CASE 01 With a mix of suede and gum sole, classy and casual coexist skillfully.
PROFILE
. Born in Hyogo Prefecture. He is one of the signature press members of "BEAMS," and his street style is absolutely perfect. His hobby of dancing has led to a collaboration between "BEAMS" and "KOSE8ROCKS," a breakin' team from the D-League (a professional dance league from Japan), in October of this year. He produced the team wear and participated in the project as a designer and director.
Instagram: @Takuya_hata
Q. What is your impression of Puma?
Qin:There are various images of Puma. The athletes who have broken records in track and field have all worn Puma's clothing and shoes, making it a brand that has left records in its wake. On the other hand, PUMA is also strongly connected with music and dance culture, making it a brand with a wide range of possibilities.
You mentioned during the shoot that "PUMA SUEDE" was the shoe you were buying the most.
Qin:I started wearing "PUMA SUEDE" after I started dancing. I started dancing after entering university, but I was not satisfied with just dancing in clubs, so I started going to dance schools as well. PUMA SUEDE" has a history of being loved by old school dancers such as B-BOYs, and all the dancers I admired were wearing them. As is typical of dancers, there is a custom to incorporate not only the dancer's dance but also fashion, and sneakers are a symbolic item of this custom. So I started wearing "PUMA SUEDE" and as I researched the roots, I became more and more fascinated with them.
Poof, it's cool, it has a rich history , and it's easy to use. It really is an item that has it all. No matter how cool they are, if they are not comfortable, you will probably have fewer and fewer chances to wear them, but the more you wear "PUMA SUEDE," the more the suede material becomes familiar to your feet. . They are lightweight, and the outsole has excellent grip, so they really fit me well.
How many pairs of shoes have you bought so far?
Qin:More times than I can count (laughs). I wore them every day in practice and also in town, so I was just overworking them (laughs).
SUEDE CLASSIC+"
. Today, I asked him to bring his personal "PUMA SUEDE" as well.
Qin:They have been worn in quite a bit and the color of the suede is just about faded. The laces that came with the shoes were fat laces, so I put them through those. Once upon a time, that was the fashion, and everyone was changing to fat laces.
It gives a unique sense of volume.
Qin:The silhouette is inherently sleek, but it's interesting how changing the laces can change the look so much.
What kind of shoes are you in the mood for these days?
Qin:I've always been a low tech guy. High-tech has its season, and when that season passes, it becomes a little difficult to wear. But low tech never goes out of style, and its basic design makes it easy to match with any outfit. And if a pair has a long history, you can talk about it and tell people why you like wearing it, such as "I like it because of this story.
. Looking at your Instagram, I get the impression that you wear suede sneakers more often than canvas ones.
Qin:. If you ask me, you may be right. Suede looks high quality and gives the item a much better appearance. Moreover, it is more durable than canvas. . Perhaps that is why I subconsciously choose suede.
How did you like the "PUMA SUEDE GUM" that you wore this time?
Qin:It's so nice. I love the suede material , of course, but I also love the gum sole. The coloring is also a doozy, and there's just nothing to say about it.
A: They look somewhat like leather shoes, don't they?
Qin:Yes, it is. It looks more elegant. Surprisingly, this combination has never been seen before, has it? . When the upper is black, you end up with a white sole or all-black. . The combination with the gum sole is a good balance of elegance and casualness.
What did you keep in mind when coordinating?
Qin:. To match the black upper, I decided to coordinate them with black as the base color. But I also wanted to make the most of the gum sole, so I paired it with brown check pants from "SSZ" as well.
What are your expectations for "PUMA" in the future?
Qin:I would like you to keep the basics as they are. I want you to keep the foundation of the brand that you have built up to this point unchanged. The core of a brand is what sticks in people's minds the most. The things that I myself like are those that have a solid background. I don't think I have to say this (laughs), but as a fan, I hope so. I hope to continue to use PUMA shoes in the future.
