Fusion of design and performance. A fashion designer talks about the hidden potential of zigkinetica.Vol.02 | feature

Fusion of design and performance. A Fashion Designer Talks about the Hidden Potential of Zigkinetica Vol.02

In order to maximize the performance of athletes, sports brands are applying various technologies to their products. The ZIG KINETICA CONCEPT TYPE 1 released by Reebok is one such product. The ZIG KINETICA CONCEPT TYPE 1 is the successor to the ZIG TECH, which boasted such high performance that it was banned from being worn in certain marathon competitions. The design was created by Ian Paley of Garbstore, who has a close relationship with this brand. We asked fashion designers who have collaborated with Reebok in the past to inspect this new model, which combines performance and stylish design. Joining us this time is Kohei Ohkita of "VINL ARCHIVE".

Photo_Kazumasa Takeuchi [STUH].

Text_Yuichiro Tsuji

Edit_Hiroshi Yamamoto

PROFILE

Kouhei Ohkita

major corporation

Born in Tokyo in 1976. After working in sales, planning, and store direction at select stores, he launched his own brand "VINL ARCHIVE" in 2009, and opened a gallery and concept store, SALT AND PEPPER, in Ebisu-Nishi in 2018. In the same year, he started a collaboration with "Reebok CLASSIC" for the SS season. So far, he has designed for "CLUB C" and "DAYTONA DMX.

Of course, it's obvious, but I thought that the moment I started to rely on information, I would be finished as a fashion designer.

When did you first become interested in sneakers?

Great North:I fell in love with them the most when I was in high school. It was the height of the backwoods boom, when the Beastie Boys were wearing campus shoes. I played basketball, so I wore a variety of bashes, watched the NBA, and even wore Reebok Kamikaze. So I went through a lot of different styles, from bashes, to vulcanized, to high-tech, to even the weird ones.

I have a strong image of you wearing Reebok Classics and low-tech sneakers, but I see that you wear a variety of shoes.

Great North:I started wearing "Reebok Classics" mostly when I started collaborating with them for work. High-tech sneakers require pants. But this brand goes well with our items. I think the "Zigkinetica" would also go well with our pants.

Do you wear leather shoes?

Great North:I only wear them really rarely. I wear sneakers 340 days out of the year. I do a lot of walking and I am rather active.

Do you design your clothes with sneakers in mind, since you wear sneakers so much?

Great North:I am not really conscious of that. When I am creating something, I try not to define what I want people to wear. If I think too much, it is difficult to come up with new ideas, and I may end up being influenced by the trends of the time.

I see.

Great North:I believe that everyone has a sense of the times and the atmosphere of the time, even if they are not consciously aware of it. That is why I design my own brand of clothes while basically shutting out information about fashion that comes from the outside. It is obvious, but I feel that the moment I start to rely on information, I am finished as a fashion designer.