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FEATURE| Six sandal styles awaiting Beatnik.

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RESURRECTION of BEATNIK

Six sandal styles awaiting the beatniks.

Those familiar with the street fashion of the 1990s will naturally feel nostalgic. The Beatnik is a timeless classic created by Reebok CLASSIC and a pioneer of the comfort sandal. The Beatnik attracted many fans with its innovative and original design, including the center seam upper, shark sole, and adjustable Velcro strap. In this issue, six experts look back on their impressions of the long-awaited reissue of the "Beatnik," and discuss how they would wear them today.

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Director, BEAMS Men's Casual

Shinsuke Nakatathree

Mr. Nakata says, "I'm sure the design will resonate with today's young people. In fact, he has even planned a reissue of the "Beatnik" for Reebok in the past. Today, I chose gray for my black festival style.

First of all, what was your impression of "beatnik" in the 90s?

This model was in its heyday when I was a college student, and fashionable people often wore them around town. I have a strong impression that they were worn especially by people who liked the outdoors. However, I would say that it was more of a fashionable outdoor style rather than an orthodox outdoor style.

How do you feel about this long-awaited reissue, once again?

From that time, I thought the appearance was novel. I thought it looked somewhat insect-like (laughs). (Laughs.) I am sure that young people would find it fresh, and people of my generation, around 40 years old, would find the design nostalgic. Actually, we at BEAMS had proposed to Reebok several years ago that they reissue the "Beatnik. Unfortunately, the proposal was not approved at the time, but as a fan of the brand, I am happy to see it reissued at this time.

What are your impressions of the actual "Beatnik" shoes?

I have the impression that the suede part of the upper is softer than in the past. I don't have to tell you how comfortable they are to wear, or how easy they are to use, such as the velocro part.

If you were to wear them, what kind of outfits would you match them with?

Comfort sandals continue to be a trend this year, so the timing is just right. Beatnik" can also be expected to be styled in a variety of ways. I would like to match them with thick ribbed socks, which are a favorite of BEAMS.

1_hynm_beatnik_item

BEATNIK
GRAY ¥15,000+TAX

BEAMS Harajuku
03-3470-3947
www.beams.co.jp

Reebok adidas Group Customer Service
0570-033-033
reebok.com

BEAMS Men's Casual Press

Taishi Maedathree

Beatnik is stylish but also tough," says Maeda. It blends easily with the urban outdoor style of pastel-colored anoraks and hunting vests paired with gray slacks.

Did Mr. Maeda ever actually wear "Beatnik"?

I was in junior high school during the first "beatnik" boom, so I looked at magazines such as "Boon" with admiration. It wasn't until I joined "BEAMS" that I actually started wearing them. I had several pairs, and they are a pair that I am personally familiar with.

What kind of people do you imagine were wearing them at that time?

I have an image of sophisticated people in Tokyo wearing them. Like the well-dressed staff working in select stores, or the older brothers who love the outdoors. I also think they were well versed in music culture.

How do you feel about wearing "beatnik" after a long time?

They are crazy easy to wear. The fit is totally different than typical comfort sandals, as the upper and ankle portion can be adjusted more flexibly. I think this is a pair you can wear without stress.

What would you wear it with now?

In the past, many people used to match climbing pants with outdoor brand half-zip pullovers, but nowadays you can add a more urban element or a mix of outdoor and street approach.

2_hynm_beatnik_item

BEATNIK
BLACK ¥15,000+TAX

BEAMS Harajuku
03-3470-3947
www.beams.co.jp

Reebok adidas Group Customer Service
0570-033-033
reebok.com

BEAUTY&YOUTH UNITED ARROWS Men's Buyer

Katsuya Aoyathree

Aoya recalls, "I think everyone of my generation who loves clothes and the generation above that goes there. Back then, they were worn with casual styles, but today they are worn on the feet with a clean, shirt-based style.

First of all, please tell us about your feelings about "Beatnik".

It was my favorite model, so I wore them frequently. Even after they were discontinued, I kept asking the person in charge at Reebok to please make them again (laughs). (Laughs) About 10 years later, the reissue finally came to fruition, so it was like my wish had come true.

What style did you match at the time?

I think the main style was an outdoorsy style of dressing. I was still in Osaka at the time, and such outfits were the mainstream in the area. I often combined it with old clothes.

Did you have any particular requirements for wearing "beatniks"?

Matching with socks was important. It was hip to match them with thick fleece socks, so that combination was ironclad.

If you were to wear them again now, how would you match them with your outfits?

I think they can be worn not only on the street, but also outdoors, with a sports style, or with a traditional shirt-based outfit like today's. Comfort sandals are currently in the spotlight, and I think they are highly versatile. Comfort sandals are currently in the spotlight, and I think they are highly versatile.

