Hiroki Nakamura is the leader of the popular brand "visvim." He continues to create products unwaveringly in a constantly changing world. We spoke with him as he travels the world about his passion for objects and his current state of mind.

--What first sparked your interest in fashion?

My mother and uncle loved fashion, so I naturally became interested in it from a young age. When I was in elementary school, I started to think, "I want to dress like this, I have to wear these jeans." It wasn't until I was about 13 or 14 that I began to think about "fashion" and "what to wear." I remember often going shopping for unique jeans with my younger brother and friends.

--You said you became interested in fashion during adolescence. Were you strongly conscious of wanting to be popular or stylish at the time?

Regardless of whether you're adolescent or not, I believe that everyone unconsciously has a desire to attract attention somewhere, and this can lead to self-expression, like, "I'm particular about this, so I'm different from that person." I think I had a strong desire to make my own decisions and wear what I like. My daughter sometimes doesn't seem to get it even when I encourage her, so I think it's important to communicate your passion for the item.

For example, the Visvim corduroy pants I'm wearing today are about five years old, and the pockets are full of holes, but a product made from the inside out still exudes something truly special. At the same time, I try to think deeply about myself as a creator—what kind of clothes I want to wear, what I want to make, what I want to do, and what kind of person I want to be.

--Did this commitment lead to the creation of your own brand?

When I was in my teens and early twenties, collecting things I liked, I would constantly wonder, "Why do I want this and not that?" Then, in my late twenties, I began to think, "I want to make things that I want to wear and that I like," and that's how it all began.

--Have your hobbies and interests changed over the years?

I've always wanted to do what I love, so this job of creating things together with people from all over the world who understand each other is like a hobby to me. If I'm going to create something, I want to create something good, something that will last. So, I try out various approaches, trying different approaches in my own way.

The other day, when I bought a knife made by a Japanese swordsmith, he explained to me, "Why is this knife different from ordinary ones?" and I listened intently for about an hour (laughs). Those kinds of things are inspiring and I enjoy them a lot.

I'm also influenced by my environment, so I like places with an organic atmosphere and a comfortable space. Recently, our production team moved to a house surrounded by forest, and we really like the natural light that fills the room.

--What do you feel when you travel around the world for work?

I've been living a life of constant travel every day since I was 18, and it's fascinating how different the beautiful scenery is in each country and region. I think it's the mountains, rivers, and air that influences it, but in Japan, pale colors and grays look beautiful. Also, isn't it strawberry season right now? Japanese strawberries are incredibly delicious. Amaou strawberries are truly delicious. If you stay in Japan for a long time, you tend to forget that kind of feeling.

I walk around the world in Hong Kong, Los Angeles, New York, and other places and meet all kinds of customers, and those who wear Visvim seem to have the same quality, or rather, they all seem similar. That makes me really happy. I realize that communication is possible through products, so I try to convey my thoughts and feelings clearly through my products.

In the past, like a game of telephone, with different people's filters, things would end up completely different, and I think that was what made products interesting. But now, with the internet making the world flat, the only way to intentionally change that is for the creators to take action. I believe that action will bring about change.

--The pop-up shop "visvim F.I.L. INDIGO CAMPING TRAILER" is scheduled to open at Isetan Shinjuku The Stage from April 10th to 16th.

Pop-up shops only have time restrictions, but I always aim to create a "space that is true to itself." Please look forward to it.

*Continued in Vol. 2