Concept deep interview #04｜To everyone who wears the shoes
Celebrating 10 years since its establishment, Blue Over has updated its concept statement. The new concept statement incorporates the background of the brand, the way we approach manufacturing, and the thoughts we want to share with those who wear our shoes.
[Full text of concept]
The concept is quite long, over 2500 characters. In this content, Blue Over's designer Watari and staff member Egawa, who wrote the article, will delve into the content.
Person introduction
Watari
The founder and designer of Blue Over. Tama's hobby is wood carving. My favorite car is the first generation Honda City E-AA.
Egawa
Blueover/Struct staff. Enjoys handicrafts on holidays. I would be happy if I could use what I made right away.
#03 The thoughts behind shoes
EgawaLast time, we introduced designer Watari's thoughts on the design of the Blue Over, which emphasizes walking comfort, and the selection of materials to ensure long-term comfort.
A pure and healthy relationship between things and the people who make them. Blue Over finds beauty in this and recreates it in shoemaking. In the final episode, what kind of people do you want to deliver Blue Over to? I would like to ask Mr. Watari what he wants the people who wear the shoes to feel.
yes. Please
Special shoes that are commonplace
BLUE OVER aims to create shoes with wholesome beauty. By wearing them, the relationship between the person and the shoes becomes something ordinary, yet a little special. We will play a part in protecting and nurturing the shoe industry and culture that have been passed down in local communities, as well as the people who work there, and show that we can also be part of a healthy cycle.
Egawa
Up to this point, I have spent a considerable amount of time listening to people talk about Blue Over's concept statement, but if I were to choose one of the highlights, I would say that it was the second time I talked about it, ``Blue Over is not folk art.'' I think that's the point.
Watari: Certainly. In the 10 years since the brand started, I've used the word "Mingei" every time.
Egawa
However, I am strongly influenced by it. Not the appearance, but the origin and background of “Mingei”
Watari
oh yeah
Egawa
In other words, the value inherent in Blue Over is not just what appears on the outside, but also its background... Rather than just wearing shoes, I want people to embrace the origins of shoes. Will that be the case?
Watari
I agree. Through the Blue Over shoes and brand, I hope that people will learn about the connections between the people who make them, the industry and culture that is rooted in the region, and support them. Manufacturing and its history, which have continued from the past, have been influenced by and coexisted with the nature of the production areas, and were themselves ``human activities.'' I think that the beauty that I feel in the concept of folk art is beautiful precisely because it feels sensually pleasing to me as a human being.
Egawa
Recently, we have specified the origin of each part on some of our product pages, but this is a move that is rooted in the idea that the wearer, ``become part of a healthy cycle,'' as stated in the concept statement, right?
Watari
Yeah. The phrase ``Be part of a healthy cycle'' is a bit difficult to express, but I think of it more simply and support the region that has been making shoes diligently. If you wear them with that in mind, you'll feel good too. I wish it would be received that way.
Egawa
I agree. I want to cherish this. I want to support you. I want to evoke this feeling in everyone who wears it...
Let's enjoy spiritual richness, not material richness, and live together every day. We believe that with repeated care, repair, and continued wear, the Blue Overcoat will eventually be reborn into its ``true form''. As the wearer wears it, the natural flavor will deepen over time, and it will become a special, natural item, like a friend.
Egawa
I think this part is really Blue Over, and at the same time, it's a bold expression.
Watari
A bold expression...? Which part?
Egawa
Blue Over's ``true form'' is not when the shoes are new, but when they are being worn with care...
Watari
I've always thought that way to myself. The ``true form'' of Blue Over is when it is a shoe that has been worn for a long time and has a taste, and at the same time, it has become a footprint that evokes the growth of the person who wears it. As proof that we were able to cherish the time we spent together
Egawa
That's deep
Watari
In that sense, the story of Blue Over doesn't end when the shoe is completed as a product; it continues even while you're wearing it.
Egawa
I see. That's what I want to convey to everyone who wears them.
Watari
Actually, that's not all. I always want to create things that make the people who use them (those who wear them) recognize themselves. I guess you could call it “self-affirmation.”
Egawa
Self-affirmation, right?
Watari
Nowadays there is so much information out there that it takes a lot of energy to trust it. Things that can be believed in such a world. It's not just the quality, it's the brand that you can trust. I want to be a brand that makes the person who owns it feel glad that they chose it.
Egawa
With so much information out there, when it comes to shoes, you don't have to worry anymore if you wear blue overcoats! Does that mean it becomes a kind of talisman?
It's true that if you choose things like that, you'll have a solid foundation. I feel like I can keep myself feeling good.
Watari
We live in a society of diversity, where individuals can express their opinions. While this is a very good thing, it also means that the amount of information has increased so much that it has become difficult to see the information that we want.
Egawa
That's the difficult part
Watari
If that's the case, I thought I'd talk to you and tell you what I'm thinking as I move forward with Blue Over.
Egawa
This is the very purpose of this series, but even if you become one of many, there is no reason not to make your voice heard.
Meaning of wearing blue overcoat
I hope that the people who wear these shoes will have a healthy mind and have the opportunity to spend time in peace and warmth.
Egawa
Well, to sum it up... Blue Over shoes are not only comfortable to wear, they also make you feel good, right? (lol)
Watari
I would be happy if that were the case. Let people know the background of blue overcoats and try them on. As a product, shoes are obviously focused on walking, but by knowing the brand's thoughts before choosing them, you can live a little more comfortably, and your antennae for living comfortably will become more sensitive. The scenery of your life will change just a little bit. That's the feeling
Egawa
Is it a view of life? When you realize that there are people who make not only the shoes you wear, but also the clothes you wear, and the furniture you use, and use that as a criterion when choosing things, you can certainly see the scenery. It may look different. It would be great if people could feel that way through Blue Over's content.
Watari
Well. I don't have anything to go into and talk about, so I'm embarrassed to say it myself...
The accumulation of shoemaking techniques and the people who will inherit them. And to the people who wear the shoes created by them. Blue Over wants to be a wholesome and beautiful sneaker made in Japan. We hope that these shoes will take shape over time and become memorable and beautiful for you.
Watari
Blue overs are shoes you can find everywhere, but they're not just any shoes. I want to be thought of like that. Through our shoes, we want to leave behind a legacy of people and culture, and we want those who wear our shoes to feel the beauty of the Japanese identity that has been passed down through generations. To achieve this, we believe that our shoes themselves must be made in a way that is healthy, beautiful, and can be worn for a long time.
Egawa
I agree. The truth is that in this age where we are overflowing with things and information, it is not easy to find sneakers like Blue Over and have them appreciate their quality.
Watari
Well
Egawa
But that's not a reason not to send out the message. This time, I was able to hear directly from Mr. Watari about his thoughts on Blue Over. I hope this feeling reaches the customers who support us. I hope that the store manager, Mr. Harada, will continue to spread the word at the flagship store Struct!
Watari
is not it. It's truly a brand that owes its existence to our customers who have supported us for 10 years.
Egawa
Blue Over becomes true when it is worn with care... In other words, Blue Over is made possible by the customers who wear it. Also, thank you to everyone who read this far!
Watari
thank you
