After 2021’s North America Roadshow GORE-TEX Studio has visited 13 like-minded individuals in different cities across Japan to talk about their personal backgrounds, local climates, favorite spots, and GORE-TEX. As a visual component, each host picked her/his favorite GORE-TEX outfit to be portrayed in. The result is a showcase of diverse styles and subcultures, captured for the GORE-TEX STUDIO JAPAN ROADSHOW.
GORE-TEX Studio: How would you describe yourself in one sentence? I am a modest French photographer living and enjoying life in the amazing city of Osaka.
GORE-TEX Studio: Tell us a bit about your city’s climate. What are your three favorite outdoor spots in the summer and the winter? What is your favorite method of transportation and why? How do you prepare for bad weather if you spend time outside? Japanese weather is hotter and more humid than the weather I’m used to at home. Osaka is in the southern part of the country, which is hotter and a little more humid than Tokyo. Since I love dressing up and wearing beanies, in particular, I do enjoy the four months of colder temperatures. I think especially today, it’s 15 degrees which is the perfect temperature to wear almost anything.
The place we are shooting today is my neighborhood Kitahama. It’s one of my favorite spots to hang out and chill during the hottest days in the summer. Along the river, you can find popular cafes with a nice view. A cafe is a perfect place to start my day on the right foot. During the winter, I spend most of my weekends out of town. It’s only a two-hour trip to the mountains in Hyogo for a snowboarding session.
My last recommendation is Nakazakicho for vintage and second-hand shopping, and also for the standing bars at night. Without any doubt, my choice would be by bicycle or chari as we say here in Osaka. It’s the easiest way to go from district to district. Easy answer! I will wear my GORE-TEX jacket, zip it up completely until my face is covered, and then pedal as fast as I can!
GORE-TEX Studio: What are you wearing today? Why are you wearing it, and did you have a particular weather scenario in mind when choosing this piece? What do you love most about your GORE-TEX product? I am wearing a beanie made by Aurélie Mathigot, a Parisian artist who I really like. I’m also wearing the same sunglasses that I wear every day, made by Kearny. My black Arc’teryx Alpha SV, and Japanese hakama pants combined with shorts, both from the brand Sillage. On my feet, I’m wearing sneakers made by a Japanese brand called Playground. Today I wanted to layer a few pieces and add some volume to my outfit with some Japanese influences. Once I zip up my GORE-TEX jacket, I feel like a modern Ninja who can survive anything.
GORE-TEX Studio: Where and when did you get this? Do you have any special memories connected to this item? If you could go anywhere, where would you like to take this piece? I got this jacket from my Canadian friend Ross here in Osaka. I haven’t made any specific memories with this jacket yet, but I will be taking it on a snowboarding trip to Nagano this winter. GORE-TEX Studio: Why do you think functional clothing has become more popular in recent years? I don’t really have the answer, but I like GORE-TEX because it helps me stay cool and dry.
GORE-TEX Studio: How do you define comfort when it comes to technical apparel? In Japan, the weather is humid most of the time, so for me, comfort means wearing outfits with enough room to breathe and move. Your outfit has to adapt to the situation. To me, real comfort is the freedom to focus on fashion. GORE-TEX Studio: What are you looking forward to in the next six months, and are there any upcoming challenges that you're excited about? Since I recently started my own path as a photographer, my goal is to contribute more to the fashion brands and magazines that I like.
“Once I zip up my GORE-TEX jacket, I feel like a modern Ninja who can survive anything.“