words // Brennan Hiro Williams
Next up in our series of brand profiles for Sneaker Fashion Week is a brand that's been on the outskirts of the sneaker world for years now. Hiroki Nakamura, and his label, visvim, have made great strides over the past decade, gaining a cult following from a unique approach to high-end clothing, accessories and most notably, footwear. The Japanese brand takes its inspirations from sources that span both time and geography, from ancient indigenous cultures to Americana and modern workwear.
Nakamura's splendid cut-up technique, combined with his penchant for quality and detail, has created a long list of memorable items headlined by the iconic FBT, a moccasin-sneaker hybrid originally inspired by British New Wave band Fun Boy Three (lead singer Terry Hall, perhaps better known for his work with The Specials, appears in brown tribal mocs on one of the band's album covers). The distinctive silhouette introduced visvim to a wider global fanbase, which famously includes celebrities John Mayer and Kanye West.
Today, visvim boasts several sought-after boots, as well as traditionally styled sneakers like the Kiefer, Logan and Skagway, and unmistakable hybrid designs such as the Fabro and FBT. In recent years, the brand has taken 'next level' literally, with further designations such as its 'FOLK' series denoting elevated materials and natural production processes. The end result is a growing archive of products that seems equally at home in a museum or an exclusive global retailer.
OriginalFake x Visvim Logan Low
Visvim FBT Shaman
Visvim FBT Amdo Folk
Visvim Skagway
