For those that don't know I'm very fussy with my shoes, mainly because I value comfort and quality in all my pair of shoes than style (although it helps that they look good). But I find it so hard to find the right mix of comfort, quality, style and at the right price, and that was when I discovered Vangoh. I was walking in the city and there it was *cue music* with beautiful sandals on display. Since then my collection has grown. In fact, a little too rapidly. I think I have about 7 pairs of Vangohs and I'm struggling to stop buying them! In fact you were privy to a couple of those shoes in a previous post here.
So I thought it was fitting that my second "Spotlight" featured my favourite shoe boutique in Perth, Vangoh.
I met up the lovely creative directors at the Perth city store for a quick chat, and I brought along their favourite snack, Tim Tams whilst I picked their brains. They also happen to stock gorgeous clutches, bags, and jewellery amongst their beautiful shoes.
Rollcall:
Hi my name is Raj and this is Vanessa we are a husband and wife team, creative directors, owners behind Vangoh shoes and accessories located in Perth CBD (Raine Square opposite Country Road) and Subiaco.
When did you start Vangoh? How did you learn to design?
Raj: Vangoh was born in 2009 and have done more than 15 collections. The first collection was done mainly by me and wasn't released and wasn't the best. A year later Vanessa joined me, around mid-2010 and that was when the shoe designs really took off and headed in the right direction.
Vanessa: We are very push and pull, yin and yang. He (Raj) is the main designer and he's good at identifying and selecting styles that people would like, whereas I'm very creative and chose designs and style that are way out there and not necessarily the ones the mass people would like.
Raj: We work very well together because I select the colour, style and everything associated with that and she (Vanessa) selects the practicality side of things, the comfort side of the shoes. For me it's more, I like the colour, I like the shoe, I want to get that. While, she thinks about the customers and whether they would like it and that is very important in business.
I have a background in fashion business, accessories and bags mainly. I have worked with a couple of clothing brands, but I like buying and selecting. We both get inspired looking at fashion, women's shoes, jewellery, clothes and accessories and previously I mainly worked with women's jewellery and bags and that was something that allowed me to develop an eye for what is on trend.
Vanessa: I came from a design background, mainly graphic design, but I'm a shoe-holic and together, with a year of research in the art of shoe making, we got started. Although we don't make the shoes ourselves, we had an idea for the designs of the shoes and found the right people to make it for us.
Raj: We have a love for fashion and we buy together and our first collection sold out.
Vanessa: It showed us that we were heading in the right direction and we are getting there. And really what makes all this worthwhile is when our customers come into our stores and tells us "we only buy Vangoh" or shows us photos of their Vangoh shoe collection. That is what is so rewarding, and that what we are doing means something to somebody.
Raj: Being a small company and with both of us working in both of our stores and comparing to the bigger companies out there, where they have a team of designers and someone who selects the materials and everything, and for both us, with hard work, with God's blessing, right things at the right time, we are proud of where we are and what we have achieved and are excited about what is to come.
What do you hope to offer the ladies of Perth?
Vanessa: Our vision has always been to be fashionable and comfortable. None of our heels are too high, everything has a bit of a platform or a comfortable wedge or padding, while being fashionable. We specialise in sandals and flats. So summer will have to be our busiest season. We offer something unique and shoes that are not found in the big chain stores or other stores around Perth. With our shoes, the style or design won't be found anywhere else, the colour, the fabric. Each shoe is a signature piece and unique to Vangoh.
Raj: Each pair of shoes is made with love by both of us. We spend a lot of time, 18 hours a day, 7 days a week creating the perfect pair of shoe with love for the people.
Vanessa: Vangoh caters to the practical women. Women who are working, who are mums, young women who are just starting in the work force. Raj and I also works on the floor so we know what they want - comfort, practicality and style and I think that is what Vangoh shoes and designs give to them - elegantly designed and practical shoes. We also aim to make every woman feel like royalty.
Any shoes for the gentlemen of Perth?
Vanessa: Raj does, and he has actually developed and designed a small collection, but we haven't released them, because we don't think it's the right time. We decided we need more women's shoes, more styles for women than trying to spread ourselves too thin.
Raj: Eventually though we will definitely have a man's collection.
Three words to describe Vangoh?
Raj: Love, fashion, comfort. Love - that is the love between me and Vanessa. Fashion is the business and we make comfy shoes that are stylish.
Vanessa: Happy, fashion, comfort - it's hard to condense it into three words. We always like to project happiness in our store, so happy and love.
Raj: Love is happy so yeh.
How would you describe the Vangoh style?
Vanessa: Vangoh style is a bit more refined and elegant. We don't do blocks or something chunky. But we are also edgey. More than femininity - edgey elegance.
Can you name three people that have influenced your personal style?
Vanessa: For me definitely my husband. He pretty much styles me. I actually do look up to him for style.
Raj: The person I look at, well it's not a person but rather their design and fashion, is Hugo Boss and Giorgio Armani inspires me. I'm throwing big names, but I'm really impressed by the look, the attire, the shop fit out is something very manly, it's almost like they could serve you a glass of whisky on the rocks while you shop around. That elegance and class is something I wanted to bring when designing the Vangoh shoes and even for the layout and fit out of the stores.
An interesting quirk about you?
Raj: I'm a man but I think like a woman, I'm not gay, but I can think like a woman.
Vanessa: I'm a complete clutz. I fall over the stupidest things.
Favourite tea?
Raj: Strong black tea, with a little bit of milk.
Vanessa: I'm a juice and water person not a tea or coffee girl.
Where would we find you on your day off?
Raj: I like to have my day off with my wife.
Vanessa: We are movie people. Ice cream and movies.
Raj: When we have a day off. We haven't had a full day off in four years.
But when we do, definitely ice cream and movies.
Vanessa: We just like simple things in life on our days off because we rarely have a day off.
Thank you, Vanessa and Raj for giving up your precise time to have the spotlight on you and your lovely store.
Check out Vangoh on their website here.
Follow their instagram: @vangohshoes
Like their facebook page here
or better yet, to see their full range of shoes, bags and accessories visit their Perth or Subiaco store.
Say hi, browse, grab a coffee, they offer exceptional customer service, serving coffee, tea and makes every woman feel amazing!
Perth store is located at 300 Murray street (opposite Country Road), next door to Bankwest, Raine Square
Subiaco store is at 103 Rokeby Rd.
At the moment, Vanessa and Raj are having a competition where you can win $100 gift voucher when you visit on of their stores then tag them!
NOW I just need to head into one of their store soon to participate.
**P.S: this competition is run by Vanessa and Raj and has no affiliations with this post or interview**
***P.P.S: We did however almost consumed the whole packet of tim tams during that time**
