O.T.A. also makes shoes from unwanted tires, and I think there is a link between your activities and those of Shimazu-san.
Shimazu:Tires were originally designed to move over the ground, so they fit the shoes very well. Above all, they have a story, just like cardboard. So I feel a great affinity with them.
What do you like about the shoes?
Shimazu:I don't know if it is because they are made of tires or not, but I feel a sense of comfort when they touch the ground. I don't know if it is because they are tires or not, but they feel comfortable when they touch the ground. The moderate weight makes them easy to walk on, which I find attractive.
What about the design?
Shimazu:. I like the uneven design of the outsole, which reminds me of a tire. In contrast, the upper design has a luxurious feel to it, which I find attractive. I like that kind of product. I often combine different materials in cardboard to make them stand out from each other. These shoes are like that. At a glance, they look simple and elegant, but it is cool that they casually use a tire on the outsole.
The heel has a longitude and latitude indicator, showing the designer Arnaud Barboteau's memories and inspirations. Arnaud himself loves to travel, and the design symbolizes this mindset.
Shimazu:. I also collect cardboard boxes while traveling around the world, so it's similar (laughs). (Laughs.) You mean it varies from model to model?
Yes, that's right. This is the "Gravière" model, named after the sandy beach "Le Gravière" near the coast of the Bay of Biscay, France.
Shimazu:The cardboard is the same way, with the address and so on. I look it up on Google Maps, open up Street View, and say, "What kind of factory is this?" . It's fun to see what kind of factory it is.
You mainly make wallets and card cases, and you also teach how to make them through workshops and books. I think that means the value of your work will diminish, but what are you focusing on now?
Shimazu:Sometimes I hold workshops, and when I hear from the participants, they tell me that they have changed their perspective on cardboard. That means a lot to me. I think the key is that you don't just make something, you can actually use it. Using something you made yourself makes you feel even more attached to it. When you need something, I think it is encouraging to know that there are alternatives to buying something new.
It may be an exaggeration to call it a wake-up call to consumerism, but is that the message you are trying to convey?
Shimazu:. For example, items bought by mail order arrive in cardboard boxes, right? If you don't throw them away but use them for storage, you don't have to buy new shelves or boxes. Like O.T.A., I think it is important to make good use of what we have in the world, and I believe that it enriches our thinking and our lives.
. Making effective use of unneeded things instead of throwing them away and taking good care of things with love and care are all part of sustainable behavior, aren't they?
Shimazu:Yes, it is. I think having attachment is a very precious thing. If you are asked which is better, to use something instantly and be done with it, or to buy something you really love and use it for a long time, the latter is definitely the better choice. When you shop, you are already engaged in social activities, and I think it is better to get something that you love than to buy something that is useless.
Shimazu:O.T.A." is also made of solid materials and of high quality. Moreover, it is good that it is an upcycled item. It is great that they are upcyclable items that will develop a taste as they are worn in, and if that leads to attachment, then there is nothing more to say.
The brand's standard model, named after the sandy beach "Le Gravière" near the coast of the Bay of Biscay, France. The upper is made of Italian leather , and the outsole is made of recycled tires. The shoes are handmade in a workshop in Portugal, and their high quality, which can be recognized at a glance, is one of their charms. The heel is engraved with the coordinates of the location from which the model takes its name, expressing the brand's spirit of adventure.
