The Hiroshi Tsubouchi Pop-Up Store & Pattern Order Event will be held from Wednesday, March 2nd, on the first basement floor in the men's shoe section. This time, a new "wingtip sneaker" made with "reflective material" exclusively for Isetan Men's will be available. In the second part of the interview, we will ask Hiroshi Tsubouchi about his philosophy of shoemaking and how Japanese men wear their shoes.


The design concept is classic, but...

-- After graduating from a shoe-making school in Japan, Ms. Tsubouchi worked as a freelance shoe designer, introducing the hugely popular brands "Premiata Uomo" and "Enzo Bonafe" to Japan. She then launched her own brand bearing her own name. What kind of shoes do you like?

My tastes change with the times, but at their core, I like British and American traditional styles, as well as French continental style. I also love the era when I wore heeled boots like the ones I wore with suits from Yves Saint Laurent and Renoma in the 60s and 70s.

-- Whenever I meet Ms. Tsubouchi, I'm always impressed by how stylish and beautifully dressed she is. You must love clothes, too, right?

I love clothes, both classic and modern. When I buy clothes, I always want to buy suits or jackets first, so my shoe designs also have their origins in classic styles, but I try not to stick to just one style. I wear classic suits, of course, but I also wear THOM BROWNE. NEW YORK and Saint Laurent. I'm interested in all kinds of styles. When the world starts to shift towards casual wear, I wear a suit every day and even make the effort to wear a tie when I go out. I'm a bit of a contrarian (laughs). There are things I can enjoy like ties, so I don't see the point in throwing them away.


Try various things and you'll become the "real thing."

—So you're a bit of a contrarian (laughs). What's the core of Mr. Tsubouchi's shoe designs?

That's a difficult question. From a fashion perspective, I'm interested in a wide range of styles, from formal to casual, so I'd like to try many different things. With shoes, for example, I'd like to tackle extremely difficult challenges, such as creating shoes made from a single layer of leather that can be worn barefoot. I want to try many different things, and as long as they turn out to be "authentic," that's all that matters. I want to expand the world of possibilities for shoes.

—What are your impressions of the men's shoe department at Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building ?

This shop attracts not only shoe lovers but also fashion enthusiasts. I get the impression that they have many repeat customers.


There is always a "proper dress code" in every era.

—What do you think of the way Japanese men wear their shoes?

Compared to the past, there are now more stores where you can buy good shoes, and more men are taking care of their own shoes, so I think the environment surrounding shoes has improved. People are also getting better at choosing shoes to match their fashion style, but I think people in positions of social standing, such as politicians and corporate executives, should dress more conservatively.

—Has anything been on your mind lately?

I feel like things have become too casual lately. It seems like fewer and fewer people are dressing properly. I especially wish that people in positions of social standing would make an effort to dress in a more traditional style. There is always a "proper way to dress" in any era, and I want that to take root in society. If that happens, then I think, "Let's break that down!" (laughs).


Hiroshi Tsubouchi Wingtip Sneakers (Gold) ¥31,320 Hiroshi Tsubouchi Wingtip Sneakers (Silver) ¥29,160 Hiroshi Tsubouchi Gurkha Sandals ¥29,160

Photo: SUZUKI Shimpei

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Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building , B1F = Men's Shoes
03-3352-1111 (main representative)