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'm a photographer and designer from Tokyo and I run a brand called i SHII.
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? We have hot summers and cold winters. We have four distinct seasons. Usually, I spend my winters in the city or by the sea, and my summers near the mountains.
My favorite method of transportation is by bicycle, I like cycling fast and feeling the fresh air. I wear water-repellent items to completely cover myself.
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’m wearing an Arc'teryx Beta AR. I like its minimal design that has hidden details, such as the drawstring that makes the hood adjustable. When I wear this piece, I feel I can face any kind of weather.
I love it because it has various functions and it’s still really comfortable.
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 bought it two years ago from Arc'teryx.
It's the best jacket for days when you don't think you'll need an umbrella, but it suddenly starts to rain. I would like to take it to a pure-white snowy mountain.
GORE-TEX Studio: Why do you think functional clothing has become more popular in recent years? I think it came from the streetwear craze.
GORE-TEX Studio: How do you define comfort when it comes to technical apparel? I would define comfort as ease of movement, and adaptability to any environment.
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? I'm hoping to unveil some exciting projects with my brand i SHII.
“I would define comfort as ease of movement, and adaptability to any environment."