The popular spring event , the JM WESTON pop-up store, will be held this year from May 1st (Wed) to May 21st (Tue) Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building, 1st Floor, The Stage featuring special content.

The third fashion expert we're interviewing is Sara Iwata, in charge of social media at Mitsukoshi Isetan. Iwata, who shares everything from fashion to lifestyle on her own social media and is currently gaining attention in various media outlets, shares her perspective on the appeal of JM WESTON . She also gives an exclusive, first look at the sandals making their debut at Isetan Shinjuku, offering her unique viewpoint.

►Click here for event details starting May 1st (Wednesday)

A smart, masculine feel,

"My image of JM WESTON was that of a 'gentleman,' and also traditional."

This is according to Sara Iwata, who is in charge of social media at Mitsukoshi Isetan.
Because Iwata is well-versed in women's fashion trends, the traditional JM WESTON brand had previously seemed somewhat distant to her. However, precisely because of its "gentlemanly" image, it has recently become a brand that she finds intriguing.

"For the past year or so, I've been wearing men's clothes more often, and I've started browsing clothes at Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building 6th floor. When I wear men's clothes, women's shoes don't quite match, or rather, they feel a bit out of place. I think it would be fun to deliberately pair men's clothes with men's shoes to create an overall masculine style."

Mr. Iwata, who says this, says that what he finds appealing about JM WESTON shoes is the smartness that is unique to men's leather shoes.

"Many women's shoes from luxury brands have a rounded, chunky silhouette, so compared to those, I personally feel that shoes like the '#180 Signature Loafers' have a sleek, smart look. While there are women's pumps that are also sleek, I feel that the '#180 Signature Loafers' have a different kind of smartness."

JM WESTON shoes that have a sense of density

Furthermore, Iwata has been interested in brown-colored items this season, and she mentioned that the "#180 Signature Loafers" in tan brown might be a good choice.

"I thought that brown footwear would look great with natural-toned clothes. For example, I imagined wearing an Auralee beige set-up with a smart shirt and wearing the tan brown '#180 Signature Loafers' barefoot."

Incidentally, for Iwata, who usually wears a lot of black, this is also a challenge to try a new style. On the other hand, she mentions the black "#641 Golf" as a shoe that attracted her from a different perspective.

"I think these would go well with my everyday clothes. Plus, I like the wide E width. I think they'd look cute with white socks, with just this much bulk. Compared to other brands, JM WESTON shoes are minimalist, but they have a sense of weight. Lately, I've been wanting a sense of weight and substance in the clothes and accessories I wear. I'm not talking about values or concepts, but rather the mass that can be felt in the materials and silhouettes. In the case of shoes, for example, if the stitching is sloppy, you don't get a sense of weight. Even with the texture of the leather, you can sometimes feel that it's light and rough. In that respect, JM WESTON shoes have a great sense of density. That's what contributes to the sense of weight, and I like it."

These sandals are easy to slip on and can be styled in a variety of ways.

This event will feature a sandal collection starting on Wednesday, May 15th, during the third week of the event. The men's and women's sandals that debuted in Spring/Summer 2023 will be available with new styles. Prior to the release, we had Ms. Iwata try them on.

"I was actually looking for sandals for this summer. I already have some chunky sandals, but I was looking for something lighter and more neutral. The ones I tried on today are simple yet stylish, and I especially love the feather-like design of the front straps. The design mixes chunky and delicate elements, so I think they'll go well with a wide range of clothes I already own."

"Today I chose a dress that's an adaptation of an Akira Naka trench coat, but I think it would also look good with denim or slacks. Also, the ankle strap adds a touch of femininity, creating a nice balance that prevents it from leaning too much towards a masculine feel. I also think other sandals, such as those with matte silver buckles or made of linen, would go well with the rough textures of summer."

* JM WESTON sandal collection will be available from Wednesday, May 15th.

Regarding "Weston Vintage," which will also be featured at this pop-up event, Iwata shared his impressions as follows:

"Men might look for rare pieces, but for me, shoes are about whether they fit the overall outfit or not, so I don't really have a collector's perspective. However, I do think a sustainable approach is important."


"I often wear vintage clothing in my everyday life, and I've even inherited some of my mother's clothes. I think it's great to break in new items yourself, but if you can find a vintage piece that really suits you, wouldn't that be wonderful? This kind of aged look is something that's hard to achieve on your own, and it takes time. If I wanted to wear shoes with this kind of leather texture right now, I think I'd choose 'Weston Vintage'."


* "Weston Vintage" will be featured at this event.