Wearing John Lobb Straightens My Posture

— Lastly, I'd like to ask about your personal collection again. When did you purchase your four pairs of John Lobb shoes?

TakahashiI bought them all within two or three years after I first tried them on and loved them. So, there wasn't any particular significance to the timing of the purchases.

MatsudaBut I think those four pairs are your best choices.

TakahashiThank you.

— For men, wearing good shoes can instill a sense of confidence. Has wearing John Lobb changed anything for you?

TakahashiWhile they're not as light as women's shoes, making it impossible to walk around carelessly, wearing John Lobb somehow makes my posture feel more upright. Also, I get to enjoy the sense of superiority that comes from owning such fine shoes, which are not widely known among women.

MatsudaThat's wonderful to hear. You take such good care of them. Do you tend to keep your shoes, not just John Lobb, in good condition?

TakahashiI've loved shoes since long ago, and I keep all of them. To make sure I don't forget which is which, I put photos on the boxes.

MatsudaThat's the best method. How are you feeling about this winter?

TakahashiFor the past few years, I've been in the mood for boots in winter. I like styles that resemble riding boots. And I prefer flat heels. That's because many of them have a beautiful shape, and I find they make my legs look very elegant.

Good Shops Remember Your Name

MatsudaAre you still an avid shopper?

TakahashiActually, I haven't bought much in Japan recently. So, conversely, I'm a bit scared when I do buy.

Editorial DepartmentIs it that there are no shops you want to visit?

TakahashiIt's not that, but I haven't had much time for personal shopping lately due to being busy. However, as I visit various shops for work, I increasingly feel that the retail landscape will become more polarized. One side will be like this John Lobb store, where high-end items are handled through direct customer interaction and trust. Shops where customers think, 'I want to buy from that person at that store.'
The other side will be the convenience store model, where customers take items to the register themselves. Among the former, good shops remember your name even after a long absence. That provides a great sense of security and is truly heartwarming.

MatsudaI want our staff to be like a trusted family doctor. I always tell my employees to keep track of our customers' foot conditions, notice even the slightest changes, and respond appropriately.

TakahashiSome men who love shoes are as knowledgeable as the store staff.

MatsudaIndeed. There seemed to be many such individuals during the high-end men's shoe boom a few years ago. Nowadays, I believe many stylish customers are seeking elegance and quality. Therefore, we consider it paramount to ensure such customers have a pleasant shopping experience. We strive to fully understand each customer's needs.

TakahashiThat's the strength and mission of a directly managed store. I often coordinate outfits for people who love fashion or work in the fashion industry, and when I do, I try to avoid a typical 'clothing store' look. A clothing store could, if they wanted, offer pink pocket squares or earrings. But especially for shops handling refined, high-end items, that can create distance with the customers. So, I aim for conservative and elegant coordination. By the way, what kind of women frequent this store?

MatsudaActually, not many women visit. As I mentioned at the beginning, we don't have many female customers, and even wives accompanying their husbands are rare.

TakahashiReally? Why is that?

MatsudaIt's because the husbands don't want their wives to know they're wearing such expensive shoes (laughs).

—Ah, I see. If their wives found out, they'd probably demand their husbands buy them something costing 400,000 yen too (laughs).

TakahashiThat's because everyone's behavior is a bit off (laughs). Wouldn't women prefer their husbands or partners to look stylish? So, ideally, we'd like women to visit too. Then, perhaps more women might come to appreciate John Lobb and want to wear them like I do.

MatsudaYes, that would be wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing so many insightful stories today.

TakahashiThe pleasure was all mine. It was very enjoyable. Thank you.

Profile
President and CEO
Midori Takahashi

In 1990, Ms. Takahashi was appointed General Manager of the Public Relations Department for Barneys Japan upon its launch in Japan. Subsequently, after serving as Head of Public Relations for Giorgio Armani Japan, she opened Estnation, a large specialty store with a strong focus on the business scene, in 2001. In June 2005, she established Oens. Leveraging her extensive experience and knowledge, she handles branding, PR, and shop production for various brands. She has also garnered attention for her image consulting and styling services for individuals and corporations, a field that was virtually non-existent in Japan until then.

Oens Website
http://oens.net/