A pair that can be loved for a long time with a lot of attention to detail.
-Was Converse at that time completely different between the Japanese project and the American project?
Kurihara: I felt they were different. When I visited "Converse, Inc." in the past, I looked at old catalogs and materials, and I felt that the Japanese models had a subtle Japanese taste in design. Well, yes, because they were made by Japanese people. But from the standpoint of a vintage lover, I sometimes prefer less elaborate designs. I think the difference between the Japanese and American models of the time was in the subtle nuances of the design. The "One Star Deck Shoes" are a perfect blend of the best parts of Japanese and American design, and I think that the balance between the two is exquisite.
Hase: The base is "Marine Star," but that's just the base, and the design of this "One Star Deck Shoes" is different in a good way.
-What were some of the particular aspects of this production that you focused on?
Hase: First, we wanted a color that would be easy to match for sales, so we asked for a black upper and finished the overall design to match the black canvas.
Kurihara: To begin with, generally speaking, deck shoes are blue or white, and black doesn't exist. In the past, there were no black tennis shoes either. Perhaps the color black itself has a not-so-good sporting image. Even in older sneakers, black only exists in bashes and some track shoes. Black is also the rarest color for Jack Purcell. However, in the 80's, black became more fashionable and popular.
Hase: It is true that deck shoes are mainly in colors that remind us of the sea, such as blue and white. Conversely, the strong image of these colors sometimes makes it difficult to match them in fashion.
Konno: Black is easy to match. Also, many domestic and international brands have released models based on deck shoes, and deck shoes themselves are trendy, so I think the timing was right for this release. Also, as a design source, I really wanted to put a "one-star" on the heel counter, as it is the 50th anniversary of the company, and I wanted to create a sense of celebration.
Shimura: The design of the "One Star Deck Shoes" is very mature and the shape is very beautiful.
-What are the functional aspects?
Hase: Although not so much in the way of features, if I may say so, there is a built-in elastic next to the shoe tongue for easy on/off, and the footbed cushioning has become more flexible and comfortable.
Shimura: The standard "All Star" is a bit stiff. But some people like that stiffness, so I can't say which is better, but this one is quite soft and comfortable.
Kurihara: It is not a function, but it would be nice to have a black line on the side part of the outsole to make the whole look tidy. Basically, deck shoes don't have lines. In that sense, it is very fresh.
Konno: You added lines and had the thick stitches on the edge of the edge of the bag be a raw color to match the color of the surrounding area. It was just a minor adjustment, really, but it was a small thing.
-What kind of style do you want people to wear the "One Star Deck Shoes" in this time?
Hase: There are no specifics; the simple design makes it easy to match with any style. For example, it can be worn with denim shorts for a casual style, or with chinos and a shirt for a slightly more formal look.
Konno: It's a versatile design and will go with both short & long bottoms. We think we have created a versatile product that can be worn for a long time. I hope you will wear them as much as possible. Personally, if it were possible, I would buy two pairs for stock (laugh).
Kurihara: I think this design will blend in with vintage without any discomfort, so I think it is best to wear them freely. I want you to wear them with denim, cargo pants, slacks, and anything else. I make my living from vintage and other old items, but there are many obstacles to enjoying such items, such as not being able to choose the size and deterioration over time. Of course, that's part of the fun. Also, I myself am not as obsessed with vintage and secondhand clothing as I used to be, and revival models like this one appeal to me more and more. The design is a perfect balance of classic and modernity, and it can be worn by people who like old "Converse" shoes, too.
-Will you continue to offer special projects such as this one?
Shimura: I guess it depends on the sales this time (laughs). Well, all joking aside, I personally would like to be involved in this project because it is stimulating in many ways, such as making new discoveries through the creation of special models like this. I think it is very valuable for a company to be able to create something new while also being in touch with its archives, as we have done this time. I also hope that this project will lead to the creation of a model that will become extremely popular and become a standard item in the future. I am very happy that this collaboration has resulted in a product that will be loved for a long time.
