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Mark Ong aka SBTG is one the most famous sneaker customizers in the world, and Owner and Chief Designer of the Royalefam clothing line. Although based in Singapore, his name is known the world over in the underground fashion, and sneaker enthusiast world.

FH: In your own words, briefly tell the readers who you are and what you do.

SBTG: I am Mark Ong aka SBTG. I run a brand called Royalefam and i am a punk rocker , freedom fighter , a husband, a leader, a voice for Asia and a contributor to the world’s fashion / street subculture.

FH: I know you got your start in the fashion game customizing sneakers; tell us a little about that.

SBTG: I started out patching up my ollie holes throughout the late 80s throughout the 90s. The SBTG name gained worldwide recognition in 2003 when I killed it in a custom sneaker competition. Since the popularity was growing and all the branding elements were ready, Royalefam apparel was born.

FH: Tell me a little bit more about your start as a sneaker customizer, since that is probably what you are most well known for.

SBTG: Its been a crazy ride and a great life experience to be able to have this as a career. I have gone from being on the top, with all the opportunities in front of me to being down and just cashing in. There has been a lot of self realizations and shifts in way of being throughout the past 2 years and now I am back with a strong team and I am recommitting to my craft to contribute to peoples lifestyle. It ain’t just about me anymore u know?

FH: Tell me how you got in to customizing sneakers, and did you have a long term plan to have your own apparel brand, or did you start out just wanting to be a sneaker customizer?

SBTG: Well back in the 80′s when i started skateboarding at about age 8 or 9, i didn’t have a big rotation of sneakers. as a matter of fact i only had one pair. Being heavily influenced by my dads artistic talents, most things around me were aesthetically driven. Patching the holes up wasn’t enough, I cherished what i had so i made sure they were patched up in a way that looked like it was designed that way. It had to look dope! I always wanted to be known for something, and I was very into sneakers all my life. I wanted so much to have my own sneaker / colorway so nothing could stop me. I actually wanted to have a clothing brand but it worked the other way. But the whole point is I basically threw away the key the minute i walked in that door. I told myself that this is gonna be it, I’m gonna be here for a while now.

FH: So your customizing basically started out as a basic desire to design your own sneakers?

SBTG: Yup, very accurate.

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