Basic HTML Version
FireFlyz | 55
What areyour futureplans for XALF?
We’re aiming for more collaborations, as well
as pushing the brand as far as it can go and
possibly branching out into accessories. We’re
also hoping to open a concept store of our own
in the near future.
What are someof your best-sellingdesigns?
A favourite amongst our customers are our wedding
and classic designs. Every bride wants the perfect pair
of shoes to accompany their wedding dress on their big
day, and we can give them just that with our customized,
personalized shoes.
Besides runningXALF, what doyouenjoydoing inyour
spare time?
Well, I’m an unabashed fashionista, so I could spend
an entire afternoon devouring fashion magazines of
every genre. I feel alive when I see beauty brought
to life. It might be considered superficial, but other
than buckling down when life calls for it and
pushing though the daily grind, we do have to
make time for ourselves. I also enjoy watching
movies and hunting down new places to have
a good meal.
You’veprobably travelled around the
worlddue to thenatureof your job.
Wherehaveyou travelled to andwhat’s
your favouritedestination?
I have travelled to New York, Paris,
Italy, Beijing, Doha, Dubai and
Singapore. Personally, I love New
York City very much. I fell in love
with New York not just for the
beauty of its landscape, but also
because it’s great exposure
for young entrepreneurs
where they’ll have so
many opportunities to
meet inspiring people
that can help them
achieve their dreams.
Positive energy is
al l around and
that’s what you
feel right away
when you pay
a vi s i t to
New York
City.
What is the process that goes into themaking of
eachpair?
As with many other changes in trends, the
technique of crafting bespoke shoes be-
came popular because of ostentatious
circumstances. The need to standout from
run-of-the-mill offeringsmade it expedient
that only the finest rawmaterials would be
used even before the design process. We
usually consider a few aspects before we
design a shoe. Comfort is a priority. Style
is secondary.
Our personalised service will
ensure that you get impeccable vin-
tage craftsmanship with genuine
calfskin, lambskin and donkey fur
leather plus high-society aesthet-
ics for a perfect fit that is
yours alone. This is our
proudest creation
yet.
Howmany
collections has been
releasedby far?
We have had seven
col lections so far
– Xpression, Metamor-
phosis, The Malaysian,
Bonjour Col l ec t ion,
Swinging Shanghai, Wau
and the latest, Out of Africa.
Has any celebrities
adornedyour shoes?
There’s plenty! XALF has
graced the feet of super-
model Ai Tominaga, Devyn
Abdullah, award-wining
TVBActress Charmaine Sheh,
New York celebrity blogger
Tia Walker, Singaporean actress
Sharon Au and Irene Ang, Miss
Singapore 2006 Collen Francisca, Miss
Malaysia Universe 1978 & TV personality,
Datuk Yasmin Yusuff, Miss MalaysiaWorld
2009/10 and International Model, Thanuja
Ananthan, Forbes Asia’s Heroes of Philanthropy
2010, Dato’ Ruby Khong, pop star Mizz Nina and
many more.
What are someof yourmemorable achievements
with this brand?
The biggest moment will of course be the official
launch of XALF at the Bentley Gallery Kuala
Lumpur. A close second will be seeing them
on the feet of prominent personalities and
celebrities. It is really satisfying to see our
label grow.