CASE 03: Leo Funatsu Sneakers are closely related to street culture.
PROFILE
Born in Chiba, Japan in 1999, he began his interest in street dance at the age of 6, starting with break dance and pop dance. 10 years old, he started hip-hop dance at the age of 15, becoming the Asian champion of the international dance battle "SDK" and representing Asia in the world competition in the Czech Republic. . . Currently, he is a member of the dance crew "PWNED" and also works as an instructor.
Instagram: @leo_funatsu
Leo, what are your criteria for choosing a pair of sneakers?
Leo:. Since I dance, I often refer to the feet of dancers I admire. I watch their videos on Youtube and think, "I want to wear these shoes, too. There is a hip-hop dance crew called "Misfitss" overseas, and they were wearing "PUMA SUEDE" shoes. I was influenced by them, and that's when I bought them.
After that, I tried sneakers of various brands, and after considering comfort and other factors, I still come back to "PUMA SUEDE". The classic design is cool, too.
Suede S
I heard that the model you brought today is the most comfortable of all the "PUMA SUEDE" shoes you own, Leo.
Leo:This is a skateboarding-focused model that PUMA used to offer in the past, but the insoles are highly cushioned, and the outsoles have been switched to tougher materials where the load is placed, making them quite practical. . I also like the recent "PUMA SUEDE," with its soft insole that makes it easy to wear.
Do you consider the comfort and fit of the shoes to be a criterion for selection from a dancer's point of view?
Leo:. I am concerned about it. The sole of "PUMA SUEDE" is soft from the beginning, so there is no need to break them in. If the sole is hard, it will take time to get used to it because it will not be flexible. But with "PUMA SUEDE," I don't have to worry about that, and the grip is excellent. You can feel the ground in a good way.
Do many dancers wear "PUMA SUEDE"?
Leo:Yes, it is. It has always been popular, and many kids choose the "PUMA SUEDE" as their entry model.
They are iconic in the dance and hip-hop culture, and that's why they are so popular.
Leo:I think so, many B-Boys wear "PUMA SUEDE" too, and I'm sure there are many who find them attractive and think "I'll wear them too". My own teammates wear them , and they are easy to match with their outfits. They are a very popular item around me. As a dancer, you can't go wrong if you wear them, and wearing them makes you feel much tighter.
Also, PUMA is often involved in dance competitions, both in Japan and overseas. When I won a world competition once, I received a very large "PUMA SUEDE" as a trophy. . Because of this experience, I have the impression that PUMA is closely connected with dance culture.
Leo, how many pairs of "PUMA SUEDE" have you worn so far?
Leo:I have three pairs: basic black and white, red and white, and this pair I brought today. Sometimes I wear them with fat laces to change my mood. I was impressed by the fact that American rappers used to wear fat laces, and Japanese B-Boys wore them in the same way. . There is an image of "PUMA SUEDE" as Fat Lace, isn't there?
Today you wore "SUEDE VTG", how do you like them?
Leo:It is still very well cushioned. I don't get tired of wearing them. Also, the color of the suede is nice. It's a bit like a faded black. . It's a classic model, but I feel it has more flavor. PUMA SUEDE" is good for dancing, but it is also cool for wearing around town.
Also, I skate, and these sneakers seem to fit that kind of scene as well. Recently, many kids are wearing these sneakers on the streets, and I often see "PUMA SUEDE" in skate videos overseas.
Do you have anything in particular in mind when you dressed today?
Leo:I didn't want to lose my old B-Boy image, so I wore thicker denim. The tops were also slouchy to match, giving off a 90's old-school rapper vibe.
Lastly, what do you expect from PUMA in the future?
Leo:Various models are released every season, but I hope the design will remain the same while the materials and technology aspects are updated. I think "PUMA SUEDE" is the core of the brand, and it has fans in every era. . I would like it to remain as it is so that people can pick it up at any time.
