I once talked about the Chinese brand Ray Kwok, the founder GUO Rui (the same as Ray Kwok), who is a crazy configuration enthusiast. When I talked to the marketing director of Vibram China, he told that Ray was the one who asked them the most, and GUO Rui really looked like an engineer rather than a boss or designer.
As a brand, Ray Kwok started with work boots imitating the classic styles of all famous brands.
In the video chat with him, I mentioned that there are too many products, but the brand identity is not enough, and there are no clear collections to choose from.
Then they released the UK collection. The first batch had four models, and the cap toe Oxford I experienced impressed me deeply.
Almost two years have passed, and when I look at Ray Kwok, the UK series is finally full and mature.
With so many lasts and corresponding shoes.
To sum up, the lasts are of course a great advantage, because they were developed by the British last factory Springline, and it has two widths, D width and E width. It is very rare that there are different widths offered by Chinese shoemakers.
As for leather, many Chinese brands are promoting it now. Weinheimer black boxcalf and Ilcea museum leather, including C.F.Stead waterproof suede Repello, are very mainstream choices. But Ray Kwok always wins on cost performance. You can look at the same configuration and the price, which always makes people feel tongue-tied.
In addition, there are many options for soles.
I think this is a very good step, because the products are more systematic and the choices of consumers are more traceable.
I’m going to experience a pair.