Case03_Katsura Daichi
Wayser R 2.1, as seen by the store press
PROFILE
He also serves as the PR manager for the Tokyo stores of "Edifice," which offers a selection of classy, high-quality clothing, and Paris Saint-Germain, a Parisian soccer club. In terms of sports-related hobbies, although he does not yet have a specific sport in mind, he has tried camping, golf, and a whole range of other activities, and tennis is most likely to be the one.
Instagram: @daichi_katsura
Shocking change from low to high.
What do you look for when choosing sneakers?
Katsura:First of all, it's simply whether it looks cool or not, and whether I like it or not. In the past, I used to choose only so-called "authentic" items. I still like such shoes, but since I became a press officer, I have been working at a desk and going to photo shoots more often, so I started to look at not only how good they look but also how well they perform. It's not easy to shoot outdoors in authentic low-tech shoes, is it?
So, how did you feel when you put your feet into these high-tech shoes?
Katsura:It was such a shock to me to see how different they were. I tried on high-tech shoes at a time when there was a trend to incorporate voluminous treerunning shoes as a fashion item, and I realized that function is really important. To be honest, low-tech shoes are meant to be worn on the street, so my feet would get sore after wearing them for a long time. But with high-tech shoes, your feet don't get tired, and that leads to better performance at work.
You mentioned incorporating performance shoes such as treeruns into fashion, did you enjoy the fashion aspect of this?
Katsura:I thought it was surprisingly possible, but when I matched thick-soled, voluminous shoes with the slightly clean "Edifice" style, I felt that it was not a dare, but rather just a mismatch. In that sense, the recent performance shoes also go well with today's set-up style.
This fabric is techy, but not quite.
How do you see these shoes from a fashion point of view?
Katsura:It has volume, but the toe is sharp, so I think it blends well with clean clothes like today's. I think that's what's so great about them. I think they are very versatile in terms of design, with a clean fit, which is rare in this type of shoes. If the width of the pants I wear with them is wide, I would just pop them on, but today's pants are tapered, and if there is volume at the opening of the shoes, they would be too loose and look tacky. From this point of view, the silhouette is also suitable for general suit styles. I think they can be worn smartly with any style.
The logo is also designed in a similar color so as not to stand out.
Katsura:Yes, that's right. As is the case with clothing, for example, when wearing a polo shirt to the office for cool biz, if the logo is too strong, even if it is just a one-point logo, it is often a bit too much.... On the other hand, these shoes seem to blend in with a variety of situations.
How do you feel about the material?
Katsura:In general, I think high-tech materials tend to be shiny fabrics. This material, on the other hand, has a slightly matte finish, which is good. It has a sense of luxury and richness that at first glance could be mistaken for leather.
How do you feel about the comfort of the shoes in terms of functionality?
Katsura:I have no complaints about the cushioning of the sole, which is really comfortable to walk on. Also, the line from the toes to the toes is very beautiful. I was told that the lasts of a leather shoe and a sneaker are fused together, which means that the dressiness that I somehow felt is backed up by the leather. I'm glad to hear that (laughs).
Styling that connects the natural and the artificial.
Please tell us about the Descente brand image.
Katsura:I thought the brand had a point of view of collaborating sports and fashion, such as the Descente Ortelaine line and a line featuring famous designers. I felt that the brand had the foresight to collaborate with sports and fashion.
I like the fact that you also value fashion.
Katsura:Some manufacturers specialize only in their technical capabilities, while others specialize in developing functional fabrics and other superior technologies. However, I have the impression that "Descente" skillfully adds design and fashion to its products. I think this is obvious when looking at these shoes.
Please tell us about the clothes you wore today.
Katsura:This is a set-up of a jacket and pants, each of which is sold separately at EDIFICE. I felt the sneakers were somewhat dressy, so I tried to dress them up nicely, feeling an affinity with clean items. Rather than making a half-baked set-up, I wondered what would happen if I matched it with the highest quality fabric from Loro Piana of Italy, which is said to be the best in the world. This was the challenge that led me to this combination. Another example would be to combine a jacket on top with chinos on the bottom.
Loro Piana's fabrics not only look good, but also feel good when you put your sleeves on them?
Katsura:Yes, it does. Of course it depends on the type of fabric, but this is a very thick and supple fabric that drapes beautifully. It is also overwhelmingly comfortable to wear. This fabric is made of natural fibers, whereas the fabric used for DESCENTE's sneakers is synthetic fiber, right? Even though there is a difference between natural and man-made fabrics, I think the result is a styling that allows both to be enjoyed.
Wayser RE 2.1 ¥13,750 (Models worn by Ms. Makino and Mr. Kamatani)
Wayser R 2.1 ¥15,400 (Model worn by Katsura)
