Local fruits inspire Ho to win

Vinky Ho, 28, said it took her three months to come up with the design and production, which she named as tropical temptations.

"I got my inspiration from our local fruits like durian, mangosteen, watermelon and banana and I used synthethic leather and fish skin to finish the design," the Kuala Lumpur lass said.

Ho was speaking at a press conference on Malaysia's Shoe Design Talents here yesterday, which was attended by Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen.

For her effort, Ho walked away with RMB50,000 (RM25,120) worth of scholarship for emerging the overall champion besides the first prize in the Ladies Boots Category, which carries RMB3,000 prize money for the same entry.

Ho, who beat 300 pairs of entries from 10 countries for the grand prize, added a local celebrity had expressed interest in her design and asked Ho to sell it to her.

Asked on her scholarship plans, Ho said she was still undecided on where she would further her studies.

Besides Ho, Malaysian entries also took the second prize in the Men's Wear category, third prize in Ladies Trendy Wear category and second prize in Ladies Boots category.

Malaysia had entered 20 pairs of shoes in the competition which took place on May 30.

Earlier in her speech, Dr Ng said parents could consider shoe designing as a career for their children besides the traditional professions of medicine and engineering.

She also said that the shoe industry contributed RM1 billion to the country's economy.

"Tourists come to Malaysia to buy shoes that are produced here like Vinci, Sembonia, Bonia, Larry and Lewre," she said.