GIVEAWAY: Grey By Ortenhill, Shoes For The Tenacious Folks
What do your shoes mean to you?
Ask an athlete, they will tell you about how shoes are ergonomically designed to ensure maximum comfort and to protect the feet. Ask a sneakerhead, they might tell you about how each shoe is designed for the sole purpose of aesthetics, and something as simple as a shoe can also be a status symbol - with each fetching a price tag of monetarily hundreds or even thousands.
We had the opportunity to meet with Renee & Trisno, the founders of Grey By Ortenhill, as they shared more about what their shoes mean to them, the effort and story behind each creation, their relationship with their Japanese manufacturer, and as well as some of their most popular products!
At Grey by Ortenhill, it is more than just footwear. It represents a personal statement, an individual choice, and most importantly a platform for each person’s unique expression. Grey by Ortenhill products are designed in Singapore but manufactured in Japan, which explains the intricate details they pay attention to!
Make sure to stay till the end for some exciting giveaways!
The story behind the brand name - Grey by Ortenhill
Renee & Trisno
Renee and Trisno, along with a few other partners are the founders of Grey by Ortenhill. They specialize in making quality leather products of all sorts - from sandals to bags and clutches. Grey by Ortenhill works closely with a Japanese manufacturer in Osaka with who they maintained a very close relationship, beyond just partners.
Grey by Ortenhill is actually a portmanteau!
‘Or’ represents ordinary, ‘Ten’ represents tenacity, and ‘Hill’ represents the act of moving upwards! You can say that their products are for tenacious ordinary folks with the mettle and tenacity to rise up to challenges time and again!
The inspiration behind each designs
Source: Grey By Ortenhill
Designs are launched twice a year, but revolving around Renee and Trisno’s standing belief - something simple, unisex, and easy to wear. All sandals in Grey by Ortenhill can be worn in two ways! You can either slip on the sandals or have the sandal strap fitted behind your ankle.
Their designs are also all about inclusiveness and sustainability. They were the first in the game to have rubber tires at the bottom of their sandals. They also chose to use cow, buffalo and sheep leather as they want to be sensitive to the religious beliefs of their large Muslim audience. With sizes running from 34 to 44, there’s definitely a pair here for everyone!
Irina Mules & Yuri Slides
Source: Grey By Ortenhill
We also noticed that some of the designs in Grey by Ortenhill are very similar to the shoes worn by the Japanese. We later learned that Grey by Ortenhill has recently collaborated with a local brand, Adrianna Yariqa. They specialize in traditional clothing but are now diversifying into casual everyday wear. Adrianna Yariqa also has kimono-style clothing which appeals to many customers!
For the collaboration, they came up with a shoe design that was heavily inspired by Japanese mules! Their shoes have seen runways such as Dubai Modest Fashion Week, Singapore Fashion Week, and Gaya Koleksi Raya!
The founding of Grey+
Source: Trisno Ishak’s Instagram
Source: Greyplus.store
Source: Grey By Ortenhill
Trisno also mentioned that he realized the importance of diversifying their business when the Covid pandemic hits. They wanted to venture out into something different to stay relevant, which led them to launch Grey+, a necessities brand by Grey by Ortenhill, that provides go-to destination for sandals, bags and visors while introducing essential lifestyle accessories.
The backbone of Grey by Ortenhill
Renee, Trisno & Hiro-san
Renee and Trisno met their Japanese manufacturer, Hiro san, whom they have worked with for over 10 years, at a trade fair in Osaka. There were around 5,000 manufacturers present at the trade fair, and Hiro-san really resonated with them.
Kelly (White Lace)
Source: Grey By Ortenhill
One thing Renee and Trisno really love and appreciate about Hiro san is how meticulous he always is. There was once when Grey by Ortenhill wanted to come up with a lace design, Hiro-san even went to the extent of hand cutting the patterns on the shoe!
Hiro-san & Trisno
Hiro san also doesn’t scrimp on the quality of his products. He is extremely sincere and honorable. Grey by Ortenhill has been working with Hiro san and his family for the past 10 years, and they have no intentions to stop. Their relationship has also surpassed the level of just business partners - Trisno used to fly over to Japan so often to catch up with Hiro san, but now because of Covid, he is unable to do so.
The Best Sellers
Introducing the most popular products in Grey by Ortenhill - the cross and classic sandals! It’s versatile, comfortable, and adds an element of style to any outfit!
8 Jalan Pisang
Brick & motar store at Orchard Gateway
Head down to Grey by Ortenhill store at 8 Jalan Pisang, or their brick and mortar store at Orchard Gateway, to try out these comfortable and versatile pieces!
Grey by Ortenhill - Outlet store
Address: 8 Jalan Pisang, 199075
Opening Hours:
Tuesday - Sunday : 12.00pm to 6pm
Grey By Ortenhill - Brick & mortar store
Address: 277 Orchard Road #04-15 Orchard Gateway, Singapore 238858
Opening Hours:
Monday - Saturday : 1.30pm to 8.00pm
Sunday : 4.00pm to 8.00pm
Contact Number: 6235 0968
Website & Social media:
EXCLUSIVE NANI GIVEAWAY!
Source: Grey By Ortenhill
Source: Grey By Ortenhill
From now till 31st August 2359, in collaboration with Grey By Ortenhill, we giving away $20 vouchers to 10 lucky winners, and 2 visors (worth $49.90) from the Grey+ collection! Click on our Instagram post below to check out how to participate!
Winners will be picked and announced via DM on 1st September! Best of luck!
*Note that selected winners for the vouchers and visors will have to pick their prizes at Grey by Ortenhill, 8 Jalan Pisang, store!
