Tanaka Tomoyuki, known for his work as a DJ and producer, has an insatiable interest in various fields such as food, fashion, watches, cars, art, and literature. Among these, his collection of vintage wear is particularly famous. He doesn't just enjoy looking at them; he wears and uses them himself. Our conversation began with his vintage shoes.
He replaces the soles of old vintage shoes with Vibram soles and continues to wear them.
ー I'd like to interview you about Vibram soles. How did you first get involved with Vibram?
Tanaka: Let's start with soles. I love vintage clothing and shoes. When I look at vintage shoes, I pay closer attention to the soles. I once found a pair of lineman shoes in the U.S. with a cable-patterned design, which I found fascinating. Although they weren't Vibram, they were unique and had a non-slip design. As a shoe enthusiast, I enjoy exploring different soles. I have many shoes at home, including vintage ones with leather and plastic soles. Some are too slippery to wear, so I replace them with Vibram soles.
ー You replace them yourself?
Tanaka: I take them to a repair shop! (laughs) I order Vibram soles and have them replaced. I do this a lot! Leather soles look stylish but are slippery and wear out quickly. When they wear down, I replace them with thin Vibram soles. Vibram is essential for making vintage shoes wearable. Some synthetic leather soles are as slippery as ice skates! (laughs)
ー On the day of the interview, we couldn't see the shoes, but we took photos later. Do synthetic leather soles have any tread?
Tanaka: No, they're completely smooth. The leather is replaced with synthetic material, making them as slippery as ice skates. (laughs)
ー There are still shoes with synthetic leather soles today. They're substitutes for real leather, right?
Tanaka: Yes, and when they become vintage, they gain value.
ー So, they become display pieces? But you replace them with Vibram soles to wear them?
Tanaka: Usually, they would be for display, but I want to wear them. So, I replace the soles with Vibram to make them practical. Vibram is amazing. It's a brand specializing in soles, which is impressive. The history of Vibram, started by an Italian mountaineer, adds to its brand value. The yellow logo signifies quality.
ー Thank you! What made you aware of Vibram?
Tanaka: I discovered Vibram through magazines like "POPEYE," similar to how I learned about MA-1 jackets and Levi's. I recognized Vibram as a brand, not just a sole shape. The yellow logo means it's genuine. This interview made me appreciate Vibram more, and now I want to find vintage Vibram soles.
ー The showroom has replicas of old soles also. You might find what you're looking for.
Tanaka: Vibram's impact is significant. Few brands have such an impact with just soles. Dr. Martens and Nike Air are famous, but they don't supply other brands. Vibram, however, protects the soles of various brands and is available at repair shops. It feels like magic, making shoes less slippery. Vibram holds a unique position in fashion, offering unmatched authenticity.
ー Soles are often overlooked, making communication about them challenging.
Tanaka: Fashion enthusiasts understand Vibram. The brand has absolute trust.
A new approach of replacing the soles of vintage felt boots with Vibram soles. Even if you're not a fan of vintage clothing, it's an interesting and informative topic. Next time, we'll discuss the intricate functions of the soles.
Tomoyuki Tanaka
FPM DJ / Producer
Born on July 6, 1966, in Kyoto City.
In 1995, he made his major debut with the track "Jet House" under his solo project Fantastic Plastic Machine (FPM), included in Pizzicato Five's album "Romantic '96."
In 1997, he released his first album, "The Fantastic Plastic Machine."
He has released a total of eight albums and produced numerous tracks for various artists. He has also remixed over 100 tracks for artists such as FATBOY SLIM, Tomoyasu Hotei, Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, UNICORN, Quruli, and Sakanaction.
Tanaka has deep knowledge and interest in food, fashion, watches, cars, art, and literature, and is particularly known as a collector/enthusiast of vintage wear. Utilizing his experience as a magazine editor, he has contributed to newspapers and magazines extensively.
He replaces the soles of old vintage shoes with Vibram soles and continues to wear them.
ー I'd like to interview you about Vibram soles. How did you first get involved with Vibram?
Tanaka: Let's start with soles. I love vintage clothing and shoes. When I look at vintage shoes, I pay closer attention to the soles. I once found a pair of lineman shoes in the U.S. with a cable-patterned design, which I found fascinating. Although they weren't Vibram, they were unique and had a non-slip design. As a shoe enthusiast, I enjoy exploring different soles. I have many shoes at home, including vintage ones with leather and plastic soles. Some are too slippery to wear, so I replace them with Vibram soles.
ー You replace them yourself?
Tanaka: I take them to a repair shop! (laughs) I order Vibram soles and have them replaced. I do this a lot! Leather soles look stylish but are slippery and wear out quickly. When they wear down, I replace them with thin Vibram soles. Vibram is essential for making vintage shoes wearable. Some synthetic leather soles are as slippery as ice skates! (laughs)
ー On the day of the interview, we couldn't see the shoes, but we took photos later. Do synthetic leather soles have any tread?
Tanaka: No, they're completely smooth. The leather is replaced with synthetic material, making them as slippery as ice skates. (laughs)
ー There are still shoes with synthetic leather soles today. They're substitutes for real leather, right?
