- Finally!
For example, Furla in Malaysia do not sell men bags while other countries do. I fell in love with a Boss Orange bag which didn't, and might not even be shipped to Malaysia. Ain't it sad? But of course there's an advantage to it. If a seasonal bag from say, Prada. A new bag is released, in Singapore within days are weeks it'll be sold out. But in Malaysia, probably after months! So probably that's like the only privilege of being in Malaysia.
But finally now, Malaysia's hosting the International Shoe Festival! In Kuala Lumpur! Yay for me (and other shoe fans)!
The event will celebrate the best of the local shoe industry and traditional footwear, as well as giving a platform to international designers. It'll be held at the Putra World Trade Centre from 2nd till 4th of April.
Jimmy Choo will also be in attendance, showcasing his 10 most successful shoe creations and deliver a talk in the event.
The masterplan for this idea, said Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen, was to expand the RM1 billion local shoe industry and attract foreign tourists to spend in Malaysia, especially during the Formula 1 Grand Prix period.
"We not only want them to attend the F1 race, we also want them to spend money. Last year, the F1 weekend spending totalled RM64 million. We want to see more of that." No wonder recently when I walk pass stores like Calvin Klein, DKNY, Mulberry, they all have the F1 GP Sales. I didn't know what it really was at first, now I know.
She told the New Straits Times: "My dream is for Malaysia to become a shoe buyer's centre. People go to Milan to look for fashion.
"We have Jimmy Choo, nobody else has Jimmy Choo."
"With the support from Jimmy Choo, we believe our dream to establish Malaysia as an international hub for shoe fashion and become a shoe-buying centre is possible.
Co-organised by the Malaysian Footwear Association, some of the brands that will be showcased at the festival include Vincci, Bonia, Sembonia, Carlo Rino, Jukebox, Larrie, Nose, Asadi and Lewre.
Ng said the number of tourists who shopped for shoes in Malaysia increased by 19.9 per cent last year compared to 2008.
"We hope that this year, sales will increase by up to 25 per cent and will stimulate the Malaysian economy," she told reporters.
What? Vincci? Jukebox??? Larrie????? Nose??????? ASADI????????? WHAT IS THIS???!!!
Sembonia is fine, since they do produce nice shoes.
But Asadi??? Are they going to show this too???!!! Oh. My. Goodness. Graciousness.
But thank God they have Lewre, one of my favourite local brands. But hey, he's next to Jimmy Choo ok? Though his shoes are 10 times cheaper than Choos, but they look like real designer shoes.
So, the festival is less than a month away. Are you ready to empty those pockets for the shoes there? Are you??? Well I am!
And would you go up to Jimmy Choo and ask him to sign your shoe? Lets see if it happens!
*Lets just see if there are any Jimmy Choo shoes for men :-)*
