Charles & Keith is a fashion label from Singapore that was founded in 1996. Its founders, Charles Wong and his younger brother Keith Wong, had been learning to run a shoe business at their parents' shop in Ang Mo Kio since 1990. Their first store opened at Amara Shopping Centre. From 1997 they designed their own shoes based on customer feedback, then worked directly with production factories. Today its products include footwear, bags, and accessories, with more than 600 stores in 37 countries. The brand has been in Indonesia since 1998, so many buyers already know its models. That makes it easier for us to compare secondhand items with the official products.
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The story began in 1990. Charles Wong and his younger brother, Keith Wong, worked at their parents' shoe shop in the Ang Mo Kio area of Singapore. The goal was to learn how to run a shoe business before opening a store of their own. Their first store only opened in 1996 at Amara Shopping Centre, which is now called 100 AM.
The two felt the old approach, buying shoes from wholesale suppliers and reselling them, was hard to sustain. So in 1997 they began designing their own shoes, guided by customer feedback. Once the business grew, they cut out the middlemen and worked directly with factories.
Expansion abroad went fairly quickly. In 1998 they entered Indonesia and Australia. The Philippines followed in 2001, then Dubai in 2004 and Saudi Arabia in 2005. In 2004 they also opened an online store, among the earliest in the world for a company of its kind. By 2011 they had more than 230 stores, most of them in Asia and the Middle East.
The range of products widened as well. Pedro, the men's shoe line, was launched in 2005. In 2007 came accessories such as belts and sunglasses, along with higher-end products. For secondhand buyers, this means one brand offers a wide range of models, from shoes to bags and accessories.
Pedro: the men's shoe line that Charles & Keith launched in 2005.
What we check before listing
We look at the stitching first: it should be neat, straight, and free of loose threads at the corners of a bag or on a shoe sole. We check hardware such as zipper pulls, buckles, and chains for scratches, rust, and peeling color coating. On shoes, we check the soles, heels, and the inside, which wear out fastest. We compare the label and logo print with product photos on the official website, as a point of reference and not a guarantee. We also note any smell, stains on the inner lining, and whether the bag still holds its shape upright.
Caring for it
Store bags with paper stuffing to keep their shape, then place them in a breathable cloth bag. Wipe the surface with a soft, slightly damp cloth, and avoid direct sunlight or damp places. Let shoes rest for a day between wears and store them with shoe trees.
FAQ
Where is Charles & Keith from?
From Singapore. The brand was founded in 1996 by two brothers, Charles Wong and Keith Wong, and its head office is in Singapore.
Since when has Charles & Keith been in Indonesia?
Its first store in Indonesia opened in 1998, two years after the brand was founded. That is why its models are fairly well known here.
Does Charles & Keith only sell shoes?
It started with shoes. Over time its products came to include bags and accessories, such as belts and sunglasses from 2007. Pedro, the men's shoe line, arrived in 2005.
How can I be sure a secondhand item is authentic?
No single sign guarantees it. We compare the label, logo, stitching, and hardware with official products on charleskeith.com, then judge the item as a whole. We include detailed photos and the condition of the item so you can judge for yourself.
References
Facts summarised and rewritten from the sources above (CC BY-SA licence).