Founder of Lewré Bespoke gives talk on branding

UTAR Division of Community and International Networking (DCInterNet) in collaboration with Lewré Bespoke organised the “World Branding Talk Series: From Princess to you” on 28 March 2023 at Sungai Long Campus. Dato’ Lewre Lew Fong Voon, the founder and chairman of Lewré Bespoke was invited to deliver the talk.

Dato’ Lew

At the talk, Dato’ Lew shared how he started from a humble beginning, having zero sales in the first three years of his business, to having huge success in selling his footwear, especially to prominent figures such as the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton; China first lady, Peng Liyuan, and The Queen of Malaysia, Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tuanku Haminah binti Hamidun. He also managed to sell his footwear to local celebrities such as Dato’ Siti Nurhaliza, Dato’ Sheila Majid, Wong Chui Ling, Amber Chia and Shila Amzah. Furthermore, Dato’ Lew proudly shared that one of his footwear entered The Malaysia Book of Record in 2018 as the most expensive wedding shoe valued at RM5million.

Some of the local celebrities who purchased Lewré Bespoke footwear

During the talk, Dato’ Lew shared the 4B’s in branding that everyone should know and apply, whether in the business world or day-to-day life. The first one is “Believe”. He said, “If you don’t believe in yourself, no one will ever do.” The second one that he shared was the word “Bold”. In other words, do something different from others; dare to be different. The third one that he shared was the concept of the “Blue Ocean”. He explained that the “Blue Ocean” is an idea that represents an unexplored market space which is vast like an open ocean, creating new market spaces rather than competing in the existing ones. In contrast, the term “Red Ocean” refers to bloodshed and fierce competition that occur in crowded market spaces, where companies fight for a share of the same customer base. Last but not least, he shared the fourth B’ which was “Branded”. He said, “Being branded is also being wanted.”

His final advice for the participants was one must learn how to quickly adapt as the world is always in constant change. “Get yourself ready, the world won’t wait for you,” he said. “Life will always have ups and downs, just like how our fingers are made. Therefore, don’t worry; rather have the mindset not only to change but to also revolutionise,” he concluded.

The talk ended with an interactive and insightful Q&A session followed by a group photography session.

Dato’ Lew presenting the digital sketch of his footwear

Dato’ Lew engaging with students during Q&A session

DCInterNet Director Assoc Prof Dr Lai Soon Onn (right) presenting a token of appreciation to Dato’ Lew

The poster