3_hynm_beatnik_item

BEATNIK
GRAY ¥15,000+TAX

Beauty & Youth United Arrows Shibuya Koen-dori Store
03-5428-1893
store.united-arrows.co.jp

Reebok adidas Group Customer Service
0570-033-033
reebok.com

BEAUTY&YOUTH UNITED ARROWS Men's Press

Kotaro Nakajimathree

Nowadays, the combination of sandals and socks is widely accepted, but I think beatnik was the first of its kind," said Nakajima. Of course, socks were worn on this day as well. The comfort of the socks is said to be outstanding.

Have you ever worn "Beatnik" in the past, Mr. Nakajima?

The first time I wore them was when I was still a store staff member. I bought them at an outdoor store in Tokyo. The design was innovative for the time, and staff at select stores were wearing them all the time. I think they were made in Brazil at the time, which left a strong impression on me because it was a rare country of production.

What style did you adapt to at that time?

I used to match it with orthodox American casual style and outdoor-inspired outfits. I think many of the people around me did the same.

What are your impressions of the actual "Beatnik" shoes this time?

They are as easy to wear as they used to be. I also felt that the suede expression is beautifully expressed. Perhaps it's partly because it's genuine leather, but the classy style seems to match the "Beauty & Youth" worldview as well.

If you were to wear them again now, what style would you match them with?

Shirts are one of the indispensable items in the "Beauty & Youth" style. I think it would be interesting to incorporate shirts as a subtle addition to an otherwise classy outfit. For casual wear, I think you can express a sense of trendiness by mixing in sporty elements.

4_hynm_beatnik_item

BEATNIK
BEIGE ¥15,000+TAX

Beauty & Youth United Arrows Shibuya Koen-dori Store
03-5428-1893
store.united-arrows.co.jp

Reebok adidas Group Customer Service
0570-033-033
reebok.com

atmos Press

Tsunehei Sudathree

Suda recalls, "I have an image that people in the fashion industry and famous creators used to wear these shoes back then. In the mid-1990s, when the backstreet culture was flourishing, "beatniks" supported the feet of core fashion freaks.

First of all, what was your impression of "Beatnik" at the time?

In the 90's, they were still only available in the Japanese market through parallel imports, so only a few sneaker stores and select stores carried them. Therefore, I remember them as a rare model. In my hometown of Fukuoka, you could hardly find them.

Do you have any personal feelings about it?

At the time, I was into the backstreet culture, so it was a special pair for me as well as my longing for Tokyo. Then I joined ATMOS, and I remember I was personally excited when the limited distribution color of "BEATNICK" was released at ATMOS. They are still positioned as a unique sandal that I have been holding onto since that time.

What are your thoughts on the reissued "Beatnik"?

Finally, Reebok reissued these shoes! I was moved to see that Reebok has finally reissued these shoes, and I also reaffirmed that the design is still good for the connoisseur. The refined design with functional beauty, such as the Velcro and shark sole, is a pair that shows the philosophy of the brand.

If you were to wear them again now, how would you match them with your outfits?

It is definitely sports x street. I have the strong impression that they were worn by people who were rooted in the backstreet culture, so I thought it would be interesting to embody the way they were worn back then. I think I would like to wear them as a kind of revival.

5_hynm_beatnik_item

BEATNIK
BEIGE ¥15,000+TAX

atmos Flagship Store
03-6427-6366
www.atmos-tokyo.com

Reebok adidas Group Customer Service
0570-033-033
reebok.com

atmos Buyer

Jun Kimurathree

I think the design will appeal to people who like sneakers as well," says Kimura. In addition to its design, "Beatnik" is also attractive because of its comfort that is comparable to that of sneakers.

First of all, what is your impression of "beatnik"?

I am 25 years old now, so naturally I am not of the "Beatnik" generation, but I am surrounded by many sneaker enthusiasts, so I have heard a lot about them from my seniors and other loyal users. Personally, I was able to try them on for the first time at the time of their release.

What exactly did you hear or see?

Comfort sandals, which were established as a basic sandal style, were also novel at the time and were worn as an oddity. I heard that they quickly became a hot topic in the fashion industry and had many fans. I had heard many anecdotes about them, so I have always wanted to try them on. So I am happy that they were reissued at this time.

What are your impressions of the actual "Beatnik" shoes this time?

The comfort is similar to that of sneakers, and the gap between the appearance and comfort is impressive. The Shark sole, which is rare nowadays, promises comfortable cushioning, so you can wear them hard without stress, which will come in handy.

If you were to wear them again now, how would you match them with your outfits?

I think they go well with the oversized outfits and street-style styling that is common among my generation and the younger generation. Because of its voluminous form, I would like to propose a style in which the feet play a leading role.

6_hynm_beatnik_item

BEATNIK
BLACK ¥15,000+TAX

atmos Flagship Store
03-6427-6366
www.atmos-tokyo.com

Reebok adidas Group Customer Service
0570-033-033
reebok.com

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