Ryo Takashima and MERRELL 1TRL.
PROFILE
Born in 1992 in Shizuoka , Japan. After gaining charismatic popularity as a staff member of a select store, he became independent. Currently, he is the director of his own brand, "CLESSTE," and also supervises the concept store "+81" and other fashion brands. . Hobbies include photography and visiting art museums.
Instagram:@ryo__takashima
. I understand that you already own a pair of "MERRELL 1TRL".
Takashima:Yes, I am. Last year I bought a model called "HYDRO MOC AT".
What is your impression of "MERREL" to begin with?
Takashima: I have a strong impression of "WILDERNESS" boots. It also has the image of being for outdoor use. However, I don't do much outdoor activities and don't go to festivals, so I haven't had that many opportunities to touch them.
So what made you decide to buy the HYDRO MOC AT?
Takashima: I check out a lot of foreign Instagram accounts, and about 2 years ago, those people started uploading "MERRELL 1TRL". I saw that and thought it was cool.
What specifically attracted you to the company?
Takashima: I thought the unique oval design was modern, functional, and interesting. They are comfortable to wear, of course, and the look is unique, as if they are a hybrid of sandals and sneakers. It's a design that doesn't seem to exist.
. What kind of occasions do you wear them?
Takashima: They are good for all occasions. They are easy to match with my fashion, and I don't get tired of wearing them, so they are good for walking long distances. I wore them last year when I went camping. I like the fact that I can wash them even if they get dirty, so I can wear them without hesitation.
Do you see any models that caught your attention as you walked around the store?
Takashima: . I have two pairs of "HYDRO MOC AT CAGE" and "HYDRO MULE". I think he likes the "HYDRO MOC" series after all (laughs).
. Today, we asked you to coordinate your outfit with it. You wore the "HYDRO MOC AT CAGE" with an Arc'teryx jacket.
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Takashima: Lately, I've been doing a lot of outdoor mixing. . I always include some techie elements somewhere in my coordination. By the way, the pants are from a London brand called "Sage Nation. They have a very thick silhouette and compact hems, so it's easy to show off my shoes.
Ms. Takashima, you have a strong image of beautiful set-ups.
Takashima: That used to be the case in the past, but since about a year ago, the outdoor style of dressing has become more common, partly due to the trend.
Can you give us some pointers on how to coordinate?
Takashima: The "HYDRO MOC AT CAGE" model is characterized by holes in the upper that were drilled to allow water to drain efficiently. We want to take advantage of that design, so we want to show off the socks first.
Today I was wearing white socks.
Takashima: Since the shoes themselves are all black , patterned socks would be interesting. In this case, I'm wearing them with wide cotton pants, but I think they would go great with, for example, nylon pants that can be hemmed.
You also chose "HYDRO MULE" , what attracted you to it?
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Takashima: Anyway, it's so light. You'll be surprised how light they feel through your feet. They are mule-type, so they are easy to put on and take off, and the design is cute.
HYDRO MULE is an easy-care model, with a special sole that prevents wear and tear.
Takashima: Lightweight shoes like these may seem a bit unassuming, but they are really solid in terms of comfort and feel when walking. They have cushioning and a comfortable fit. They could be used as a second pair of shoes for travel.
. What is the point of this coordination?
Takashima: I paired a jacket from "Daiwa Pier 39" with pants and a shirt from my own brand, "Crest. . As can be said for both outfits, I try to pick up the color of the shoes with either the top or the innerwear.
You've seen a lot of things, but what do you find attractive about the "MERRELL 1TRL" again?
Takashima: . where the design is unique. Just by looking at it, you can tell that it is a MERRELL 1TRL. I am a visual person, after all. However, if the result is functional, I am very happy. I think "MERRELL 1TRL" is such a shoe.
