STRIDE
“There are people behind these products. We want our clientele
to react to our products as the fruits of the hard work of talented,
hard-working people. It is not just about product itself.”
Bottom right: Wave Lo Black Ocean
LE FLOW footwear's signature feature is its paint-
injected soles. What inspired this touch?
It really started with a painter called Akihito
Takuma. I loved his paintings. He has a special drying
technique, which really got me thinking hard on
how I could incorporate mixing different paints into
footwear. I wanted to do something different instead of
just splash painting on the shoe. I started brainstorming
and experimenting with my sole factory on how it
can be done. We then started injecting liquid rubber
with paints, and while the result was amazing, the
sole factory told me that there was a “problem”. Each
shoe is going to be different. I was like, “Wow that is
amazing! That's what I want! Let's do it and make it
our signature.”
What is admirable about your product is the
individuality each shoe possesses with the paint-
injected soles. How has your clients reacted to this
artistic touch?
I think the Asian markets were the first to really love
and embrace it. Some people are a bit scared and unsure
of it because they are afraid not to know what the final
product will look like. But generally the feedback is
great, and people have been intrigued.
How would you describe the designer sneaker
industry today? How do you run LE FLOW as a
response to these conditions?
I would say that the designer sneaker market is super
strong and super dynamic but very brand-oriented like
the big brands. They are the automatic leaders. The way I
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