H Katsukawa from Tokyo Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building is holding a pop-up store until March 15th (Tuesday) in the men's shoes section on the first basement floor, featuring two offerings: the "Denim Capsule Collection for ISETAN MENS = Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building Limited Capsule Collection" and "Pattern Order." The "Denim Collection," based on the new label "CITY CLIMBING" launched last autumn/winter, is available exclusively at Isetan Men's.


The possibilities and expression of shoes are becoming increasingly free.

—This denim collection is a new version of "City Climbing," and it seems you're quite confident in it.

I like the construction of the City Climbing series as a shoe. Nowadays, sports manufacturers are releasing shoes geared towards urban use, and shoe manufacturers are becoming more conscious of sporty styles, but in our urban lives, we unconsciously feel both of these sensibilities and express them in our clothing as a matter of course.

—We've seen people wearing mountain parkas over suits, and Hiroshi Tsubouchi's sneaker series is selling well.

Shoes are tools for wearing, and the situations in which we wear them are becoming more diverse. It feels like we've exhausted all the possibilities in footwear, but for us as manufacturers, that actually increases our freedom. I have a theme at my core: "How can we make urban life more interesting and fulfilling?" and I see great potential in city climbing, which was born from that idea.


Aiming for functional footwear nurtured by sensibility.

—When did you first become aware of that theme?

I suppose it all started with 3/11. Since starting my brand in 2007, I've been committed to the feel of leather materials, aiming to convey a sense of richness through shoes. But that Great East Japan Earthquake made me want to create products that combine the functionality of footwear with the best qualities of leather.

—I see. So, City Climbing was created with that idea in mind.

Regarding such "functions," I myself, as an urban dweller, have experimented with them by actually wearing them in my daily life. One form of this is City Climbing, and the Nibe Leather series appeals to the "sensibility" of having something like this in everyday life to make it more comfortable. For example, you all probably wear a down jacket to go to an art museum as a matter of course, and I think that's also a combination of function and sensibility.

H. Katsukawa from Tokyo "Denim Collection" ( Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building exclusive) Tyrolean style ¥66,960

Shoes as comfortable gear that fits urban life

—Hearing that, I can understand the idea behind the "shoes that return to the earth" made with veneered leather, which you exhibited at Isetan Men's "JAPAN Shoe Expo 2015" last year, based on the principle that "things that don't return to the earth are bad for the world."

When I was approached by the buyer at Isetan Men's, I thought about it a lot, but taking on challenges like that allows me to see a new world within myself and move forward. High hurdles are like strength training; if you push yourself, you can reach the next stage. I was also inspired by the shoes made by other shoe designers and brands, and those kinds of challenges are interesting to watch.

—Please tell us about the appeal of city climbing, which combines "sensibility and functionality."

The City Climbing series uses the Goodyear welted construction method and features a long leather counter that firmly holds the heel from the side, further enhancing the fit. It is a time-consuming manufacturing method, but we are committed to creating shoes that we ourselves believe are "comfortable to wear." For this pop-up, we will be offering five styles as part of our "Denim Collection": Tyrolean shoes, loafers, and sneakers. Please come and try on these shoes—gear—that fit perfectly with urban life and fashion.

H. Katsukawa From Tokyo Pop-up Store □ March 9th (Wed) - March 15th (Tue) Designer Eiichi Katsukawa is scheduled to visit on March 12th (Sat) and 13th (Sun)
□ Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building B1F = Men's Shoes ■ Pattern Order Details: ・Printed leather shoes with leather sole: ¥71,820 ・Printed leather shoes with crepe sole: ¥60,480 ・Denim Collection ( Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building exclusive) sneakers: ¥34,560

Photo: SUZUKI Shimpei

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