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Most will agree that this summer, one of the most anticipated sneaker releases in Japan has to be the NIKE DUNK LOW PRO SB “SBTG.” Although he is an internationally recoginized graphic designer, artist and shoe customizer from Singapore, in Japan little is truly known about SBTG's world. Recently, 5th Dimension hooked up Mark Ong AKA SBTG with KICKSNAVI for an exclusive interview. We get the word on SBTG's background, his collaboration with NIKE SB and some inside information on his latest work, including the forthcoming ROYALEFAM clothing line. Check it out!

H		When did you started to collect sneakers?
M		I developed an interest for sneakers at a very young age. But started more intensively around 1996 during the Air Max 95 boom. The obsession stayed with me until now.
H		What first drove you to customize sneakers?
M		After collecting for several years, Nike realized that there was an underground sneaker collecting scene and started coming out with new colorways every other month or so. That over supply didn’t satisfy me anymore. I developed a "dream" colorway of my own. And so I started painting shoes.
H		Your work gained international attention through the Niketalk custom competition a few years back. How did you get involved in this event?
M		After having painted one or two sneakers, I saw the custom competition on Niketalk. It was the first ever custom competition. So I decided to give it a try.
H		One consistent trait of your work is the use of camouflage elements. Why camo? Is there any social/political message behind its use?
M		The love for camou was a subconscious liking that I developed ever since I was exposed to “streetwear” in my early skateboarding days. It is just one of the mediums and textures that I always wanted to be on shoes. I am very particular with camouflage. The scale and proportion has to be very precise on every shoe . The same camou has to be of the right scale on [each] different shoe model.
H		This Dunk SB SBTG is very cool visually and as an overall work of design. It's a model that instantly captured the attention and imagination of the Japanese market. What was the concept and how did you get involved in the project?
M		That was my dream colorway and design [that] I mentioned earlier. And having a manufactured shoe means I have no restrictions in terms of graphics that can be applied to the shoe. The shoe has all the graphics that I''ve developed for Royalefam® throughout the years. It is a Royalefam® sneaker.
H		What's the concept behind the Royalefam brand?
M		Royalefam® is a platoon of the finest soldiers chosen to go for war on the future. Its style is royal, regal militia that is slowly maturing as time goes by.
H		What's the status of Singapore's sneaker scene?
M		Developing and growing. Same as all over the world. New blood is born and slowly losing its original essence.
H		Top 3 sneakers of all time?
M		Vans Sk8 Hi, Nike Air Force 1, Nike Air Jordan 1 1985.
H		What does the immediate future hold for SBTG?
M		The rebirth of www.royalefam.com to stand alone with no unnecessary collaborations.
H		Any specific words for Japanese fans of SBTG?
M		I'm not sure if I have fans. I consider myself just like everyone who loves sneakers and life. Arigato!