Tanaka: Yes, and when they become vintage, they gain value.
ー So, they become display pieces? But you replace them with Vibram soles to wear them?
Tanaka: Usually, they would be for display, but I want to wear them. So, I replace the soles with Vibram to make them practical. Vibram is amazing. It's a brand specializing in soles, which is impressive. The history of Vibram, started by an Italian mountaineer, adds to its brand value. The yellow logo signifies quality.
ー Thank you! What made you aware of Vibram?
Tanaka: I discovered Vibram through magazines like "POPEYE," similar to how I learned about MA-1 jackets and Levi's. I recognized Vibram as a brand, not just a sole shape. The yellow logo means it's genuine. This interview made me appreciate Vibram more, and now I want to find vintage Vibram soles.
ー The showroom has replicas of old soles also. You might find what you're looking for.
Tanaka: Vibram's impact is significant. Few brands have such an impact with just soles. Dr. Martens and Nike Air are famous, but they don't supply other brands. Vibram, however, protects the soles of various brands and is available at repair shops. It feels like magic, making shoes less slippery. Vibram holds a unique position in fashion, offering unmatched authenticity.
ー Soles are often overlooked, making communication about them challenging.
Tanaka: Fashion enthusiasts understand Vibram. The brand has absolute trust.
A new approach of replacing the soles of vintage felt boots with Vibram soles. Even if you're not a fan of vintage clothing, it's an interesting and informative topic. Next time, we'll discuss the intricate functions of the soles.
Tomoyuki Tanaka
FPM DJ / Producer
Born on July 6, 1966, in Kyoto City.
In 1995, he made his major debut with the track "Jet House" under his solo project Fantastic Plastic Machine (FPM), included in Pizzicato Five's album "Romantic '96."
In 1997, he released his first album, "The Fantastic Plastic Machine."
He has released a total of eight albums and produced numerous tracks for various artists. He has also remixed over 100 tracks for artists such as FATBOY SLIM, Tomoyasu Hotei, Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, UNICORN, Quruli, and Sakanaction.
Tanaka has deep knowledge and interest in food, fashion, watches, cars, art, and literature, and is particularly known as a collector/enthusiast of vintage wear. Utilizing his experience as a magazine editor, he has contributed to newspapers and magazines extensively.
While dressing down, Vibram helps to maintain balance. Last time, we heard about replacing the soles of old shoes and wearing them. This time, we talked about your own Vibram shoes and, in a reverse interview, former editor Tanaka shared insights into the world of Vibram (laughs).
ー Do you have any memorable outsoles?
Tanaka: Earlier, I mentioned resin soles, but I often have thin Vibram soles added to leather-soled shoes. I wear them a lot more with Vibram soles. Sometimes, I choose shoes specifically because they have Vibram soles, even over leather soles.
ー So, you start with the shoes you want?
Tanaka: Yes, I once bought shoes to match my fashion, with uppers designed to go with suits. They had Vibram soles, making them suitable for casual wear. The Vibram brand balances the look. Even luxury brands sometimes use Vibram soles, though they don't show the logo. The yellow logo gives a sense of security. I remember buying Gucci bit loafers with Vibram soles during Tom Ford's era. They had a dressy upper with the volume and reliability of Vibram. I wore them a lot. I thought about selling them at a flea market but couldn't part with them. I can't find them now, though.
ー That was likely Vibram.
Tanaka: Using Vibram adds a sense of collaboration. (laughs)
Interviewer: You mentioned adding Vibram sheets to leather soles. Is it for functionality?
Tanaka: Yes, it's functional. Even if I don't specify Vibram at the repair shop, I'm happy when they use it. There are many patterns I've never seen before.
Interviewer: If you visit our showroom, you'll see over 100 displayed soles. We have hundreds in stock.
Tanaka: Hundreds! How many do you develop?
Interviewer: About 300 types annually.
Tanaka: Are there high-performance ones?
Interviewer: Yes, we have soles that grip well on ice. We have a machine to test this, though it's not open to the public. Recently, a visitor tried it, and the shoes gripped the ice so well that the equipment moved. (laughs)
Tanaka: I'd like those for winter in Sapporo.
ー We also test grip on a 45-degree wet stone surface. People are amazed by the grip.
Tanaka: I'd like those too. Vibram makes practical shoes. Replacing resin soles with Vibram made them usable again. (laughs)
Interviewer: Different rubber compositions are used for different conditions, like winter roads in Hokkaido or wet rocks. We start by discussing where the shoes will be used.
Tanaka: Even if I only go to Sapporo a few times a year, I'd like non-slip shoes. I once bought rubber soles for snow in Sapporo, but they didn't work well. Overboots would be nice too.
Interviewer: We have those. How do you find Vibram's comfort?
Tanaka: I haven't thought about it much, but they feel soft and sticky, which is good.
ー We have soles designed for comfort. When replacing soles, you can choose based on where you'll wear them. Replacing vintage shoe soles with Vibram might become popular among young people. I'm glad you mentioned the sheets.
