Royal Approval

A determination to produce something better than was currently available is what prompted the late Mr Quek Ha Geok to launch Nankai back in 1971, almost 40 years ago. It was not an overnight decision. During the late 1960's he recognised that exotic skins had considerable prestige value, not least because of their unique individual beauty, a characteristic with great potential for high-end fashion bags. From the outset Mr. Quek ran his company on his Four Basic Principles business ethic: Trust, Honesty, Quality and Sincere Service. Not for the first time it was Japanese buyers who recognised the quality of design and production from newly emerging Asian manufacturers. He could speak Japanese too and this, allied to his Four Basic Principles, ensured that his customers returned. Many became his good friends. Today, the business is run by the 2nd generation of the Quek family, but still adheres to the Four Basic Principles. The market has broadened geographically, with buyers in both Europe and America, and domestically, in Singapore. They make use of a wide variety of exotic skins, such as crocodile, ostrich, snake and lizard. The company is focused on creating their own designs and establishing the NANKAI brand as one that caters to young professional high fashion lovers who appreciate the prestige status of these collections. That includes celebrities, the rich and famous and, the company lets it be known, "Various Royal families from around the world".

Jason Quek says, "In this present challenging market, branding is very important, therefore NANKAI has been putting great effort into advertising and publicity. "It's getting very positive response domestically as well as internationally." In 2008, the company plans to bring the brand NANKAI to, what Mr Quek describes as, "The next stage of development in terms of collections". In the 1st quarter of this year, Nankai will be opening a brand new 1700 sq. ft. store at the latest attraction icon in Singapore, The Singapore Flyer. It will be the largest collection of exotic skin fashion bags in Singapore. Where next? Mr Quek says, "In the pipeline is the expansion of another two outlets in Singapore as well as overseas branches in China and the USA. We will be exhibiting at Fashion Avenue for the first time in March." There's more on Nankai at www.nankai.com.sg