In Focus: SBTG

10 March, 2010 11:15am | Posted in royalefam, sbtg | 7 Comments »

If you’re not living under a rock, you should be aware that the world-famous sneaker customizer/artist Mark Ong aka SBTG is in town to promote his Circus of Mutants line from DC Shoe USA. A couple of months back I had a 1 of 1 made for myself and I was so happy with the turnout. I had some time with Mark to talk shop. Most of questions I’m sure you’ve read somewhere before. In fact, the guys over at Clavel have him for this month’s issue (and another interview the month prior).

It was only yesterday I got to meet Mark in person. Actually, I think we met sometime before, but I guess I was forgettable and still a young’n in the game. Dude’s just awesome. He really puts you at ease. No diva-like attitude and just straight cool. Before I get into bromance here,  here’s my interview with SBTG:

Sole Movement: How old were you when you started customizing your sneakers?
SBTG: As early as 8 yrs old and professionally about 23.

SM:  Why the name SBTG?
SBTG: It was a name I gave myself back in 97. I liked how the abbreviation SBTG looked, other than that there’s no  particular reason.

SM: I’ve read in other articles that you started customizing to fix your busted up sneakers; but when did you find out that you were actually good at it and make it into a business?
SBTG: I found out when I was fixing sneakers back when i was 9 that I can’t really “mess up” on it, there is always a way around it. So I naturally made it into a business / my life when i was 23.

SM: How do you decide on materials to use on your sneaker creations?
SBTG: Its seasonal and whenever I get inspiration to use those materials to achieve something.

SM: Your creations are heavily inspired by military/camo designs. Why so?
SBTG: I was in the military for 2.5yrs and I was intrigued by its aesthetics plus when I saw what Maharishi did, I knew I could do something about it.

SM: Most of your creations are with the AF1 and Dunks. Why those silhouettes in particular? Do you do other brands other than Nike and DC?
SBTG: I grew up on those silhouettes and I love wearing them so I spent a lot of time “designing them in my head” on how they would look like. Yes I have worked with New Balance too. Basically if the project excites both parties then we have a winner!

SM: What would be the collaboration you’re most proud of?
SBTG: It would have to be every single that I am doing NOW, I always try kick it up a notch. Right now, I am enjoying the Circus of Mutants theme very much.

mark rockin’ his DC creation- Circus of Mutants

SM: What would be the most difficult client request you’ve ever had? Have you ever had nightmarish clients before?
SBTG: I cant think of a difficult client request as they all ask for designs that we pulled out before. Sometimes they request for too much design in 1 shoe but I guess they are just too excited and we advise them accordingly. Nightmarish customers, there has been less than a handful. there was one who demanded an email response 2 or more times daily. He even threatened us. LOL….

SM: I don’t want to say I got SBTGd into it, but can you tell our readers the added value of owning a 1 of 1 rather than buying so many limited edition releases?
SBTG: Well it really depends on how u look at it and how u personally like it. We take a lot of time designing our releases and we make sure those designs are made with integrity. They are usually more well known and have a story or concept going along with it which gives it value.  If you request a 1 of based on our previous design and adding or altering it a lil, you get to experience the basis of our craft, on how and why SBTG started. Both are great, so you choose.

SM: How long does it usually take to produce a pair?
SBTG: 1 day to a week.

SM: Now with our recent creation, the Sole Movement AM1s. What was your approach?
SBTG: It was basically to evolve the the AM1 premiums into a Regal Military shoe. It is a very Maharishi kinda approach.

SM: I know I gave you more or less a free hand in designing them. What pushed you to go this direction?
SBTG: It just made perfect sense to do it this way after our conversation. It was organic and the only way to go..

SM: You tagged my shoe as Disruptor. My friend’s shoe (Sable Dunk High) is Private Press. Where do you get all these cool names? Is it just something that pops up over the course of designing them?
SBTG: Yea, I go through this disorganized library of names in my head that influences , inspires, sounds right based from indirect sources and experiences in my life.

SM: If you were to do a collab with another artist, who would it be?
SBTG: It would be with whoever can come together to produce something exciting that we individually cant achieve.

SM:  After seeing your interesting designs, budding sneakerheads would eventually take the customizing route. What advice can you give them?
SBTG: Go all the way out. Be patient. Its all about beautifying the world and not who’s dick is bigger and you have the power to choose at every moment to be, NOWhere or NOwhere.

SM:  Last, what can we look forward to from Royalefam and SBTG for 2010?
SBTG: We can look forward to a commitment to beautify Asia’s street community from us. We are gonna help stores and brands around the region step it up!

Mark and MikkoMike Love, Mikko, Edong, and MarkDC Shoe Event, BHS 3/9DC Shoe Event, BHS 3/9DC Shoe Event, BHS 3/9

For more on SBTG and Royalefam, log on to www.royalefam.com or sbtgcustomkicks.com. Catch SBTG tonight at the last DC shoe event over at Manor, Eastwood City.

Tags: 1 on 1, royalefam, sbtg