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 buyer for a boutique in Kyoto.
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? Kyoto gets very hot in the summer and very cold in the winter. My favorite spots in Kyoto are Kuramadera Temple, Okazaki Park, and the Iwakura neighborhood. I mainly get around by bicycle, as it’s easy to get to places in Kyoto that are slightly outside the center. Cycling is a lot more convenient for short trips, and I prefer cycling more than taking the bus or train. I work in fashion, and I think I have a considered approach to what I wear every day. In particular, I carry GORE-TEX items in my bag, and I like wearing GORE-TEX footwear if the weather isn't great.
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? The weather isn’t so bad these days, but it's already getting cold in Kyoto, so I'm wearing an Arc’teryx mid-layer to be prepared for the cold. It’s also waterproof, which makes it a great choice in case of sudden rain It’s designed based on the structure of the human body, and to facilitate ease of movement. The yellow color is very much in. I also like the fact that it contrasts against the neutral tone of my jacket.
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 online a few years ago. I have one special memory from when I first wore it. I was surprised to realize that despite it being quite lightweight, it provides great protection and insulation against the cold. Much better than I was expecting. Recently, I’ve become more interested in outdoor activities, such as mountaineering and camping. I haven't packed this Arc’teryx piece with me just yet, but I think I will in the future.
GORE-TEX Studio: Why do you think functional clothing has become more popular in recent years? I think one big factor is the pandemic, as many of us wanted to escape the city and spend time outdoors. I think the demand for functional clothing is growing amongst fashionable people, and as the pandemic restrictions are gradually easing, people are becoming more incentivized to go out and wear colorful outdoor pieces. Outdoor colors like my Arc’teryx layer bring something new and fresh to my style, and I think the appeal goes beyond just functional aspects.
GORE-TEX Studio: How do you define comfort when it comes to technical apparel? Comfortable and functional clothing makes life less stressful. Functional clothing helps me adapt to all kinds of environments.
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? Creatively, I try to remain open to many influences so that I am always evolving. I want to keep learning every day, keeping a close eye on my next steps.
“Outdoor colors like my Arc’teryx layer bring something new and fresh to my style, and I think the appeal goes beyond just functional aspects.“