Winiche & Co.’s KATSU on the Emotional Memories Hidden in Collecting Things

I think that decay is art, and I love sneakers.

Takano: Well, I sent you “ETA” by NewJeans. It’s great. I heard that you and your daughter are listening to it together.

Celeina: I also received a message from a listener. “I used to collect a lot of sneakers, but they have all been hydrolyzed and shattered. What are the core collectors doing about it?” You mentioned earlier that some of them have been hydrolyzed.

KATSU: I believe that hydrolysis will definitely occur, so I have not taken any measures.

Takano: So, you are not going to fight against degradation over time?

KATSU: Yes. I love sneakers because I consider decay to be an art form.

Celeina: Deep.

Takano: You brought your sneakers to the studio today.

KATSU: They are the Nike Mag sneakers worn in “Back to the Future 2,” the model that made me fall in love with sneakers in the first place.

Takano: They are so cool. I remember these.

KATSU: You wore these shoes and rode on a flying board.

Takano: When I pressed the button, it lit up.

Celeina: It’s amazing how it glows.

Takano: It’s cool.

Celeina:Does it run on batteries?

KATSU: It is rechargeable.

Celeina: It’s rechargeable?　Super high-tech. Are you going to wear these too, KATSU?

KATSU: I wore these when I dressed up as Marty McFly for Halloween.

Takano: They are great. I don’t think I’ll be able to wear them, though.

Celeina: Thank you for bringing these precious things.

Takano: I’d like to give you a picture or something later.

KATSU: Yes, I should have brought my hoverboard with me.

Celeina: You have it.

KATSU: It’s a repro, but it doesn’t float (haha).

Takano: If it floats, your technique is amazing.

Celeina: We’re going to start another interview (haha). As I mentioned at the beginning of this interview, socks are an item that you are interested in right now, and “Winiche & Co.” also sells “Slouch socks,” which were originally developed by you, right?

KATSU: That’s right.

Celeina：You have brought these socks to the studio, but what are the features of these socks?

KATSU: The toes are designed to have compression like sports socks.

Celeina：They are a bit tight around the toes.

KATSU: That’s right. But the ribbed part is knit very loosely, so there is no pressure at all.

Celeina：How did you come up with this design?

KATSU: Tube socks become synonymous with street socks, but then the more you wear them, the more the heel of the sock comes toward the toe in the sneaker.

Celeina：I know what you mean!

Takano: I totally understand.

KATSU: I started making these socks to solve that problem.

Celeina：This is a must buy.

Takano: Hey, I’ll buy them. I really think that this is a problem for all human beings. With these, they are long to begin with, and the instep here is also cushioned.

KATSU: It’s pressurized.

Takano: It fits securely and does not slip off.

Celeina: It means that you can enjoy fashion with this loose socks part while still having the functionality of not slipping off.

KATSU: That’s right. I’m also experimenting with coloring and colors to match with sneakers.

Takano: The function and design are both excellent. I will definitely buy these.

Celeina: We can find this on the official Winiche & Co. website.

KATSU: Yes, it is on sale to rave reviews.

Celeina: I hope listeners will check it out. We are asking you to introduce your friends to us through “FIST BUMP,” a circle of friends connected by the goo touch.

KATSU：This is photographer RK.

Celeina：What is your relationship with him?

KATSU: We were originally on the same running team, and I started asking him for work. Also, I was the one who told him to quit his job and become a professional, so I wanted to introduce him to the company at a time like this.

Takano: I gave him a turning point in his life.

Celeina: In a word, what kind of person are you?

KATSU: An idiot.

Celeina：No, no (haha).

KATSU: He is an idiot in a good way and a bad way. I would be very happy if you could hear what RK has to say tomorrow.

Takano: Tomorrow we will welcome photographer RK.

Celeina: “FIST BUMP”, today we welcome Mr. KATSU of the apparel brand “Winiche & Co.”, a professional collector of things. Thank you very much.