MEDICOM TOY (BE@RBRICK), BAPE®, and Royal Selangor have each collaborated in the past. Now, these three closely connected entities have completed a BE@RBRICK, available in one style and two colorways. Here, we speak with Royal Selangor about this collaboration, alongside their history.

Royal Selangor, a Royal Warrant holder and the world's largest pewter maker, hails from Malaysia. Pewter is a traditional metal with an ancient history. By adding antimony and copper to its main component, tin, its strength is increased, allowing for more intricate decorations, which is why it has been used for art crafts and tableware.
Furthermore, Royal Selangor uses high-purity pewter containing over 93% tin, adhering to strict quality standards. All products are hand-polished by artisans, and their enduring brilliance, spanning over 100 years, is known as The Premium Pewter.

In recent years, Royal Selangor has garnered attention from younger generations with its Pop Culture Collection of character figurines. To commemorate the release of a pewter BE@RBRICK born from a triple collaboration with BAPE® and MEDICOM TOY, we spoke with Chen Tien Yue, an Executive Director of Marketing and a member of the founding family.

—First, could you tell us about Royal Selangor's history and its endeavors so far?

Chen Tien YueRoyal Selangor is a home goods brand that has spanned four generations. The company was founded by my great-grandfather, Yong Koon. He was from Baihou Village in Guangdong Province and moved to Kuala Lumpur with his brothers in 1885. His works at the time were traditional Chinese altar and household items—pewter incense burners, candlesticks, teapots, wine ewers, and so on—distinguished by his touch mark, "玉和足錫" (Yuhua Zuxi), inscribed in Chinese.

In the early 20th century, Yong Koon and his sons began creating European-style products that were in high demand from the British and Westerners. This laid the foundation for the export market that followed. Subsequently, they expanded into manufacturing household items such as drinkware, tableware, barware, and personal accessories.

After Malaysia gained independence, the company focused on modernizing pewter craftsmanship. In the late 1960s, starting with Singapore, they concentrated on expanding their market overseas. Eventually, exports began to Hong Kong, Germany, Denmark, Japan, and Australia. Then, in the mid-1980s, Royal Selangor began exporting to the United Kingdom.

Participation in international gift and tableware trade fairs in the 1970s also propelled their global expansion. Since then, their products have been exhibited at events such as the Frankfurt International Gift Fair, as well as in Birmingham, Toronto, Melbourne, and Sydney.

At that time, we operated under the name "Selangor Pewter." In 1979, the late Sultan of Selangor bestowed the "Royal Warrant" upon Selangor Pewter. Following this royal endorsement, the company name was officially changed to "Royal Selangor" in 1992.

Today, as the world's largest pewter manufacturer, we sell products in over 20 countries, some of which have received international awards. By establishing showrooms and offices in major cities worldwide, we have increased our retail presence abroad. We have directly managed stores in Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and London, and export to over 20 countries. You can find our collections in premier department stores such as David Jones in Australia, John Lewis in the UK, Isetan and Wako in Japan, and Takashimaya in Singapore.

At Royal Selangor, we value timeless design and invest in our design process and artisans. With a history of 138 years, we continue to push the boundaries of pewter design, leveraging our organizational knowledge. Our products, combined with centuries of craftsmanship, are adorned with tradition and design, enhancing any setting.

We offer products across diverse categories, including home décor, personal accessories, tea and coffee ware, drinkware for wine and spirits, and children's gifts. Our products are recognized for their excellent design, craftsmanship, functionality, and durability.

Furthermore, craftsmanship has been passed down continuously since our founding in 1885. While utilizing modern technology, many products are still finished by hand. Loyalty is extremely important in a business built on artisan skills. Many employees have served for 20, 30, and even over 40 years.

—In recent years, you've also expanded into the "collectibles" category with products like figurines of popular characters. Is that correct?

Chen Tien YueOur recent Pop Culture Collections, featuring brands like Marvel, Star Wars, DC, and Disney, have successfully captured the attention of younger customers. They discovered us through their social media feeds and visited our retail stores to explore the activities of our 138-year-old brand. The reason they purchase our limited-edition figurines is the exceptional attention to detail. Some also appreciate that the products carry on a tradition of craftsmanship.

Pop culture merchandise is often small and monochromatic, making it easy to integrate into any interior, whether in a living room or office. People seem to enjoy expressing their personal tastes and childhood memories through contemporary décor that evokes a sense of craftsmanship. These items also serve as conversation starters when entertaining guests.

—Could you introduce some of the most popular titles among these?

Chen Tien YueThe "Star Wars" collection is one of our most popular Pop Culture Collections. Star Wars fans are particular about accuracy, so we invest considerable time to meet their expectations. While items like Obi-Wan Kenobi's lightsaber or the R2-D2 canister are enjoyable to have at home, the centerpiece of this collection is undoubtedly the chess set. It took three years to develop and is the most popular item within our Star Wars designs.

The "Disney Music Carousel" makes a wonderful, memorable gift for people of all ages. It features beloved characters such as Woody, Simba, Disney Princesses, Elsa and Anna from "Frozen," combined with their signature melodies. For the Disney 100th anniversary, we released limited-edition figurines of popular Disney characters.

We have also developed several collections with Warner Bros., including the "Harry Potter" series, which features items like wands and a Hogwarts castle music box.

Additionally, we offer merchandise in collaboration with museums. Drawing inspiration from the history, culture, and art of various eras, we reinterpret historical cultural treasures into fresh, contemporary forms for modern lifestyles.

In 2018, Royal Selangor launched a collaboration collection with the "British Museum," utilizing its vast collection of approximately eight million artifacts. Inspired by the rich artistic heritage of early Europeans, the collection features designs drawn from Iron Age, Anglo-Saxon, Celtic, and Viking cultures. A popular item is the "Warrior" tea caddy, inspired by the helmet from the 7th-century Sutton Hoo ship-burial.

