IF some of the world's fashion capitals have popular multi-label stores such as London's Dover Street Market, Milan's 10 Corso Como and Hong Kong's Joyce, Kuala Lumpur takes pride in Collab Store, which offers a variety of items by homegrown talents.
The multi-label store is home to 16 brands that provide ready-to-wear, footwear, bags, accessories and perfume, for men and women.
The designers were specially selected by industry expert Richard Tsen who has 20 years' experience in retail, design and consultancy work in Singapore and Malaysia as well as teaching fashion marketing at fashion design school Esmod KL.
The brands are Projet1826, Eliot Malaysia, Sir by Jason, Orga, MZZH, Furry Macaroni, Eric Choong, Andy Sulaiman, Yacutha and Esmod KL alumni namely Vibrate, The Woman of Yee, HomunHooi, Woo Moh, LHY, Liren, and Scotty.
"The designers are creative and committed to their craft, producing quality products that would make even the most jaded consumer excited," says Sabah-born Tsen, who conceptualised Collab Store, located at Shoppes at Four Seasons Place.
For instance, the brand Yacutha offers silk taffeta kaftans in deconstructed designs that would guarantee a grand entrance — and exit — while leather bags by The Woman of Yee of Esmod Alumni feature ornate vintage brass clasps that hark back to the olden days of Peranakan culture.
SUSTAINABLE SOURCES
Sandals by Projet1826 are designed with rubber outsoles from local latex and the best part is that they're sustainable since the latex comes from unused remains from the milky liquid dripping from the cans used to collect it.
These latex, although leftovers, are as good as any other latex and they are purchased directly from rubber tappers in the outskirts of Ipoh, Perak.
"It's a win-win situation for the rubber tapper and designer; the former gets additional income and the latter can create his fine footwear using sustainable, local latex."
Tsen notes that shoppers don't come to Collab Store to look for the latest fad because that's a given.
"What's missing in the market now are brands with local elements that can be worn with pride. 'Identifiable' is the keyword right now and I want Collab Store to be a Malaysian product carrying Malaysian products," he explains.
He observes that today's consumers prefer things that are versatile and Collab Store gives them just that; brands offering different items that can be mixed and matched in keeping with Collab Store's tagline "We Create, You Style".
THEMATIC APPROACH
There will also be different themes and activities such as talks, artist collaborations and colour themes every month to give an exciting shopping experience to the consumer.
"Events will be a testimony that physical store shopping will remain strong and relevant despite the pandemic and rise of online retail.
"I am a big believer that when it comes to apparel and footwear, that 70 per cent of your business has to be offline, in a physical store, and 30 per cent online.
"I have enough experience and feedback from retailers to know that traditional shopping in malls can never die," explains Tsen.
Online shopping, he adds, is impersonal. Plus, you can't try on the dress, pants or shoes that you want to buy online, he notes.
"Customers want to have that in-person service from another human being (read: sales associate) which they can't get online. Experience is everything, more so in these unprecedented times where people have been cooped up for so long at home,"
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