FEATURE｜Ken Kagami and Aimi Odawara propose a new way to play with PUMA's TSUGI NETFIT! PUMA's "TSUGI NETFIT" is "too free" to play with.
Ken Kagami and Aimi Odawara propose! How to play "too" freely with PUMA "TSUGI NETFIT".
Recently published.Click here for the articleNETFIT" is a new fit system for PUMA's sneakers. This revolutionary system allows the wearer to freely thread laces through a mesh of shoe holes to achieve a personalized fit. The "TSUGI NETFIT," which features this system on the sides of the upper, has a new IGNITE foam sole for a comfortable and smooth fit. We handed this model over to contemporary artist Ken Kagami and illustrator and designer Aimi Odawara, who is also well known on the Huinamu blog, and asked them to show us how to tie their original laces using their own free ideas.
Sometimes it's nice to talk to someone from a different generation.
Could you start by telling us how you two met?
KagaemiI met Aimi for the first time about seven years ago. She came to the store right after we opened "Strange Store." We had a mutual acquaintance.
rice field in the charge of a nominal holder (ritsuryo system)He told me there was an interesting person, and he took me to him.
What is your impression of Mr. Kagami?
rice field in the charge of a nominal holder (ritsuryo system)Interesting man. Also, he looks like Tom Hanks. It's a Forrest Gump-ish image.
KagaemiAimi told me that before, too (laughs). But you are a Hollywood star, so it's not so bad.
On the other hand, what is your impression of Mr. Odawara?
KagaemiAimi's illustrations have a gap between what she looks like and what she is. I find that interesting. You like horror movies, don't you, Aimi? You like splatter movies. I used to watch such movies until my child was born, but I'm not very good at them anymore. But I think our basic likes are similar.
What do you talk about when you meet?
KagaemiWhen I look at Aimi's illustrations, I see things like movie stories, so we talk about those kinds of things. But we have never sat down somewhere and talked about each other. I am 43 years old this year, and we are too far apart in age.
I see.
KagaemiBut I think it is good to be able to talk with young people like that. It is good to be able to talk with young people in this way, because it allows me to recognize that there are many different values in the world. We have junior high and high school students at Strange Store, and it is interesting to talk with them. It's interesting to talk with them and make new discoveries.
rice field in the charge of a nominal holder (ritsuryo system)I like talking to the older generation too. Or rather, older people are easier to talk to. Especially when I talk with people of Kagami's generation, I always feel that I can express myself more freely.
The "TSUGI NETFIT" allows laces to be threaded freely through the mesh-shaped shoe holes on the side of the shoe. You can tie the laces in regular widths, or combine narrow and wide spacing. This is a fun way to pursue a personalized fit. The sole is made of Puma's proprietary "Ignite" cushioning material, so there is no need to worry about cushioning. Each color ¥11,000＋TAX（Online Store)
TSUGI NETFIT" by two "too free" people.
Do you two have a passion for sneakers?
rice field in the charge of a nominal holder (ritsuryo system)I usually wear only sneakers, and I like comfortable ones. I sometimes wear heels, but they are tiring.
KagaemiAimi, you wear heels! On a date or something? I really want to see you in sneakers, since you always wear them. I have wide feet and a high instep, so I often fail in choosing the right size. So basically, I always wear the same pair of sneakers. As for what I wear, I always wear T-shirts and jeans, so shoes that make me look like a cleaning person are the best for me.
Have you ever worn PUMA?
rice field in the charge of a nominal holder (ritsuryo system)I don't. However, I feel a strong affinity with the brand name. My brother's name is "Yuma," and it sounds similar to "Puma.
KagaemiThat's interesting (laughs). I used to wear "Clyde" shoes. I remember the Beastie Boys used to wear them, and I admired them. I had them in several different colors.
What was your impression of "TSUGI NETFIT" when you saw it for the first time?
KagaemiWhen I saw the image, I had a strong impression of high-tech, but when I saw the actual product, I thought it was simpler than I had imagined. In a good sense, I thought it looked ordinary and easy to match.
rice field in the charge of a nominal holder (ritsuryo system)They are made of mesh material and the design is very modern. They look very easy to wear.
KagaemiThey are definitely easy to wear, aren't they? Another unique feature is that you can freely arrange how to tie the laces yourself. It is nice to tie them in a simple way, but you may want to add some individuality to them. You might want to play around with different colors of laces.
This time, we asked the two of them to tie their own shoelaces using "NETFIT" freely. First of all, could you explain your work, Mr. Kagami?
KagaemiFathers can wear them, and children can wear them, too. When my daughter was still small, she once walked on my shoes while supporting her hand, and I thought "TSUGI NETFIT" might be able to do that. So I looked up "PUMA" and "children's" on an Internet auction and found these shoes.
The size balance with "TSUGI NETFIT" is exquisite.
KagaemiWouldn't you agree? It was a gamble, because even though it was for a child, the pictures didn't really convey how big it was. But when I received it, it turned out to be a very good size, so it was a miracle. The color is perfect, too (laughs). I think I'd have my picture taken if I got on a train wearing them.
By the way, what would you title it?
KagaemiI think it's a "father-son holiday" (laughs).
rice field in the charge of a nominal holder (ritsuryo system)It's genius, isn't it? We lost. I'm glad I went this far.
Mr. Odawara, your works are tied together with ties, how did you come to this?
rice field in the charge of a nominal holder (ritsuryo system)When they handed it to me and said, "Feel free to do it," I asked, "Does it have to be on a string?" I asked. Then he coldly said, "Please use a string," and I betrayed him.
KagaemiThey say no, but that's great (laughs).
rice field in the charge of a nominal holder (ritsuryo system)I thought the ties were kind of string-like. Besides, it has a high-tech feel to it.
KagaemiIt's certainly fashionable. It's a match. It's a tie, so once it's tightened, you can't loosen it again, right?
rice field in the charge of a nominal holder (ritsuryo system)It's very SM-like that you can't loosen them up. But these sneakers have a stretchy heel, so you can wear them if you force yourself to. I ordered the tying bands from Amazon; they come in packs of 100 for 300 yen.
KagaemiIt would be cool to have it in rasta colors. I think the "TSUGI NETFIT" might be a good match with the cable ties. I feel various possibilities.
What should the title be?
rice field in the charge of a nominal holder (ritsuryo system)Please put on Kagami. It's like anarchy.
KagaemiI'm going to name it? What is the name of the animal in the Puma logo?
Officially, it is called the American bobcat.
KagaemiThen I guess "SM bobcat".
rice field in the charge of a nominal holder (ritsuryo system)Then that's it. Please put "by Ken Kagami" at the end.
KagaemiI'm not sure if this is okay! (Laughter)
Ken Kagami Contemporary artist, born in 1974 in Tokyo. He has participated in numerous art exhibitions both in Japan and abroad, creating drawings, sculptures, and other works. He also runs his own store, "Strange Store," where he sells vintage clothing and goods from various artists.
Aimi Odawara Illustrator and "I&ME" designer. Born in Tokyo. After graduating from high school, studied design at Nippon Designer Gakuin. While in school, she won the grand prize in an advertising design contest. In 2014, she established her own brand "I&ME" and is currently working as both an illustrator and designer. Currently, she works as both an illustrator and designer.
Puma Customer Service Phone: 0120-125-150 www.puma.com