Since 2011, we have also partnered with the National Palace Museum in Taiwan to present the "Imperial" collection. This collection celebrates the beauty of China's artistic heritage. A highlight is the "Imperial Seal Tea Set," which uses calligraphy from a pair of jade imperial seals created during the Qing Dynasty.

—Since your first pewter BE@RBRICK, "BE@RBRICK ROYAL SELANGOR," in 2017, you have released various collaborative BE@RBRICKs with MEDICOM TOY.

Chen Tien YueThe pewter BE@RBRICKs have been extremely well-received, not only by existing BE@RBRICK collectors but also by Royal Selangor's customers. Due to their top-tier popularity with each release, we have had to limit purchases to one per person. BE@RBRICK is a fantastic collaborative platform that connects brands and artists, and we are delighted that collectors appreciate the craftsmanship involved in creating pewter BE@RBRICKs.

Joining us now is the Director of the Brand Business Department at BAPE®, who worked with us on the "BE@RBRICK BAPE® SHARK ROYAL SELANGOR 400%." We asked them about this collaboration.

—How did the collaboration with Royal Selangor begin?

BAPE®On October 31, 2020, BAPE STORE® opened in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. To commemorate this, a collaboration was realized, offering a limited collector's series for BAPE® fans worldwide: 250 "BAPE® x Royal Selangor Beer Tankards" and 500 "The BAPE® x Royal Selangor Sake Sets," sold in Malaysia, Japan, the USA, Hong Kong, and China.
In March 2022, a second release followed, with 250 gold-plated beer tankards and 100 sake sets, each with a serial number engraved, sold in Malaysia, Japan, and the USA. These products, featuring iconic BAPE® motifs with a modern twist on Royal Selangor's classic hand-hammered finish, have been well-supported by many customers both domestically and internationally.

—Under what discussions was the "BE@RBRICK BAPE® SHARK ROYAL SELANGOR 400%" realized?

Chen Tien YueWhile we have previously designed and produced BAPE® sake sets and tankards in pewter, this is our first BE@RBRICK collaboration with BAPE®. We are grateful to MEDICOM TOY for bringing BAPE® and Royal Selangor together again for this project and look forward to the reaction from collectors and the general public.

—Could you tell us about any specific points you focused on during the design and manufacturing process?

Chen Tien YueThis series comes in two designs: the original pewter finish and a gold-plated finish. Both combine the highly popular arabesque motif with BAPE®'s iconic Camo Shark. We are delighted to finally release these BE@RBRICKs, which our artisans have been meticulously crafting since late 2022. While it might not be immediately noticeable from afar, upon closer inspection, you'll find a playful design where the Camo Shark is depicted within the arabesque motif. We anticipate strong interest from BAPE® fans, BE@RBRICK fans, and Royal Selangor fans alike.

BAPE®I was captivated by the exquisite craftsmanship, the pinnacle of artisanal skill. I hope many people can experience the same feeling I did and savor the fusion of traditional history, contemporary art in the form of BE@RBRICK, and street fashion.

—What are your thoughts on the appeal of BE@RBRICK?

Chen Tien YueBE@RBRICK is a quintessential collector's item of our time. Its popularity stems first and foremost from its unique design and exclusivity. The ability to accommodate various designs, artworks, and finishes allows designers to transform a blank canvas into something special, mimic specific characters, or achieve remarkable collaborations. This is why numerous renowned companies, artists, and brands collaborate with BE@RBRICK to present their unique designs.

Another reason for BE@RBRICK's appeal is its rarity. The difficulty in obtaining certain items only increases demand. MEDICOM TOY has succeeded in creating an aura of mystery around its BE@RBRICK releases, making them even more enticing for collectors who constantly anticipate the next creation. This suspense generates excitement and anticipation.

BAPE®The appeal of the bear-shaped block figure, BE@RBRICK, lies in its nature as a blank canvas that can coexist with countless characters, artists, and brands, breathing life into them and transforming them into collectible art pieces.

—If there are opportunities for future collaborations, what kind of initiatives would you like to pursue together?

Chen Tien YueFor instance, perhaps we could incorporate pewter accents into BAPE® apparel products themed around BE@RBRICK?

BAPE®We hope to create products that, filtered through the A BATHING APE® brand, imbue recipients with a sense of wonder and ownership, drawing from Royal Selangor's long history of craftsmanship.

—Could you tell us about any upcoming Royal Selangor products or plans for new stores?

Chen Tien YueTo meet our customers' demands, we are preparing new collections featuring new designs, products, and items. Please look forward to collections based on our strong existing lines like Ace, Woodland, and Phonos, as well as collaborations with franchises such as Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars. In our latest releases, we added "Woody" and "Elsa" to the "Disney 100" collection in May, celebrating Disney's 100th anniversary. Previously, we released limited editions of "Winnie the Pooh," "Tinker Bell," "Mickey Mouse," and "Donald Duck," each produced in a worldwide run of 1,000 units. Regarding store expansion, we plan to open at least seven directly managed stores and shop-in-shops within Malaysia by the end of 2023.

BE@RBRICK BAPE® SHARK ROYAL SELANGOR 400%
Colors | Available in 2 colors: GOLD, SILVER
Size | Each approximately 280mm in total height
Release Date | Now available at 1/6計画, TOKYO-SKYTREE TOWN Solamachi Store, 2G, MEDICOM TOY Online Store, authorized A BATHING APE® retailers, and WEB STORE (Released June 2023)
Price | ¥272,800 (tax included) each
*Photos are of a sample under supervision. Actual product may differ slightly.
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