source from wholesalers, I will state so. I will not claim it is designed by me as I would not be proud to do so, even more so when it is to the media. I am not that thick skinned. I get ashamed very easily.
- I did not go to design school and I would never claim that I know how to construct a shoe from scratch. I also do not sew the upper myself as I don't have my shoe lasts with me to be able to do so. I am a dreamer, I design. My factory makes the shoe from my drawing and comes up with the prototype. Then I work to improve my prototype with them. Yes, they have been styles that did not work technically as I dream too much. I had to throw them away. It is not that simple. I learn as I go along.
- I would like to go to a design school on day. Am still checking it out to see what I can afford, if I can afford it. I would welcome any benefactor who would be so kind to sponsor me.
- I would never copy a famous designer style, change a little bit here and there and then say I designed it. That is really uncool.