CASE 01 Tomonori Shibasaki / Product Strategist, BEAMS
PROFILE
Born in 1980, he joined BEAMS in 2005. After working as the chief buyer of men's casual wear, he moved to his current position. He is also in charge of transactions with Red Wing, and has created numerous special order items.
When was the first time you wore Red Wing boots?
Shibasaki:I was 16 years old. At that time, magazines had a strong influence on me and introduced various American items, which I admired. Among them was Red Wing's Irish Setter, and I got a pair in reddish brown. I used to wear them with very thick denim, or with my 501®, copying the styles in magazines. I was enjoying myself by immersing myself in the mood.
Did you ever buy new work boots after that?
Shibasaki:After that, I wore "Postmans," which I got through bartering, and also the special-order "Supersoles," which I bought after joining "BEAMS. But Red Wing shoes are durable and can be worn for a long time. So there is no need to rush out and buy more. And the more I wear them, the more they develop a certain taste, and that's cool.
Shibasaki:However, the "Irish Setter" was my first "Red Wing" and is a memorable item for me. The plain toe is also attractive, but the moc-toe is simply one more production process. You have to sew the toe part. I once visited a factory in Minnesota, and when I saw the craftsmen sewing, my hands tend to reach for things that require human touch (laughs).
What kind of image do you have of Red Wing now?
Shibasaki:It is the royal road of American work boots, isn't it? From the past to the present, there has been no change in the charm of these boots in a good sense. I think they have been slightly updated, but they are still "made in the USA" and the quality is still maintained. But the price is reasonable for such quality. They are attractive as an introduction to fashion, and yet they are items that can be worn by adults as well.
You have been selling your products at "BEAMS" for a long time without a break, haven't you?
Shibasaki:It is an indispensable brand. They have the quality of work boots, but at the same time they are fashionable. This is what is necessary for proposing "BEAMS" fashion. There was a time when we didn't accept special orders, but since "BEAMS" has been working with us for a long time, they accepted our special orders. We have a really long relationship.
In this context, I always try to create special orders that enhance the brand's origins so that we can convey the brand's appeal to customers. I always try to make sure that customers who buy Red Wing shoes and have never heard of the brand have a route to research the roots of the brand on their own.
Do you also feel this trend?
Shibasaki:Many people in their mid-30s and older have experienced the American casual style, and even if the frequency of wearing boots and leather shoes changes from time to time, I think there are always boots and leather shoes in their wardrobe. On the other hand, a junior colleague of mine in his late 20s told me that he had never worn Red Wing shoes. But he recently said, "I want to wear them because I'm interested in them. It seems that more and more people around him are also interested in "Postman" and "Irish Setter. When I hear such comments up close, I can feel a strong increase in enthusiasm. In fact, one of my juniors bought a pair of Red Wing boots and is wearing them.
Do you feel the American casual trend coming back?
Shibasaki:I think the flow of the 90's Shibu-Kaja is coming back. That's why regular vintage clothing is popular, and I think kids in their 20s are digging into this culture and movement. In such cases, it is impossible to avoid famous American brands. I think that's why Red Wing is inevitably in the spotlight.
Ms. Shibasaki's outfit today is also based on American casual, and the "Red Wing" shoes really stand out.
Shibasaki:I wasn't sure if I would wear ice blue denim because of the bright gold russet color. However, I am now in my 40s, and I wanted to propose a way of wearing that would be comfortable for adults, so I dared to choose chinos. I chose chinos because I wanted to suggest something that would be easy for adults to wear. I was conscious of using a single tone so that they would not be too cozy. By incorporating traditional elements, I think it gives a slightly beautiful impression, or at least keeps the casualness a little under control. But with this color, denim is good, and gray sweatpants are also easy to match.
I think the styling has been modernized to look like today's shoes, rather than what it was back then.
Shibasaki:The size of the clothing has become larger than in those days of Shibu-Kajitsu. However, the face of Red Wing boots is the same as it was back then. So, if you want to wear them in a modern style, you need to change the clothes. In other words, it's all about the size. If these boots were to be worn with a mode style, they would look out of place, so I would recommend updating the size to a modern style based on a certain degree of American casual wear.
IRISH SETTER 6″ MOC #9875 ¥42,900＋TAX The 6-inch length "#875" was derived from the 8-inch length "#877" boot, which was made for hunting in 1952. The name was derived from the color of the leather, which was reminiscent of the fur of an Irish setter, a hunting dog. The sole has a traction tread sole that allows for a high degree of freedom and comfort at the toe and reduces fatigue even after long wear. The use of high-quality leather and its high functionality and durability have made this model synonymous with Red Wing and loved not only by hunters but also by workers.
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