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We interviewed Mr. Ryota Yamada, a stylist who has a reputation for his styling based on his extensive knowledge of everything from street fashion to vintage clothing, as well as subcultures such as music and movies, and who is also a talented advertiser and cataloguer, about the recently released "Nature IV" line. Yamada Ryota, who is known for his excellent styling work behind the scenes and is also a talented stylist for advertisements and catalogs, talked about the recently released "Nature IV. He will talk about the design, comfort, and styling points of the "Nature IV" while holding the shoes in his hands.

Desert Trek was the first Clarks I encountered in the 90s.

-. First of all, please tell us about your first encounter with Clarks.

mountain field: I think my first Clarks were probably the brown leather "Desert Trek" that I bought when I was around high school age. It was around 1996 or 1997, I believe, and they were quite popular at the time, but I remember having a lot of trouble buying them. I loved them so much that I forced myself to match them with my school run and even wore them to school (laughs).

-What kind of image did you have of "Clarks" in your mind?

mountain field. At the time, I was just getting into fashion, and my shoe choices were limited. I had the image that it was sneakers, work boots, or "Clarks". . I remember that "Clarks" was one of the choices that reigned supreme.

-What model did you move on from Desert Trek after that?

mountain fieldAbout 2 years ago, I started wearing "Clarks" a lot in my work style. I recently bought a pair of low-cut black Wallabies and have been wearing them with a variety of styles.

-I think it was the rise of the 90's style that led to its use in styling, right?

mountain field. Yes, that's right. In my image, it was like wearing wallabies or desert boots instead of sneakers with the royal street style of thick pants. Looking at them now, I feel they are much more reasonable than high-end leather shoes, and since they are highly versatile in style, I think they are easy to incorporate into your outfits. They are also comfortable, which is essential when relaxing.

The "Nature IV" is not only comfortable, but also expresses an exquisite modern and classic look.

-What did you think of Nature IV when you first saw it?

mountain fieldThe Nature series up to now has had a warm design that is typical of the brand, but the new "Nature IV" has a very high-tech feel to it. . At first, I thought it was a different kind of shoe. . I got the impression that it was a hybrid of a sneaker and a comfort shoe. Also, the sole, which seems to be a collection of the best of high-tech, has an impact.

The design is certainly something that one would not expect from the Nature series up to now.

mountain field.: The design has been boldly redesigned while pursuing comfort as a comfort shoe, and the sportiness has increased dramatically. At first glance, they look like sneakers, but the unique last shape with a wide instep and the sole are very different from sneakers. It is a new kind of shoe that cannot be categorized anywhere. There are many things to see, such as the combination of mesh and leather upper, the sock design at the ankle, and the nubuck leather heel tab.

-What are your impressions after actually wearing them?

mountain field: To put it succinctly, they are crazy comfortable to wear while also having a moderate weight. Compared to regular shoes, the toe silhouette is wider, so there is a moderate amount of room, and the ankle sock provides a comfortable fit and feel.

-How about walkability?

mountain field. I am sure it is the result of these insoles, but the gait is good enough. The round points on the back of the insole provide good cushioning, and the grooves in the areas that move frequently provide excellent flexibility. When you walk in them, you can feel that the points on the back of the insole sink into the ground one by one, and the good return from the flexibility of the sole also makes it easy to walk in them. There is no doubt that these shoes are uniquely comfortable.

-Aside from Saul, are there any other concerns?

mountain field. The mesh upper is also highly breathable, which is just right for the coming warmer season. Breathability is important in the humid Japanese climate. The ankle opening is comfortable and easy to put on and take off, so they are really comfortable.

-How would you incorporate this into your styling?

mountain field. With such a high-tech look, I think it would be better to use them as a sporty accent, like a pair of high-tech sneakers, rather than to wear them in an authentic and organic way on the street. However, the toe and laces are made of leather, and the color palette is chic, so if the overall look is kept calm, it will bring out a more mature look. The shoes have an exquisite modern and classic look, so I think they can be styled in a variety of ways to bring out a modern look.