The Man Behind Visvim

Several years back, Hypebeast asked visvim creator Hiroki Nakamura during an interview, 

"visvim's designs are long-lasting and develop unique appearances over time. What's your infatuation with stylish and functional apparel?"

He then answers with the perfect reason as to why I am sold on his brand and more importantly, brand concept that he is trying to mold over time: 

"I always liked old stuff, vintage products. I've collected all sorts of things. When I launched visvim in 2000 and started creating products myself, I became passionate about making things that would "stay with you" for a long time. Initially, I focused on footwear. I didn't want to create simply attractive designs, I wanted to create something different to existing footwear - something more substantial based on my personal perspective. I think that things that "stay with you" over the years are always meaningful, and that's especially true of footwear. You can feel comfortable the moment you put a shoe on. There's also a real pleasure in owning something with intrinsic value and in developing a fondness for something you've owned for a long time. It's certainly one way to get true enjoyment from products. My role is to package these concepts into products for the consumer."

Amen, brother. Amen.

High quality craftsmanship in menswear that is initially designed to be "created from the inside out" in hopes of creating finishing products that not only "stay with you" but "only gets more beautiful over time" - that's what the Japanese brand visvim preaches. How perfect is that?

Staying true to its roots in paying close attention to the sophisticated details in traditional hand-stitching and natural indigo dyes, this Japanese line beautifully weaves together the mixed-triage of Americana/urban-folk/laid-back bohemian style for men.

A voice of genuine passion for the craft of creating well-thought out pieces and for the artisan of traditional dying techniques, the everything-done-by-hand process behind each and every piece that is made is simply jaw-dropping. 

The man behind visvim, Hiroki Nakamura, stresses that more than just being a popular brand that satisfies the consumer's request, he envisions the importance in what he describes to be the longevity of a product.

To create a brand that looks to step away from the disposable fast fashion concept many consumers tend to cling on to, visvim aims to draw inspiration from the vintage things created by hand in the past that seem to long outlive their due date and somehow in a way even look better over time.

You may ask, is that even possible? I concur. To think that pieces can be made to redefine something, like time, that can't be beat or outrun, is simply amazing. 

"I want to learn from the past and pass something on to the future. 

That would be kinda the dream."

Yes, with all things of quality, there comes a price, especially in the world of fashion. Although inhibitive for most people to purchase or want to spend for a pair of jeans or basic tee, you can be sure to bet on one thing - the craftsmanship gone into each of the pieces, large or small, will not be lacking in any way.

That's the take home message.

Take a peek for yourself at some of the pieces from the visvim lookbook.