Three men share their entrepreneur journeys and fantasy archives while donning the Gucci Tennis 1977 sneakers.
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Manfred Lim aka DJ Myrne.
People call you an entrepreneur. Do you view yourself as one? No, I see myself as a musician and producer. I do not see it as a business. What does entrepreneurial spirit mean to you? Classical success was down to working hard and being determined in the pursuit of goals, but I think that has changed. Personally, I attribute it to luck because people over-amplify these skills. If you had no good role models from birth to guide you, then it would be hard to attain classical success.
How does it feel seeing your dreams of starting your own business come to reality? I am happy to be able to write music and pursue my passion, but to me, it is a natural progression. The future is written by everything that has happened in the past. What is the most enjoyable part of the entire experience? Being able to travel the world and experience other cultures. I try to spend more time in places I have never been to. DJs travel all the time, spending 24 hours in a city before heading to the next is not seeing the whole world. And the toughest part? Separation – being away from my loved ones, friends, and families. It gets harder as the older you get, you value different things, and priorities change. What is the next step for your business? Looking at things that I need to do that are central to myself, like picking up new skills or hobbies. I really look forward to making more music. Every time I start on a new project, I get to learn more from previous experiences.
The Gucci Tennis sneaker is inspired by a reimagined archive. What would your reimagined archive consist of? A closet full of synthesisers, like old-school Minimoogs or drum machines, with all the workmanship of the 1970s and 1980s. What do you love most about the Gucci Tennis sneakers? Playful but serious at the same time. Which is more important for shoes? Style or comfort? Both rank equally for me.
You are on the court wearing the Gucci Tennis sneakers, who would you like to play against and why? Probably Tiger Woods. I am not able to beat him in golf, but maybe I can beat him in tennis. Dream spot to have a game of tennis? In a museum, perhaps the Louvre, hitting down all the precious objects. [Chuckles]
Gucci Wool jacket, wool turtleneck sweater, cotton pants, Tennis 1977 canvas sneakers.
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Morgan Yeo.
People call you an entrepreneur. Do you view yourself as one? No, I consider myself to be a leader to my team, and I hope to eventually be a leader in the (carpentry) industry. What does entrepreneurial spirit mean to you? Trying to make a difference to not only your team and business but to the society, general public, and industry. We have the liberty and responsibility to contribute and affect the various elements. How does it feel seeing your dreams of starting your own business come to reality? The past six years have been a fulfilling journey. We started with nothing but a dream and passion for carpentry, and I feel there is still a long way to go; the entrepreneur journey never ends.
What is the most enjoyable part of the entire experience? Firstly, working with my family and team, fostering the family bond we share. Secondly, reaching out to the general public and educating them about carpentry. And the toughest part? Just being in the carpentry industry is tough, carpentry is a sunset industry and is very backward in Singapore. We faced a lot of resistance when trying to implement new ideas. What is the next step for your business? Coming out with our line of furniture and taking part in Milan Design Week. Embarking on a new project called Local Tree Project, where we convert chopped trees in Singapore into furniture.
The Gucci Tennis sneaker is inspired by a reimagined archive. What would your reimagined archive consist of? I would like to have a closet full of ideas about how the furniture my forefathers had were made. A dining table, perhaps. As Asians, we spend the most time around a dining table and interact around it. What do you love most about the Gucci Tennis sneakers? Its versatility. I feel I can do anything wearing it because it is very comfortable, light, and feels very durable. Which is more important for shoes? Style or comfort? Comfort, for the industry I work in.
You are on the court wearing the Gucci Tennis sneakers. Who would you like to play against and why? I grew up watching Roger Federer, so naturally, it would be him. He is the epitome of a gentleman and carries himself well on and off the court. Dream spot to have a game of tennis? In a football stadium, in Anfield, because I’m a fan of Liverpool FC.
Gucci Wool jacket, wool vest, cotton shirt, wool pants, Tennis 1977 canvas sneakers.
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Mandeep Chopra.
People call you an entrepreneur. Do you view yourself as one? Entrepreneur is a loose word. I will take that if one would qualify as an entrepreneur if he/she starts something totally new from scratch. What does entrepreneurial spirit mean to you? Having a gung-ho, try-to-make-something-happen attitude – the spirit of making some dreams come alive, getting up when hit with adversity. Nothing comes easy in this world. How does it feel seeing your dreams of starting your own business come to reality? There is some legacy to what we did. When we started, the sneaker scene was almost non-existent in Singapore, bar a few pockets around. Seeing what it has grown into is amazing, knowing we created something out of nothing.
What is the most enjoyable part of the entire experience? It was the entire creative process when creating new concepts such as (Limited Edition) Vault and Chamber. One other thing that gave me much joy over the years was seeing our own collaborations with sneaker brands come to life. And the toughest part? Apart from facing adversity, it was the day-to-day grind when having your own business. What is the next step for your business? We were heavily focused on sneakers for the past 16 years. The next step would be to diversify and focus a bit more on high-end streetwear apparel and perhaps look to expand our brand overseas knowing I have exhausted Singapore in every way possible.
The Gucci Tennis sneaker is inspired by a reimagined archive. What would your reimagined archive consist of? A sneaker closet with pairs that I could relive my past; sneakers which I wore when I was young and have them on according to my mood for that day. What do you love most about the Gucci Tennis sneakers? The simplicity and the retro feel it possesses. It is a tennis sneaker, but it is a staple for this day and age, where sneakers have penetrated everyday wear from casual to formal workwear. Which is more important for shoes? Style or comfort? It is how you marry both together, but if I have to pick, it would be down to occasion. You have to sacrifice one aspect for another.
You are on the court wearing the Gucci Tennis sneakers. Who would you like to play against and why? Andre Agassi. He’s an icon for me. I grew up watching and idolising him, wearing the sneakers and clothes he used to wear. Dream spot to have a game of tennis? Wimbledon, Centre Court. It is a no-brainer being a tennis fan to play in the most prestigious tennis arena.
Gucci Cotton jacket, cotton shirt, cotton pants, leather belt, Tennis 1977 canvas sneakers.
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Photography Cher Him
Text Asaph Low
Styling Manfred Lu
Grooming and Hair Priscelia Wong using Nars and Kevin Murphy.
This story first appeared in the March ’20 issue of Men’s Folio Singapore.
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