In the 1990s, the term "vintage" was used to describe vintage clothing that did not meet the definition of "antique," but was still valuable. Nowadays, there is a movement to find new value in "new vintage," even in old clothes from the 1980s onward, which were called "regular" at the time. In this project, four vintage clothing stores with different styles propose new ways to enjoy vintage clothing. Each of them will talk about the charm of vintage clothing with their own sense of style.
This is the last installment of Season 9, which was relaunched with all the stores replaced. The 72nd edition will be closed by Mr. Koji of "danjil".
Text_Tommy
Edit_Yosuke Ishii
Koji / danjil Manager
Vol.72_Nike Zoom Air URL by Nike
-What are the new vintage items you will be introducing this time?
last timeSince the "Icon Backpack" by OAKLEY was used for the first time, I'm going to use sneakers this time. How about "NIKE ZOOM AIR URL" by NIKE? Recently, I've been thinking about how nice old shoes are, so I pulled out these for the first time in a while. Nike's SB (skateboarding) line was born in 2002, and this is a model that appeared at the beginning of the line.
Nike Zoom Air URL ¥43,780(Danzil)
-I miss it. The author also owned a Bulls color. The model is about 20 years old and looks to be in pretty good condition.
Unless they were actually worn by skaters while riding, the uppers are fine and the rubber soles do not deteriorate much, but peeling of the soles is inevitable. Therefore, we only purchase skaters that are in good condition, almost dead, and we put them on our store shelves after repairing the sole by peeling it off and gluing it back on. The air unit of this model is not exposed to the outside. Since there are many cases where the Air unit is damaged, the Zoom Air in the insole is also a key point in terms of "wearable now.
-Such is the design of the upper that does not expose the stitching.
It's a very nice item. Both sides and the instep are made of one piece each, and the finishing is very careful and good. Nike is very good at this kind of transitional design. However, it may not have been worth the cost. Soon after that, the "NIKE ZOOM AIR E-CUE," which has a two-layer structure of mesh textile and mesh-like molded plastic parts, was introduced, and it attracted a lot of attention.
-Did you wear them at that time, Mr. Koji?
Of course! I liked the 1st color and wore them a lot. However, I switched to "DUNK SB" as soon as they came out (laugh). They had a sophisticated look that didn't look like skates, and the design was revolutionary, but when I noticed, they disappeared from the scene. I've never skated in them, but I'm sure they'd be great because of the thin sole that makes it easy to control the deck. I thought it was cool when it was first released, but gradually I started to feel that there was something missing. But after about 20 years, I've come full circle, not just one, but two, and there's a growing momentum within me to re-evaluate them and say, "They're really good.
I think the word "skeu-shu-like" is aptly used.
I liked Nike's "Sting" running shoes from the 1970s, and the atmosphere of these shoes is similar to that. The way they hide the stitching is like leather shoes, and it's interesting that you can't tell what you're wearing when the bottoms are covered with the hem. I think there are many people of the same generation who have the image of "the out-of-print model" as the mainstream skate shoes shifted to more voluminous models in the early 2000s, but I think they will look fresh in the eyes of the younger generation. The low-profile form of the recently trendy adidas "SAMBA" skates is comfortable on the foot, and I hope they will be revived, so I picked them up for this issue.
Nike Zoom Air URL ¥43,780(Danzil)
-What was it like to be marketed at the time?
I think the initial sales channels were limited to skate stores and "Supreme" at the time of launch. Another feature of this model is the variety of colors: the first delivery was available at ...... in black x black, aka "Nicks (blue x orange x white)," aka "Matcha," aka "Matcha. Matcha (green tea). Shortly after that, a new color for the 2nd delivery was introduced, giving the impression that the company had thrown together quite a series of color variations in less than a year.
-I know there was a lot of talk about unique color variations. Like the white and black with yellow stripes.
The "Hanshin Tigers" are commonly known as "Hanshin Tigers" with the number "0" engraved on the heel. Similarly, the white, orange, and black color with the number "1" engraved on the heel is called the "Yomiuri Giants. However, since it was not a Japan-only release, there were many rumors at the time as to why. I have fond memories of the many rumors flying around at the time (laugh). (Laughs) Incidentally, I was buying overseas. At that time, they were sold for about 15,000 yen at an import shoe store in Japan, so I guess they cost about 80 dollars over there.
Nike Zoom Air URL ¥43,780(Danzil)
Nike Zoom Air URL ¥43,780(Danzil)
-How did you fit it together back then?
I think I was more of a B-boy. I would wear 46-inch Levi's 501XXs with the waist cinched in. Today, I would wear Acronym cargo pants with a cushion at the hem. In the early 2000s, gray or black-colored pants were the mainstream, so shoes that accentuate the footwear like this go well with them.
-By the way, is there a price difference for each color?
The 1st delivery black and nicks are a bit expensive if they are in perfect condition, and the market price is about 5,000 yen higher than the others. On the other hand, the cheapest ones are maple (brown) and so on. There is also a high-cut type, but they are easy to find and seem to be traded at a relatively affordable price. Either way, I think there are many people who still have them. I have also been given them by a collector who had bought them back in the day and kept them as home-made dead stock.
I see. It is important to be able to wear them well even after a long time.
Most of today's sneakers have synthetic leather uppers. The problem with synthetic leather is that it hardens over time. If that's the case, I recommend the Nike Zoom Air UHL, which are expensive, but can be worn properly and stand out from others, and are a bit navel-gazing!
Koji / danjil Manager
In 2003, he opened "danjil," a vintage clothing store featuring items related to American culture from the 1980s to the 2000s, in Machida, which was known as a mecca for vintage clothing in the southwest area of Tokyo. The store, which celebrated its 20th anniversary on July 7 this year, is filled with items related to street culture and American sports, making visitors "lovers" fainter in agony. He is also the director of the up-and-coming brand "Cotton Pan.
Instagram:@danjil2
