_IN PROCESS
EP. 15 | VISVIM
In this episode of _IN PROCESS, we’re taking a look at VISVIM. VISVIM is making arguably the highest quality clothing on Earth right now. And they’re not doing it using luxury materials and marketing. Instead, VISVIM is entirely focused on using time-honored, expert-level craftsmanship.
Hiroki Nakamura started Visvim in 2000, after leaving his 8 year design position at Burton Snowboards Japan. Hiroki is from Tokyo, and as a young man, he had ambitions of being an outdoorsman. He would spend time in Alaska camping, snowboarding, and feeling the pull of nature.
Northern Alaska brought him in touch with many local indigenous groups. Hiroki was exposed to lives and communities that had lived in their ways for countless centuries. Their ornaments had true meaning, their tools served true purpose, and function for their body & culture. Certain clothes served the purpose of actual living, while others were ceremonial. These garments weren’t made for the purpose of consumerism; rather they were made for the individual- to serve their purpose for as long as possible.
Hiroki built out a shoe to match a pair frequently worn by Terry Hall of the British New Wave Band, FUN BOY THREE. With that, the Visvim FBT sneaker was born.
The design was a mix of old and new; it was a native moccasin with a modern sole. Hiroki used the highest grade leathers and suedes, hand stitching and beadwork, and natural vegetable dyes. Hiroki’s shoes use calfskin, deer skin, and other meticulously sourced materials.
Visvim is reportedly one of the highest quality clothing brands on Earth. The denim is woven from organic cotton on traditional looms, then hand dyed using natural, living bacteria. All of the fabric that Visvim uses is made in house, from traditional methods. The raw materials come from the same lands that people have shared with nature for thousands of years. Navajo textiles are sewn together Ainu tribal techniques. Mud and clay minerals are used to color animal hides.
Visvim comes from someone’s hands in Japan, using techniques from France and materials from New Mexico. Each piece isn’t limited artificially- but because of the time & dedication that goes into the manufacturing process. Although Visvim is truly in a class all it’s own, Hiroki Nakamura does have a few peers. Yvon Chounard of Patagonia, Errolson Hugh of ACRONYM, and Massimo Osti of Stone Island.
Hiroki’s Japanese heritage is rooted in a love and respect for craftsmanship. He deeply admires ‘native’ ‘indigenous’ ‘first people’, and he wants to embody the true modern version of their methods. Visvim is focused on highlighting the exceptional design of traditional, folk people.
Visvim understands the purity of nature and those that live closest to it. The ‘natural’ life takes tremendous focus and dedication, but the reward is a deep appreciation and connection to every thread of existence. Hiroki Nakamura is constantly working with the natural world to FIND BETTER WAY TO BE AS YOU WERE ALWAYS MEANT TO BE.
That’s what it means to Push Product.
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