Zaid Arif, the founder of Zeve Shoes, first developed an interest for footwear when he was a teenager. Gradually, he boldly entered the shoe-making business with the goal of providing better shoes of higher quality and sophistication at affordable prices. His brand Zeve, which was influenced by European designs, quickly achieved success.
A penchant for style: From humble beginnings to thriving business
Shoe trends come and go, but there are some styles that remain. A good pair of Oxford and easy slip-on loafers will never go out of style. Even if you are not particular about your footwear, getting heeled rightly is necessary.
Today’s fashion article highlights Zaid Arif, the founder of Zeve Shoes, whom I met last year while serving as judges for a Malaysian national shoe design competition in Malacca.
Zaid is still very busy this year, as indicated by the numerous posts on social media regarding his latest Zeve products. He and his artisan team make some of the finest men’s shoes in Malaysia, while others are outsourced to shoe factories all around the world.
“I launched Zeve in October 2015, with our initial tassel loafer collection featuring 12 colours and one design. Since then, my team and I have been releasing new designs every month until now. This will be our eighth year in the shoe business, and we now have a clothing line and accessories to complement our customers’ styles,” said Zaid.
He said that his fascination in shoes was probably triggered by going to shoe stores with his father, whose Oxford shoes were customised, when he was a teenager.
However, his interest in shoes blossomed only during his time at university, when he was already wearing loafers rather than casual sneakers.
Loafers can effortlessly elevate one’s look, even with ripped jeans, since there is no need to tie laces. It can be worn casually or formally. For any formal dress code — aside from black or white tie — a stylish pair of loafers can be worn with a suit. A solid laced-up Oxford shoe will look great with a smart suit.
We dropped by Setapak, where one of his outlets in Kuala Lumpur is located, and it is a rather impressive boutique where you will easily find a pair of quality made Oxford, loafers, mules, and even boots.
There are a variety of loafers available, ranging from the penny loafer to tassels, buckles, monk straps, fringe, and others.
“The one with the ice cream cone-shaped shoe on the upper is known as a Belgian loafer. It has a modern look and a thin outsole. It can be worn casually or professionally, with jeans or a Baju Melayu,” Zaid said, while we picked the one we liked.
Although you may have broader, narrower, or squarer feet, there are several styles that will still be comfortable for you. We even checked with their sales team on this.
It’s incredible how this shoemaker progressed from a humble stall to his current business.
Zaid’s shoe business began after he graduated with a degree in Business Management. A friend offered him a stall at a night market in Setapak, and a loan from his beloved university lecturer helped him get started.
During his time at the night market, he noticed that local shoe wholesalers typically supplied black or dark brown moccasins made of polyurethane leather.
With the intention to give better quality and more sophisticated shoes at reasonable pricing, Zaid bravely got into the shoe-making business
Inspired by European designs, his brand Zeve soon became a success story.
The Zeve Patina Collection has a high-quality leather lining and a hand-painted leather upper made of top-grain vegetable-tanned leather.
Leathers used in the Non-Patina collections include calf, sheep, cow, suede, nubuck, and polished leather.
Today, his brand Zeve has expanded to include other trendy items to complete the look for men. Zeve’s apparel collection includes jackets, shirts and trousers.
Then there are fashion accessories like bags and sunglasses, as well as the latest Zeve leather wallets.
You can browse Zeve’s website (www.zeveshoes.com) for more details on its enormous collection, which you can purchase online, though some people prefer to visit their physical stores to feel and try on their products.
So, what about shoes for the ladies?
“Yes, we are in the final stages of sampling for women’s shoes, and we plan to introduce them in the fourth quarter of 2023. Most of them are loafers for women,” Zaid said.
He is a visionary with a great sense of innovation and the ability to conceptualise and articulate his brand identity, which has helped Zeve’s eight-year journey tremendously.
“I also have an immense passion for menswear and a genuine enthusiasm for Zeve’s mission and values. This helps in overcoming obstacles and inspiring others,” Zaid added.
