Q+A: Shoplifters Aren't Necessarily Bad
By: Grace Oon
What runs through your mind when you hear the term ‘shoplifter’? For most people, it would mean someone who flicks goods in stores. But speak the words "the shoplifters" to any online shopping addict in Malaysia and they'll quote otherwise.
The Shoplifters is actually the name of a vintage eboutique run by three vintage enthusiasts. Shoplifter Ami (Salmi Syahirah Mohd Salim) is an engineer by day; and handles emails, vintage items, photo editing and blog entries for the website at night.
Shoplifter Tina aka Syaiyeeda Binti Saifuddin is a full-time banker, who naturally maximizes her mathematical skills by handling the accounts of the eboutique. She also handles all the Neue Fashion Items in the blog.
And then comes the founder of The Shoplifters who also happens to be the youngest of the three at 20-years-old - Shoplifter Schuhz aka Khairunnisa Nursyazwani. Currently studying fashion in UiTM Seri Iskandar in Perak, she does the DIY being the only one who can sew, knit or crochet stuff.
The faces behind The Shoplifters with Alan Vega. From left: Tina, Schuhz, Ami.
We managed to speak to Shoplifter Schuhz for the lowdown on their intensely popular blogshop:
We first got to know each other three years back through mutual acquaintances and believe it or not, MySpace. We eventually met offline and became close friends :)
Cool. How did the idea of coming up with an eboutique come along?
We've been individually selling our clothes online for around two years and we're constantly buying more stuff online than offline. We had the opportunity to sell our things at Bijou Bazaar and I came up with the idea that we should get together and start an e-boutique, and playfully suggested the name The Shoplifters. We weren't putting much hope into it, just fooling around, but the support's been tremendous so far :)
Damask Supreme. Sold.
Camouflage Queen. Sold.
What does the lightning logo mean?
We originally wanted to do something elegant and vintage-like, but decided that it's a bit too boring and opted for the lightning which is more edgy, modern and quirky, something that represents what we had in mind for The Shoplifters.
So what is Neue Fashion Tuesday all about?
It brings in all the latest fashion including accessories. We've thus far brought in maxi dresses, gladiator sandals, cropped jackets and such :) We made it into a weekly event so that our customers know when to expect our updates.
Pure Ava Top in black and white. Sold out.
Where do you usually get your Neue stocks from?
Basically all around KL, we also get our items ordered from
The Silver Symphony bag is an eccentric piece with very spacious compartment on the inside.
So tell me about Vintage Wednesdays. Do you get your vintage stuff from your mama's closet?
Haha, we'd never sell off our mama's precious stuff! We get our stuff from all over
Chiffon dress adorned with mini triangle prints + panthers leaping through them.
Sold. (... to me. While I was editing this. Haha. - Joyce)
Mustard flowers on turqoise background. RM30
Describe DIY Thursdays.
Unlike the Neue Fashion Tuesdays and Vintage Wednesdays which are held every week, DIY Thursdays posted only during special occasions (ie: when I'm not busy!) because everything is personally made by me. :) I've been making mostly accessories, but will start making skirts, dresses, shirt-dresses, and other clothing in the future.
AKANE handmade clutches
What's your price range like?
Our price range is the standard of most e-boutiques, I suppose. We try to sell at a lower price, which is why we originally held the Vintage Wednesday Auction where the bidding price starts at RM10. It's a major bargain if you're lucky, we've even had some customers win marvellous dresses within the RM15-RM30 range. We put a lot of time and effort into picking our collection, so we've recently decided on a fixed (but still affordable) price for our prettier pieces. It looks easy peasy to get our hands on the dresses, but believe me, it's exasperating.
Any nice customers' stories to share?
We've had plenty. But we especially always treasure the nice comments left by our customers on our feedback page. Leaves us feeling all bubbly and gleeful. They've all been very nice, thus far.
Pearly Moss. Sold.
Scarlet Glam. Sold.
Who are your biggest supporters?
Our customers have been supporting us in huge dosages, for us to be doing quite well in such a short time (we've launched only 7 weeks ago!). But we have our invisible Shoplifter Boys, those behind the scenes, who have all been a surprisingly large voluntary help. They help us with all the heavy duty stuff, especially during bazaars and junkyard sales and whatnot. Tough love, that is.
Tell us what we can expect from you girls in the near future.
We plan on going bigger with our DIY Thursdays. We have so manyideas already! But it's a shame, as only one of us can work the needles. As for Vintage Wednesdays; we plan on bringing in more varieties of vintage items; bags, accessories, whatever we can get our hands on. It's a bit tough, as we ourselves collect vintage items so we tend to keep our finds to ourselves sometimes! We're also trying to expand our Neue Fashion Tuesday collection, and not make it as just a shadow of Vintage Wednesday. Also, we're currently discussing with a male friend of ours about bringing in a men's collection soon :)
Hmm, I'm not sure how we settled on the name. The name The Shoplifters was something I just thought of one night, I thought that it was catchy. I didn't want our name to be too obvious or for it to blend in with all the other stores' names. Haha. Tina and Ami agreed and now we're somehow known as Shoplifter Schuhz, Shoplifter Ami and Shoplifter Tina. People have been saying that we sell stolen goods, which is not true! :)
Intrigued to see more of what they have to offer? Pay a visit to the-shoplifters.blogspot.com!
For their leftovers (at cheaper prices!), visit shopliftersleftovers.blogspot.com.
