Surprisingly, there are many people with a deep "love for Alden." Their unparalleled comfort and timeless look, which suits any style, make them "impossible to quit once you've tried them." And "because they're so easy to pair, you end up wearing them heavily." Furthermore, it's not just men who are captivated by Alden. In the fourth installment of this series, we spoke with two individuals who cherish Alden.

Our first interviewee is Toshihiro Sato, CEO of Table Beat. In the 1970s to '90s, Sato produced the disco "Tsubaki House" and club "GOLD." He currently manages the steamed cuisine restaurant "MUS MUS" and the snack bars "Limelight" and "Dassai Bar" within the Shin-Marunouchi Building, near Tokyo Station. He continues to shape the nightlife scene.

"During the bubble era, European brands, especially Italian ones, were popular. That was the mainstream style, including for me. But even then, Alden was a staple item for stylish people, as I recall. I got my first pair about 20 years ago, after a fashion industry acquaintance recommended them."

Since then, Alden has become a more frequent choice for both work and private life, and he now owns eight to nine pairs in his wardrobe.

"Because I run restaurants, I often visit mountains and fields to check on ingredients. For those occasions, I choose rubber-soled shoes. They don't get caught on uneven paths, and I can wear them without worry on rainy days. I've found that Alden shoes can be worn roughly. This is because the philosophy of 'for working people' is at their core, something you realize as you continue to wear them. Consequently, the proportion of Alden shoes I wear on business trips increases."

Due to their heavy use, Sato never skips regular maintenance.

"Sometimes I have them polished at a specialty shop, and other times I ask shoe shiners I find on the street. The other day, I had a repair done at Lakota House, and I'm very satisfied with the beautiful finish. For me, leather shoes are something to be worn continuously while being maintained, something that becomes an extension of myself. Therefore, shoes that cannot be maintained are not really shoes."

This awareness of what one wears was something he learned from his seniors.

"When I was in my 20s, my seniors told me, 'A man should wear things he can buy on credit, like shoes, shirts, suits, and watches. Then, take care of them and use them for 20 to 30 years.' Now that I'm this age, I understand that one's personality is shaped along with these items. The suits I had made 30 years ago are still in my closet, and the comfort of good fabric molding to my body is exceptional. So, I want people to live a life where they can wear the shoes they bought when they were young even when they're 50 or 60."

Even in the era of fast fashion, he recommends Alden as an ideal item for those who don't want to forget the enjoyment and pleasure derived from a long relationship with things that accompany their lives.

"They cost a little over 100,000 yen, but you can wear them for 20 to 30 years, so the cost performance is excellent. Also, Alden's designs are simple and have a versatility that suits any style. The other day, I saw a young person in streetwear wearing Alden with a T-shirt, and I thought, 'That's great.' When those individuals want to dress up a bit as they get older, Alden will still retain that street vibe. I believe there's something to be learned from a pair of Alden shoes."

"In 2013, there was a talk show about Alden at the event 'Peaceful Journey' held at Marunouchi House. Buyers from Beams, Wild Life Tailor, and United Arrows were all passionately discussing Alden, and that's how I came to know Alden deeply."

This is what Izumi Tamada, General Manager of Marunouchi House, has to say. Marunouchi House is a dining and bar complex on the 7th floor of the Shin-Marunouchi Building. The same floor also has event space, and 'Peaceful Journey' brought together Tokyo's fashion scene. Through music and talks, it disseminates fashion trends from Marunouchi.

For Tamada, who until then favored dressy shoes with high heels, Alden was perceived as a men's brand. Given her size of 23.5 cm, she never imagined there would be a model she could wear. However, three years ago, she managed to acquire the popular Tanker Boots.

"When I put them on, my heel fit snugly, but there was room in the toe box. Actually wearing them, their moderate weight creates a pendulum effect that allows for brisk walking, and they don't cause fatigue even after walking for a long time. Just wearing them makes me feel more upright. Despite their seemingly stiff appearance, they are comfortable to wear—a sensation I had never experienced before."

After acquiring her Alden shoes, Tamada receives various advice from fellow leather shoe lovers. She entrusted them to Taka Chiba, a shoe shiner highly trusted by stylish individuals, for a week. The reason was to allow the leather and oil to meld, making them easier to care for and prolonging their lifespan.

"He was surprised, saying, 'A woman brought in Alden!' (laughs). He also told me, 'You should wear them more.' We tend to want to preserve nice things, but that's not how you should approach Alden."

Good leather demonstrates its true quality the more it is worn. With maintenance, it lasts longer, and you can certainly wear them 10 years from now. Since encountering Alden, Tamada feels that "taking care of good things is sustainable." She envisions a future where she might pass them down to her daughter, but for now, she fully enjoys incorporating them into her own outfits.

"This time, I've paired them with a knit ensemble, but their genderless look allows them to seamlessly blend with everything from long skirts to dresses and jacket styles. However, I believe this is possible because the items themselves are of high quality. Wearing them provides a sense of security and confidence. Perhaps Alden's true strength lies in making you feel that way."