THEBRAINS.
THEBRAINS is a local indie clothing label based in Gombak & Bangi. I’ve met them during the recent Rantai event, and they do look like a cool bunch of level headed guys, really. Our conversation was cut short due to rain, though. Who and what are they actually? Are they any different from the other indie clothing labels out there? Check out this interview & guys, thanks for lending me your time. All the best!
Q. How was Rantai-Art? Did you participate in last year event?
A. It went well and we would like to thank rantai for choosing us and Alhamdulillah we never missed any rantai event. It is so cool.
Q. Can you tell us more about The Brains, how did it first started and who are behind it?
A. THEBRAINS officially registered 3 years ago. Actually we have involved in this field since our time in university and college. The reason is simple, this is because of our interest in arts and business. So, we combined this element in our goals and philosophy to make it success. Actually, there are 3 people behind the THEBRAINS. We started with limited capital and limited resources. Alhamdulillah, now after 3 years we already have our own outlet, production based and a few staff. We would like to thanks to everyone especially our beloved family, friends and people that support and encourage us to be what we are today.
Q. Are you part of Angkatan Baju Malaya?
A. No, but we support all the way
Q. Lately, there seem to be signicant a rise in the number of indie clothing labels in Malaysia. Do you think this is just a trend?
A.For now, clothing labels has became like a must to everybody, and as far as we concern, we’re hoping that it will not just a trend forever…period
Q. Some of local indie labels that was really active last year seem to be very quite now. Do you think The Brains will still exist in, let say 3 years from now?
A. We believe that they did not quiet at the moment, because most of the people behind the labels is still study and we believe that they had just finishes school, maybe they were busy with colleges, universities etc. But for us, hopefully we will be in the market for a long time. It is not just about the passion, it became business, we are very serious people who really keen to it.
Q. Why people should buy from local indie label if they can buy clothing by established international brand for a lower price?
A. Well, this perception must change, the attitude must change not just for the people, but for the label itself. We must understand that to come to ‘that level’ we have to start somewhere, start from the bottom, build up the confidence, show some quality, creativity. They did start somewhere too..
Q. What are your strategies to stay relevent and unique?
A. Be creative, do some research, create your own identity, let people follow you not because only for the trend, because of the designs and quality.
Q. How do you market your product?
A. Good marketing, words of mouth, internet, media and every source that we have in this world, make use of it.
Q. What made your product different from others?
A. Well, its like this. We concentrate on the designs, we try to educate people from the words that had in our designs and most of the design itself have a meaning. It is not just for a sake of mass production but zero quality. In term of business, yes we have to produce mass quantity but, we have to make sure the quality and the meaning in every design goes along. We cater for all ages, not just for the teenagers, create something that as far as the age concern can buy and wear our stuff. We can’t expect people above 35 to wear indie tee shirts right? What about kids? Senior citizens? Family man? Think fast, put ourselves in their shoes. We did not concentrate just a few designs like 5-6 designs per year, until now, we have more than 40 designs. We produce new designs almost every week. This is how its going to be, if you want to be competitive with established clothing.
Q. Do you produce other items other then t-shirt?
A. Yes we do, any printing matters, involves bunting, banners, business cards and even premium items like mugs, caps and other stuffs. U name it, we got it..hehe
Q. Where can we get your product?
A. At this moment, people can catch us at KL Downtown night market in Cheras and selected events, gigs and others event in KL and Peninsular Malaysia. We travel a lot almost every weekend just to meet people outside KL. Our showroom will be opening soon..InsyaAllah..
Q. What are your future plans?
A.nWe have to think big, international market, collaboration with bands, franchise all over Malaysia not just through gigs and events, but a permanent base in shopping mall or shop lots.
Website : http://www.myspace.com/tbrains, http://thebrainscollective.blogspot.com
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