— Currently, your focus is on sneakers, but have you also worked on leather shoes and the like?

Originally, that’s what I was better at. I studied everything from know-how to traditional styles at a certain long-established manufacturer in the UK. However, it’s a world where artisans are only recognized after more than 10 years of training, so I feel it would be presumptuous to count that experience.

— Many people probably associate you with TAS. Could you tell us about the circumstances that led you to launch a new brand?

With TAS, the main reason was the gap I felt between what I wanted to do and the surrounding circumstances. I lost control. Even with four phones, they were constantly ringing, and customers would scold us on weekends with inquiries about where and when they could buy the shoes.

— Wasn’t that a case of “happy problems”?

There was that aspect, but my greater concern was becoming too absorbed into the fashion world. The perception of us as a street brand had become fixed, and the dilemma of my intentions not being conveyed was significant. Even now, I wrestle with unanswerable questions like, “What is street? What is mode? What is fashion?” (laughs).

— And that’s when you launched Hyphen Design, correct?

Originally, I wanted to make shoes with a purpose. That stance hasn’t changed since my TAS days; I’ve always wanted to create something like a uniform. So, with Hyphen Design, I design specialized shoes for various fields based on detailed agreements with textile manufacturers. However, when it comes to highly specialized items, it’s very challenging to design them while navigating time constraints, various accidents, and other minor details. Still, just as when I launched TAS, I want to boldly challenge unknown fields and make a breakthrough. Frankly, the shoes needed by people working in hospitals, factories, and markets aren’t stylish.

— So, is the brand “Terrem” considered products for the general market handled by Hyphen Design?

That’s right. I want to create shoes that are lifestyle proposals. I focus on shoes that are useful in daily life, such as shoes for rainy days, or shoes that look like they have laces but are actually slip-ons for easy on and off. Within that, I’m also challenging myself to break conventions. For example, while the condition for rain shoes has always been “not getting wet,” wouldn’t it be interesting to have shoes that do get wet but dry quickly and have antibacterial and insulating properties? I want to try various materials and create something truly meaningful.

— Do you plan to release any standard models in the future?

We will be doing that from now on. We’ve released about 50 models in the past three years, so we want to further refine those products and release standard models for specific purposes with enhanced functionality.

— Have there been any changes since you launched Hyphen Design and started Terrem?

I used to drink almost every day until morning, but I quit decisively, thinking I couldn’t make life-critical shoes that way. So, I don’t really understand the sensibilities of younger people (laughs).

— Finally, do you have a message for our readers?

Our theme is “Terrem Footwear: Introducing Yourself.” In other words, depending on the wearer, they can be work shoes, outdoor shoes, or fashion shoes. We leave it entirely up to the purchaser. I truly hope you enjoy wearing them freely.

I express my feelings about design on my website (http://www.hyphen-design.net/), so please check it out.