From The Straits Times    |

Fuchsia Lane now offers a bespoke shoe serviceVivienne Lin sure knows what women want. It has only been four years since she first started her fashion label Fuchsia Lane in 2007, but she’s already thinking one step ahead. The young designer recently introduced a bespoke shoe service, where women can get Fuchsia Lane shoes custom-made to fit them and the dresses that they buy from Fuchsia Lane.

We talk to Vivienne about her bespoke shoe service and why she decided to launch it.

HWP: Why did you decide to go into customising shoes?
VL:
Fuchsia Lane started as a fashion label for ladies where each piece is designed and handmade in our atelier. When I look at how each lady is transformed when they put on my designs, I feel motivated to provide beautiful shoes for them to complete the look.

We did not want to be another mass label with ready-made and inexpensive shoes as there are so many similar ones out there. So we decided to provide shoes for our customers, and let them know that it is specially handmade for them.

HWP: Your shoes are handmade in a small workshop in Indonesia, but do you do any yourself?
VL:
Right now, Indonesia can only produce very [small] quantities; hence we are currently searching for shoe workshops around the globe to find one that is an expert in making shoes.

There is a lot of interaction between me and the shoe maker. I make sure each shoe has at least three samples, each with different materials, which is quite tedious to say the least.

The finishing touches are actually done at my atelier by myself. Take for example the nude mesh Twinkle shoes. I personally place the imported-from-France semi-precious Swarovski stones and sew each individual stone, all 40 of them, by myself.

Fuchsia Lane now offers a bespoke shoe service Fuchsia Lane now offers a bespoke shoe service
(Left) Twinkle shoes (Right) Flower Fairy shoes

HWP: Since it is a small workshop, will you reject orders if too many come in?
VL:
Too many orders are a good thing. It means people like my designs and are willing to pay for them. However, customers must understand as each shoe is handmade, they cannot expect a custom-made shoe to be churned out within two to three weeks. Generally, a typical design takes approximately three to six months.

If I ever get too many orders, we might just set up another department of Fuchsia Lane that concentrates on just making shoes.

HWP: Describe your shoe customisation process
VL:
For the Holiday 2011/2012 season, I have designed a series of shoes that goes with my latest ‘Portrait of a Lady’ collection.

Fuchsia Lane now offers a bespoke shoe service
Vivienne’s sketches of the Flower Fairy shoe

The first step starts with the shoe samples, which are available in different sizes and colours for the customers to try. Then customers can choose the size and colour they like, after which I will start the custom-design process for them. I can accommodate a few variations but not a total redesign unless a customer is willing to pay more for it.

HWP: What is the most memorable or extravagant customisation you have ever done?
VL:
There is a customer who liked my clothes so much that she asked me to customise a dinner clutch for her. She said that money was not an issue and allowed me to do whatever I wanted, and her only requirements were to make the clutch as extravagant as possible without looking cheap.

I intend to create a clutch full of hand-sewn petals and a handle full of semi-precious stones.

HWP: What designs will you never do?
VL:
I dislike customers who expect us to copy from pictures they bring. That is not our philosophy. I hope they can respect me as a designer, not a tailor or a shoe-maker.

HWP: Can you tell us more about the Fuchsia Lane woman?
VL:
Most of the women who come to me are confident working professionals who hold high positions in their careers. They are affluent, well-travelled, willing to pay for quality and do not follow trends blindly. They come to me for advice on what works best for them and they dislike wearing the same outfits as others.

The Fuchsia Lane atelier is located at 118A Tanjong Pagar Road. Visit www.fuchsialane.com to find out more.

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