PROFILE
Eric Forestier.
Born in Lyon, France. After being involved in the management of several brands in the ski equipment and textile industries, he became CEO of Richard Ponvert, which develops "Paraboot" in 2019. He is always conscious of protecting the legacy of the brand, while adding a modern perspective.
An emotional connection that is passed down through time.
Michael" celebrates its 80th anniversary. What do you think is the reason why so many people have loved it for so long?
Eric: MICHAEL" shoes were originally created for people who work outdoors. One of the charms of these shoes is that they can be worn for a long time. This is due to the quality of the leather and the manufacturing process. Sneakers have a short life span, whereas "MICHAEL" can be worn for 10, 20, or 30 years. In a physical sense, they are shoes that will continue to exist beyond time.
I think this is true not only for quality, but also for design.
Eric: Yes, it is. Michael has a very simple and instantly recognizable character. In other words, it has "design magic. I think that is the reason why it continues to transcend trends. It is like Porsche's 911. One look at a 911 and you know it is a Porsche. The basic lines have always been the same. The form has been passed down through the years. The same is true of the "Michael," which has a pure and unchanging beauty. And it can be said that it is a shoe that goes with any style.
I see people in Japan wearing them in various situations.
Eric: Some people wear it with suits, some with shorts, and some fit it with jogging pants and other sporty styles. That is the really amazing part. They fit naturally with any outfit and create a great fit. In France, they also transcend professional boundaries, and are worn by a truly diverse range of people: students, doctors, lawyers, journalists, farmers, wine growers, and so on. They are also shoes that connect all strata of society.
Eric: They should be simple, authentic, repairable, durable, and long-lasting. These values are in demand around the world. And "MICHAEL" embodies all of these values. I believe this is the reason why many people still love our products. Come to think of it, France has a unique tradition. That also has something to do with the popularity of "MICHAEL.
What kind of traditions?
Eric: It is customary to give a pair of high-quality shoes to a child when he or she turns 18, and "MICHAEL" is often chosen as the "first pair". The fact that the shoes can be worn for a long time means that a "bond" is formed between the wearer and the shoes. Shoes walk the path of life together with us. The story is passed down from generation to generation, and many people share the episode of "my grandfather wore these shoes.
So it is passed down from parents to children and from children to grandchildren.
Eric: In fact, six months ago, a pair of shoes that were 50 years old were brought to us. It was a pair of shoes that had been brought to us by a grandson of my late grandfather. He wanted to repair those shoes and wear them himself. In this way, "Mikael" has an emotional connection that is passed down through time. Because they can be worn for a long time, memories and attachments are built up.
Thus, "MICHAEL" has grown into a special pair, and after 80 years of history, it has now become an icon in the world of shoes. Anyone with even the slightest interest in shoes will want to own a pair of "MICHAEL" shoes. It has established itself as an indispensable staple in the wardrobe.
