These shoes are so well-made that they give the illusion of being made by a former industrial runner.
Do you have a tendency to choose sneakers?
Kuroyanagi:I don't have a particular preference for sneakers, but I often choose models based on running shoes. Running shoes are lightweight and easy to walk in, especially on days when I know I will be walking today. However, I also wear low-tech shoes and leather shoes.
Please tell us about any episodes you had with Descente.
Kuroyanagi:This is a bit of a memory, but I was on the track team in junior high school as well, and I thought the "Move Sports" (Descente's new label) printed clothing at the time was cool. I thought that the fast, good-looking people were wearing "Move Sports. I wanted to wear it myself, but my family wasn't well-off, so I couldn't afford it. Then, a while ago, I participated in a "Move Sports" photo shoot as a model, and they used me as a panel in their store. I immediately reported it to my parents (laughs).
(laughs). (Laughs.) That's a wonderful episode. Now, how did you feel about wearing "Modularize" this time?
Kuroyanagi:Before this interview, I did not do any preliminary research. I wanted to give you my honest impression of the shoes without any prior information. Based on this premise, the moment I put my feet in the shoes, I felt that they were shoes that could be used for both running and mountaineering. So I asked, "These are running shoes, right?" But the answer was, "No, they are sneakers," which surprised me tremendously.
That's a nice surprise.
Kuroyanagi:In other words, they have enough potential to give runners the illusion that they are running shoes. The sole is comfortable, not too hard and not too soft, and it looks like it could be used for jogging after a light run.
The upper part is waterproof and breathable.
Kuroyanagi:There are features all over the place, such as rain resistance and a quick shoe lace fit. The outsole is "MEGAGRIP" so you can walk off-road as well. Although the direction of the shoe is different, I felt that it is a shoe with strong attention to detail, just like running shoes.
What about the design aspect?
Kuroyanagi:I tend to choose subdued colors for both shoes and clothing, so I thought it would be a great match with these shoes. The red laces add a nice accent. The design and coloring of the shoes are such that you can match them with anything, no matter what your style. Actually, I was also interested in the black ones, but I think these would go better with my outfits.
What are your styling tips?
Kuroyanagi:As I often wear tight tops like today, I balanced the bottoms with wide shorts from "Descente Ortelaine". The most important thing was color matching, so I tried to keep the sneaker's world view intact.
I see. To begin with, what is your perspective in choosing shoes and clothes?
Kuroyanagi:I became conscious of fashion when I started working. Before that, I used to read magazines and buy whatever was trendy, but since I became seriously interested in fashion, I choose what makes me feel good on a particular day. It is the same for running clothes.
I see that you enjoy fashion, valuing your own sense of exuberance.
Kuroyanagi:That's right. In the end, I think that each person should be free to enjoy fashion as he or she sees fit. Enjoy the fashion you like, no matter what people around you think. In my case, I sometimes mix in sportswear, and I would be happy if I, as a former runner, could make as many people as possible think that sports brand clothes can also be enjoyed as fashion by dressing in such a way.