Tanaka: That's my main focus. I once bought 1940s golf shoes with dangerous old spikes. I replaced them with Vibram. Many vintage soccer and hiking shoes are also resoled with Vibram. I value vintage, but I replace the soles with Vibram. Do you make anything besides soles?
ー Yes, like door stoppers and coasters.
Tanaka: I see, for non-slip purposes.
ー We also make dog shoes.
Tanaka: I'd like those for my dog. Non-slip items are great.
ー We have FiveFingers footwear and bike pedal covers.
Tanaka: Wet stairs are often slippery. Non-slip stair materials with the Vibram logo would sell well. (laughs)
ー We also make yoga mats and keychains. FiveFingers are popular for yoga and martial arts. We also make heel pin lifts.
Tanaka: They seem sturdy. It's nice to have color options. I didn't realize that. Playing with colors is fun. Sole fashion could be a trend.
ー Vibram soles maintain performance regardless of color. We can match any Pantone color.
Tanaka: That allows for artist collaborations. Imagine art on the soles that don't slip. That's amazing!
ー Thank you for the inspiring conversation. Your questions helped reveal lesser-known aspects of Vibram. This interview was unique to you. Thank you.
Tomoyuki Tanaka
FPM DJ / Producer
ー Do you have any memorable outsoles?
Tanaka: Earlier, I mentioned resin soles, but I often have thin Vibram soles added to leather-soled shoes. I wear them a lot more with Vibram soles. Sometimes, I choose shoes specifically because they have Vibram soles, even over leather soles.
ー So, you start with the shoes you want?
Tanaka: Yes, I once bought shoes to match my fashion, with uppers designed to go with suits. They had Vibram soles, making them suitable for casual wear. The Vibram brand balances the look. Even luxury brands sometimes use Vibram soles, though they don't show the logo. The yellow logo gives a sense of security. I remember buying Gucci bit loafers with Vibram soles during Tom Ford's era. They had a dressy upper with the volume and reliability of Vibram. I wore them a lot. I thought about selling them at a flea market but couldn't part with them. I can't find them now, though.
ー That was likely Vibram.
Tanaka: Using Vibram adds a sense of collaboration. (laughs)
Interviewer: You mentioned adding Vibram sheets to leather soles. Is it for functionality?
Tanaka: Yes, it's functional. Even if I don't specify Vibram at the repair shop, I'm happy when they use it. There are many patterns I've never seen before.
Interviewer: If you visit our showroom, you'll see over 100 displayed soles. We have hundreds in stock.
Tanaka: Hundreds! How many do you develop?
Interviewer: About 300 types annually.
Tanaka: Are there high-performance ones?
Interviewer: Yes, we have soles that grip well on ice. We have a machine to test this, though it's not open to the public. Recently, a visitor tried it, and the shoes gripped the ice so well that the equipment moved. (laughs)
Tanaka: I'd like those for winter in Sapporo.
ー We also test grip on a 45-degree wet stone surface. People are amazed by the grip.
Tanaka: I'd like those too. Vibram makes practical shoes. Replacing resin soles with Vibram made them usable again. (laughs)
Interviewer: Different rubber compositions are used for different conditions, like winter roads in Hokkaido or wet rocks. We start by discussing where the shoes will be used.
Tanaka: Even if I only go to Sapporo a few times a year, I'd like non-slip shoes. I once bought rubber soles for snow in Sapporo, but they didn't work well. Overboots would be nice too.
Interviewer: We have those. How do you find Vibram's comfort?
Tanaka: I haven't thought about it much, but they feel soft and sticky, which is good.
ー We have soles designed for comfort. When replacing soles, you can choose based on where you'll wear them. Replacing vintage shoe soles with Vibram might become popular among young people. I'm glad you mentioned the sheets.
Tanaka: That's my main focus. I once bought 1940s golf shoes with dangerous old spikes. I replaced them with Vibram. Many vintage soccer and hiking shoes are also resoled with Vibram. I value vintage, but I replace the soles with Vibram. Do you make anything besides soles?
ー Yes, like door stoppers and coasters.
Tanaka: I see, for non-slip purposes.
ー We also make dog shoes.
Tanaka: I'd like those for my dog. Non-slip items are great.
ー We have FiveFingers footwear and bike pedal covers.
Tanaka: Wet stairs are often slippery. Non-slip stair materials with the Vibram logo would sell well. (laughs)
ー We also make yoga mats and keychains. FiveFingers are popular for yoga and martial arts. We also make heel pin lifts.
Tanaka: They seem sturdy. It's nice to have color options. I didn't realize that. Playing with colors is fun. Sole fashion could be a trend.
ー Vibram soles maintain performance regardless of color. We can match any Pantone color.
Tanaka: That allows for artist collaborations. Imagine art on the soles that don't slip. That's amazing!
ー Thank you for the inspiring conversation. Your questions helped reveal lesser-known aspects of Vibram. This interview was unique to you. Thank you.
Tomoyuki Tanaka
FPM DJ / Producer
