SOCIAL-ism EPISODE 05: SAM GOOD PAIRS

SAM, ONE OF THE FOUNDERS OF GOODPAIR SOCKS IS A TRUE HOMEGROWN TALENT. THIS CREATIVE INDIVIDUAL TAKES A CERTAINLY UNDER-RATED PIECE OF GARMENT AND TURN THEM INTO FUN, QUIRKY AND MOST IMPORTANTLY COMFORTABLE MASTERPIECE. WE SIT DOWN AND HAVE A CHAT WITH THE WOMAN WHO WAS ALSO RESPONSIBLE IN PRODUCING YOUR FAVORITE CROSSOVER SOCKS.

1.Can you share with us about you & what you do for a living?

I am co-founder of Goodpair socks. Me and my husband/business partner run this socks design studio since 2014. We design our own socks and also customizing socks for brands. Basically we design and sell socks for living. 

2.We understand that you've been in the fashion industry for many years, with experience in other apparel pieces. However, it seems that you have a deep fascination in socks. Can you tell us what attracts you to socks? 

Personally I like observe people’s personality from what they wearing. Socks is somehow the item kind of hidden, but still show off intentionally or accidentally. Just my personal guilty pleasure. From my point of view, rocking a good pair of socks has no different from any other apparel pieces, it’s part of self-expression. We all attract to item that designer spend effort and thought to make best of it. 

3. If shoes represent someone's personality, then what can you say about socks?

If shoes or other apparel that is more visible to others, I feel like those are what we try show the world who we are. For item like socks, or under garment, Is more likely how well a person treating themselves, I would say it’s like a self-love or self-confidence item.

4. Goodpair socks is more known for its vibrant colours & quirkiness. Does this represent who you are as an individual?

My practice of design, it always come in colours and form in mind when ideas strike. For previous Goodpair Socks collection, vibrant colours or quirky form just fit well to the subject.

In contrast, I dress up very minimal in daily life, the main colour palette in my wardrobe are black, white, nude color, most of them are none printed or pattern outfit. the only colorful things in my wardrobe are my socks.

5. How do you remain professional in your work and business, considering that you work with your spouse?

Good question. We need to schedule time and proportion our life since our work space also our home, and my husband also my co-work partner:
Other than scheduled work and discussion time, the remain time is either “me time” or “us time”, we will try to no bring in job conversation after works hours. We also have some mutual understanding when come to company decision.

1. No judgement for each other idea, listen with a open mind.
2. Believe in partner decision is putting company benefit in first priority than personal interest

6. Since mid of last year, you've been sharing a lot of workout routine on your IG. How do you remain motivated & dedicated for so long?

I was born far away from a talented athlete. I was not a sport kid back in school, in most chances, I was the one sitting on the side bench at padang, enjoy my red bean potong, watch people play basketball. I have very low self-esteem when come to sport, I always think sport are for people born to be athlete, I have not strength, or not fit enough for sport kind of mindset. And my workout journey begin with a commitment to myself. 

The first and the only thing I told myself was :

“I know it’s not going to be easy, and you are here to be stronger, not to give up.” By practicing day by day, I am surprise by my own body can do what I couldn’t yesterday. It felt so satisfying, I felt energetic and clear of mind after every workout session. Come to certain extend, I feel like I am addicted to feel stronger, and explore the possibility what my body can do through practice day by day, and now workout have become part of my lifestyle. 

From the beginning, I was asking for a stronger body, but it end up not only strengthen my body, but also my mind. Instead of telling you what motivated me to work out, I would said workout had motivate and inspirited me to keep on rolling.

7. What music do you usually listen to when you work out?

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7s2dVU2jKq2nB2mISx9J5E?si=zTTQVpXjS22Pyv6bFAfdUg&nd=1

8. Looking back on your journey so far and where you are now, are you enjoying this phase of your life?

I am pretty sure what I want since I was young, I believe my parents play an important role for this, they never force me to do anything I don’t like, so most of the time I get to make my own decision. 

Throughout my journey, I might made some bad decision, but by looking back it somehow lead me here and shape who I’m today. So I have no regret for it, because I know is not the end of the world if that’s tomorrow.

9. We know that you've travelled a lot. What book would you consider as a good travelling companion?

’m not a book person, most of the book I read is cookbook. My favourite will be [ SALT FAT ACID HEAT ] by Samin Nosrat.

On travel, I carry good movie to kill waiting time. I recommend one of my favourite [ Greenbook ] Direct by Peter Farrelly. I think this movie make a good travel companion.

10. Lastly, any particular quote that you live by?

To be is to do - Immanuel Kant

Interview: Jem | Translation: Khalisa Johari | Photography: Sam@GoodPairs | Graphic: Vincent Tan
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