FEATURE| Lucas B.B., Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, PAPERSKY People footwear is a sandal sweatshirt.
Lucas B.B., Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, PAPERSKY
People footwear is a sandal sweatshirt.
One step off Meiji-dori and you find yourself in a nostalgic residential area that one would not expect to find in Shibuya. Among the houses, one of the oldest is the office and home of Lucas B.B., publisher and editor-in-chief of "PAPERSKY," a travel and lifestyle magazine. Lucas, who spends a third of the year traveling, talks about why he lives in Japan, what he wants to convey as editor-in-chief, and his specialties in preparing for travel.
I was surprised at the 8:30 a.m. appointment (laughs).
Lucas.It's been a tough time for all of you , hasn't it? I am sorry. This job tends to make me a night owl, doesn't it? I'm old and my body can't handle it, so I try to work early and go to bed by midnight. My staff arrives at 9:00 p.m.
As soon as I wake up, I take a walk with my wife. We walk to Arisugawa Park in Hiroo. It takes about an hour there and back. After work, I go to the public bath to work up a sweat.
Sento (public bathhouse) is a very serious thing. And you still walk.
Lucas.It's almost a disease now (laughs).
I hear that you travel four months out of the year.
Lucas.. I will be taking an overnight bus after this today, and will be on the road for three days of interviews starting tomorrow. I intend to take my time walking around Yamagata.
This question goes back to the concept of the magazine, but why are you attracted to traveling and walking?
Lucas.If coming to Japan the day after graduating from college was a trip, then taking a walk every morning is also a trip. Travel is my life itself. Traveling and getting in touch with the culture of a city is a much healthier way to stay fit than the latest wellness fad.
My interest in Japan began with clothes, but my travels have made me fall in love with all kinds of things. Food, nature, people .
I heard that he had a yearning for Issey Miyake and Comme des Garcons, but now there is no sign of them (laughs).
Lucas.. travel is the center of our lives. The less travel preparation I have to do, the better, so it is important to have versatility to respond to any occasion. I have worn out many pairs of black denim that don't show dirt and can be used in town. . We are currently developing a denim with a waterproof finish. We are planning to sell them through the "PAPERSKY STORE," which we started a while ago. It is a site that deals with original products. There is no other lineup based on the concept of travel, is there? We have actually traveled, and we thought we could make something good.
The company that requested the black denim is Deeper's Wear. It is a Japanese brand with the concept of "Life Spec Wear. The ones I'm wearing today are also from there.
One of the catchiest pairs of flip flops is this pair of "flip flops.THE LENNON SLIDE." The strap print reads "People" only when both pairs are worn together. The proprietary Skylite™ EVA sole is ultra-lightweight, shock-absorbent, and grippy. The slit insole contributes to improved breathability and slip resistance. ¥5,500 + tax
I understand that you often wear sandals when you travel.
Lucas.Sandals free my tired feet. I've always worn "Hawaiianas" sandals, but recently I found a pair in Taiwan called "Toilet Sandals. I can wear them with socks.
How about "People Footwear"?
Lucas.. I was surprised at how lightweight they are. They feel soft and comfortable. I've worn a lot of sandals, but I've never experienced such a feeling. It just hit me. People Footwear" is the sweatshirt of sandals. . simple and chic. . Among the many EVA shoes, I think this is a pair that adults can wear.
And, you know, the designer probably likes John Lennon, given the name of this model. I like that kind of playfulness.
I heard that you started wearing sandals after you came to Japan.
Lucas.Like public baths, Americans are not very familiar with them. . but in hot and humid Japan, they are indispensable. It makes sense to use items that were born in the region where you live. I have already lived in Japan for half of my life, and now I am comfortable wearing sandals and going naked with others.
The neoprene and nylon webbing belts hold your feet firmly in place.THE LENNON CHILLER." . Neoprene with perforations for breathability. Stripe-patterned belt adds a subtle accent to the sole, which is made of Skylite™ EVA. Lucas' favorite. ¥7,800+tax
. The streets of olden times come to life.
. Recently, we have been actively setting up events.
Lucas.I thought about how to survive in the tough magazine industry . The clue was the cooks. They can see the reaction of their customers on the spot when they cook. I was envious. I wondered what would happen if this were translated into a magazine. . So I decided to create an opportunity for people to experience the magazine in its entirety. It has been six years since we launched the Tour de Nippon, a bicycle tour of various regions. You have already visited 20 places. The next one is scheduled for Akita in September and Hamamatsu in March, so please join us.
Lucas is always on the lookout for something new, and he's fast. The things he introduces in the magazine are full of surprises. I had no idea there was a pilgrimage on Shodoshima. I heard that Kukai also practiced there.
Lucas.. I think it is because I am doing what is natural for an editor to do, which is to earn by foot and meet with people. . I found myself conquering all the prefectures.
These sandals are based on the motif of "geta," a type of footwear said to have been invented by Sen no Rikyu, and are also known asTHE YOKO." Apparently, the designer, as Lucas surmised, is an admirer of John Lennon. The thick, wide EVA sole is comfortable for long walks. The khaki color here is a Japan-only color. ¥3,800+tax
. actively features the old street.
Lucas.His wife's family lives in Yaizu. . I found out that the old highway runs nearby. I thought there might be many things to discover, so I invited her to join me, but she immediately rejected the idea. It took me several years to persuade her (laughs). It took me six days to complete the 200-kilometer walk from Tokyo. It was interesting. As we walked, the streets of olden times came to life. However, walking continuously on asphalt was more damaging to my feet than I had imagined. Blisters formed, nails peeled off, and I began to think about shoes a lot. His wife, who wasn't into it, was more energetic (laughs).
What are you wearing on the road?
Lucas.I have a lot of "Columbia Montrail" in my collection. They are very good products, but I have no complaints. Unlike trail runners who can reach the finish line on the same day, we have to wear the same shoes for days. . There are a lot of specs we want, such as waterproofness. Please make them from "People Footwear" (laughs).
Clad in stretch mesh with excellent breathability and elasticityTHE AQUA LENNON." is truly an amphibious pair. Its trademarked Velcro USA velcro (hook and loop fastener) provides an exceptional fit. The multi-colored color scheme is sure to be a hit at the beach or river this coming season. ¥8,800 + TAX
Lucas Badeki Balko Born in Baltimore, USA, in 1971 . Graduated from the University of California, he founded Kneehigh Media Japan in 1996 and launched the magazine TOKION . In 2002, he launched PAPERSKY, and also runs the PAPERSKY club, which aims to interact with readers, and the PAPERSKY STORE, which carries original brands.www.papersky.jp
