The recent grand launching of Cover by Crossover Store at Sunway Pyramid that went down last Friday was attended by a few notable guests, namely local fashion designer Joe Chia, DJ Bunga and the guest of honour for the event, Mr. Takefumi, the principle of Red Wing Shoes Asia. We managed to get a hold of Mr. Takefumi, better known as Mr. Fumi-San, to get to know him better. Check out our interview with him below.
Can you tell us a bit about your role in Red Wing Shoes?
I am the Business Development Manager for Asia. My role is to be in charge of the Sales and Marketing for Red Wing Shoes in Asia. The countries that I handle is China, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and South East Asia. I have been doing this for 3 years now.
For someone in your position and with the experience that you have, what is your take on the leather boots trend in Malaysia compared to the rest of the world?
We have 4 major regions in the world. Northern America, Europe, Japan, and the last one is Asia. Each region has different tastes and different trends but a lot of the other countries tend to follow fashion trends from these 4 major regions. What I notice is that South East Asian countries tend to follow the American and Japanese trends. For Malaysia, in regards to fashion trends that relate to leather boots, you guys have a slightly more matured style and tend to follow the European and Japanese styles.
Okay, let’s focus a bit on South East Asia. Compared to the rest of SEA, how is Malaysia doing?
I think in regards to Red Wing Boots, it is a very new market here. Compared to your neighbours like Singapore, Malaysia is still pretty new, but it is catching on very fast. That being said, you guys are very much into the whole Japanese denim culture, which is something that goes hand in hand with leather boots so that is why things are picking up really fast here in Malaysia. Another thing I just wanna add is that, from my perspective, you guys know how to dress up pretty well. You guys know how to make a pair of Red Wing boots look really good.
Were leather shoes and boots something you were into since you were young or was it something you slowly gravitated to?
I bought my first leather boots back when I was in junior high school. After that, I bought so many other leather shoes. But the first time I laid my eyes on a pair of Red Wing boots was when I turned 18. I could not afford it at that time but after saving up for awhile, I finally bought my first pair. Many, many years later, I am now the proud owner of 50 odd pairs of Red Wing boots and also work for the company.
We’re pretty sure you’ve mastered the art of cleaning a pair of Red Wing boots!
Ah yes! I’ve had a lot of practice. Nobody really taught me how to do it, but it is just something that you will naturally learn if you’re into leather boots.
In your own opinion, how would you describe the perfect Red Wing Shoes wearer?
Well, that is a very tough question but for me, he would definitely be wearing denim. It would be someone who loves denim.
Last question, we now know that you have 50 plus pairs of Red Wing shoes but among all the models available in the Red Wing Shoes catalogue, which is your favourite model and why?
That is the most difficult question for me because honestly, I love them all. But if I really have to choose one, it would be the “875”. The reason is that the “875” has very nice history and background coupled with a very iconic look and shape. My personal favourite feature about the pair is that it ages very nicely.
