Footwear: Environment, Not Fashion

“Japanese buildings are made of wood, and people lived on dirt roads. Western buildings are made of stone, and people lived on stone roads. These differences in climate and ways of thinking are directly reflected in footwear,” says Naito.

Although he humbly states, “Our work has always been here, and we don’t recognize our own merits or characteristics ourselves,” the footwear born from Naito’s work is, as he puts it, “closer to architecture than fashion; it’s an environment.”

“Fashion is something that emerges as the world changes. In the past, wearing geta with jeans was considered sloppy, but when it becomes fashion, it becomes a trend, and consequently, a source of enjoyment through consumption. I likened footwear to ‘environment’ because we wear kimonos when the atmosphere created by wearing them is good. What’s particularly important is the material. Depending on the material, we feel the season and unconsciously choose the most suitable option,” he explains.

The All-New Beach Sandal: "JoJo"

At Naitoh’s shop, I discovered a pair of zori made from a new material, unlike any other product. These are the beach sandals “JoJo” (http://www.jojo-manaproject.com/), launched last May.

“When considering how to evolve the wisdom of zori, we thought about creating something new by using new materials with traditional methods. We devised these beach sandals with the hope that they would become a tool for communication. When I explain how they are made, using the same material as a baby bottle nipple, for example, people become very interested. And then I learn from them, too. My perspective has broadened, and I’ve created something interesting.”

The beach sandals are available in four sizes and are actively sold overseas. Naito hopes to sell them in about 20 countries within the next three years. “It’s important that people might think, ‘Maybe I’ll try wearing zori,’ starting with something casual like this,” he says.

Hidetoshi Nakata's John Lobb Bespoke is Finally Complete (1)to be continued