About this summer's slightly special authentic. | feature

PROFILE

Tetsuro Hori

SURF&TAILOR MOAT

Owner of "Surf & Tailor Mort," a select store in Namba, Osaka, based on the concept of "Surf & Tailor. He is also known as a "Vans" enthusiast. On the store's YouTube channel, he provides instructional videos on various items including "Vans.
@surf_and_tailor_moat
Youtube

PROFILE

Takuya Shimada

Vans Japan PR

The content will cover a wide range of genres, from the brand's background in culture, such as skating and music, to martial arts, including professional wrestling, as well as subcultures such as manga, anime, and idols.

What's the difference from a regular authentic?

Authentic 44 Deck DX
From left,ANCHORS NAVY ¥9,350,WHITEinterpoint (interword separation)RED 8,800 each

HOUYHNHNM: First of all, can you tell us about the Anaheim Factory Collection?

Shimada: This is a collection that reissues details of models that were produced at the Anaheim factory in the U.S. when the company was founded in 1966. Compared to the regular models, the thickness of the canvas is completely different, the way the tape is wrapped is closer to that of those days, and such details are faithfully reproduced.

Hori: From my point of view, the most attractive thing about the Anaheim Factory Collection is that, perhaps because of the different texture of the canvas, as the shoes are worn in, they become more like the American-made "Vans" that I have always seen. I think that's what makes them so different from the normal ones.

Shimada: Another key point is that although the look and feel of the shoes is in keeping with the atmosphere of the time, the comfort has been updated with a highly cushioned insole.

Hori: Many customers in our stores are pleased with the comfort of our shoes. However, the reason I select them is not because of the cushioning, but because I like the way they look.

HOUYHNHNM's: What exactly makes the "Authentic 44 Deck DX" different from the so-called regular "Authentic"?

Shimada: The main difference is the shape and color of the sole, which is a boat sole used for deck shoes. The sole has many thin wavy lines, and it is characterized by good drainage so that it does not slip even on a boat. Vans: Until now, the skateboarding image has been strong, but the "Authentic" model was originally inspired by boat shoes, so this design is a reissue of a remnant from that time.

Hori: As you just said, the "Authentic" has its origins in boat shoes, so it doesn't feel like a gory West Coast street culture shoe compared to other models. With this sole, I feel that it has more of an eastern flavor.

Shimada: The insoles are also different: whereas the regular Anaheim Factory Collection shoes are covered in white leather, this time the insoles are orange. The heel counter of the lining of the shoes is covered with a blue fabric like chambray, and there are other small differences in specifications.

Hori: Another point that impressed me personally was that the laces were delivered tied in a straight horizontal line. Normally, the laces would be in different states of disarray. I thought to myself, "This is very thoughtful" (laughs).

Shimada: I think they decided to use a threading method similar to that of boat shoes. It is a tedious job to ask the factory to thread them in a different way than usual, but they went to the trouble of doing so. I saw them for the first time when they were delivered, and I thought, "They did it right" as well (laughs).

Hori: I usually wear "authentic" shoes without laces, but this time I went to the trouble of making the laces thread this way, so I'm going to wear them as they are.

HOUYHNHNM's: How did you come to wear only "Vans" sneakers in the first place?

Hori: I really started wearing only "Vans" shoes when I was about 30 years old. Around that time, I became aware of the styles of the West and the East (of the U.S.). Basically, I like California and surfing, so I naturally chose "Vans," which symbolizes the West. For the past 10 years or so, I have only worn "Vans" sneakers.

HOUYHNHNM's: Of all the "Vans," you seem to prefer wearing "Authentic," why is that?

Hori: As I mentioned on the "Surf & Tailor Mort" YouTube, "Authentic" is flat and has little volume, so I really like the balance with the hem of the pants. There are "Authentics" that are more skate-inspired, and there are "Authentics" that have an eastern look like this one, and I like the neutrality of the "Authentics" to match any style. Personally, this year I'm in the mood to match them with American and preppy eastern styles.

Shimada: As Mr. Hori mentioned, I think the Authentic is one of Vans' models that can be easily matched with various styles, so I hope young people will wear them more and more.