Q — Hello Jun! Thank you for agreeing to this interview; we're honored to have you among our "runner profiles." How are you? Did you go for a run this morning?
A — Yes! I ran 10 km this morning. I usually run with friends, but recently, because of COVID-19, I've been running alone.
Q — This interview is mostly about running. That's a bit unusual for you; we'll try to have a good time and I'll talk as little as possible about fashion!
A — No problem.
Q — On your first trip to the UK, you thought, "So this is where punk was born?" Nowadays, many people say the same thing about "streetwear" when visiting Harajuku. Your studio is still there: how does that make you feel?
A — About London, it wasn't pejorative at all. The overcast sky (I was there in winter) and the heavy air left a lasting impression on me. I thought that atmosphere was the birthplace of punk—it was moving, not negative. The current scene in Harajuku is very different from when NIGO and I were doing NOWHERE. My studio is still there, but I rarely shop in the area; most of my friends who had shops and studios there are no longer there. I think the streetwear in the '90s, when I was traveling around Harajuku, was better than what you see today. And to be honest, I'm not sure the fashion is as "cool" as it was back then.
Q — In the past, what was your view of racing? It was “not cool,” I imagine?
A — At the time, I never imagined I would start running. I had no interest in running.
Q — What sports did you play growing up?
A — I did kendo in high school, and we also did sprints.
Q — Do you remember your “first time” racing?
A — Yes: in my late thirties, on a treadmill at the gym. I started because I was on a diet.
Q — Is running an escape for you, a moment to delve into your world and find ideas?
A — For me, running helps me manage my health, my mental and physical well-being—it's a form of meditation. It alleviates my worries and generates positive thoughts. But I wouldn't say it's directly linked to my inspirations.
Q — Music greatly influences your work. Do you run to music?
A — I usually run with friends, so we chat. When I run alone, I don't listen to music either: otherwise I can't concentrate.
Q — GYAKUSOU was innovative in its color palettes and graphic T-shirts compared to the performance offerings of the time. Did you feel something was missing? Did you want to break away from what existed?
A — For me, the running clothes I've designed aren't a "brand new" design. You don't need completely new elements for running. On the other hand, as a runner, I always think about what's useful and what colors allow me to blend into nature and the landscape. Perhaps that's what gives a sense of novelty.
Q — This collaboration opened up a million possibilities, right? Was there anything you were particularly looking forward to exploring?
A — Every season, I'm challenged by the narrow scope of running apparel. Each piece incorporates features and ideas that we couldn't do at UNDERCOVER.
Q — How did the meeting come about initially?
A — Through my old British friend Fraser Cooke at Nike, who suggested the collaboration.
Q — The first shoe you experimented with was the Nike Zoom Spider, correct? What do you run in today?
A — I use shoes from the 19SS GYAKUSOU collection.
Q — Are there any athletes you would dream of seeing run in head-to-toe GYAKUSOU in official competition?
A — I don't have any particular favorite athletes, but my favorite author, Haruki Murakami, is a fan of GYAKUSOU. I would love for him to start a race in GYAKUSOU.
Q — We're going through a very unusual time all over the world. You often write "Chaos / Balance." In this chaos, where can we look for balance?
A — I can't say anything until we find a solution.