Somebody with ZERO-TEX® #03
"Somebody with ZERO-TEX®" is a series that focuses on wonderful people, products, and experiences that are following their own path, regardless of genre or scene. This time, we focus on the outdoor brand Footmark Natural, which has long been in partnership with ZERO-TEX. Through the words of Mr. Fujiie, who leads the brand, we will unravel the reasons for choosing ZERO-TEX® and its appeal.
From Diapers to Swim Caps, and On to the Outdoors...
"I was the man who sold the most swimming caps in Japan. We're talking hundreds of thousands of units to large shopping malls..."
Sharing his own personal history, Mr. Fujiie, the general producer of Footmark Natural, explained the company's past with great care. Starting out with diaper covers in 1946, Footmark Co., Ltd. is a long-established company that boasts a high market share in swimming gear. Running through its history is a spirit of flexible craftsmanship that has adapted to the times.
The Concept "Playing on the Borderline Between Mountains and Rivers" Born from Footmark's Identity
"It's hard to outfit the whole family in high-performance gear. So, I thought it would be interesting to propose high-performance, affordable wear, and that's how it all started."
What Mr. Fujiie wouldn't compromise on was a lifestyle that incorporates the water, backed by their heritage in swimwear. "Because we have the foundation of Footmark, we arrived at the concept of 'Playing on the Borderline Between Mountains and Rivers.' I felt it wouldn't make sense to create things unrelated to water areas."
"There was a time when I wanted to create clothing that looked like regular everyday wear but could also handle the rain... That's when I found ZERO-TEX® at an exhibition, and we went on to commercialize it within a few months."
What Mr. Fujiie valued most was the "natural feel and high water repellency" of the ZERO-TEX® fabric. He says what struck a chord with him was that it provided robust rain protection while not having the texture of a noisy, rustling shell jacket.
"We had some serious rain during a shoot at Lake Yamanakako recently, and the staff were truly amazed when I had them wear it."
High Hopes for Future Collaborations with ZERO-TEX®!
"In recent years, the seasons have become ambiguous, and traditional autumn/winter and spring/summer items no longer apply. We are focusing heavily on shirts specialized for functionality, so I think it would be interesting to do something with ZERO-TEX®."
