In a positive sense, the background culture is fading.
I have the impression that "yellow boots" are hard when I wear them.
Kunii: The insole is equipped with a shock-absorbing "anti-fatigue technology" footbed, which makes them very comfortable to wear. So there is none of the "stiff, painful, and heavy" feeling that comes with boots, and they fit well and are comfortable to wear from the start, just like sneakers.
The insole is equipped with an "anti-fatigue technology" footbed that reduces fatigue and absorbs shock. The "hard, heavy, and painful" image of boots has been dispelled.
How did you feel when you tried on the finished product?
Lower field: In fact, I've been wearing them every day for about 3 weeks already. I can't wait to get them dirty. But they are quite comfortable to wear. However, the suede upper is too high quality to get dirty (laughs). If I don't wear them properly, they don't get dirty.
Kunii: On the contrary, I felt again that the quality of "yellow boots" is wonderful. I have fond memories of how, in the old days, if I went to a club and got stepped on on the floor, the uppers would have dirt on them.
It really seems like it will be many years before we see any real agitation. What did Timberland think of the project when it was completed?
Kunii: Timberland hopes that the collaboration will break the stereotype of "yellow boots," which have strong cultural ties. That's why the finished product was so well received, with customers saying, "These boots are just like Shimono-kun. Now it remains to be seen how users will evaluate them once they go on sale.
Mr. Shimono matched the "Yellow Boots" collaboration with a quilted jacket and pinstripe slacks. This Tokyo street brand's interpretation of the outfit looks novel to those who know the image of "yellow boots" at that time.
Kunii-san wears the "yellow boots" in the 90's hip-hop style of the past, with the denim sole inserted into the boot. The fact that he also skipped one hole in the laces is not to be overlooked.
What were some of the challenges and difficulties in making this collaboration happen?
Kunii: This time, it was very easy for me (laughs). Some projects are more difficult than others, but for this collaboration, Shimono-kun was in charge of design and I was in charge of production. I was in charge of the functionality of the boots, lining, accessories, and other details. This time, the concept was clear, and since it was a boot, there was almost nothing to tweak, so it was really easy for me.
Lower field: Anyway, the suede (better leather) upper was everything. The color of the first sample was just not good enough, but as long as this material was good enough, it was OK, so I was happy to be able to successfully incorporate it into the concept.
Mr. Shimono said to wear it with old denim... how do you think it would look cool with denim?
Kunii: I'm a shoemaker, so I don't know the fashion field. But as I said at the beginning, wearing new "yellow boots" like a status symbol is fine, but I've always thought it was cool when I saw hard workers in real life overseas who go to the field early in the morning with them hanging on their backpacks. I can't really say, because the culture and lifestyle of people overseas is different from ours, but just as it looks cool to see a guy sweeping the street wearing a New York Yankees cap, it looks stylish to see something that was originally made for gear blending in with the city, as in this concept. I want to wear them tough until I can enjoy the aging process.
WHIZ TOKYO" and "mita sneakers" and where else do you plan to develop this collaboration?
Kunii: It will also be available at "With Limited" stores, as well as at directly managed "Timberland" stores.
We saw the international hip-hop scene in the 90s, and the younger generation nowadays wears them well, whether they know that such culture was behind it or not. Mr. Shimono, how do you feel when you see the younger generation wearing "yellow boots"?
Lower field: Girls and others are wearing them, too. Maybe the culture is fading away in a good way, regardless of gender. It's like they don't care about anything. Even people who are not fans of the band are wearing band T's. I feel that the strong image of the subculture that used to exist is fading. I feel that the strong image of the subculture that existed in the past, for better or worse, is fading away. I hope people enjoy "yellow boots" as well as culture like that.
