--You've done a lot of collaborations in your collections.

The best part of collaborations is having fun. When collaborating with artists, we expand on the inspiration they get from Happy Socks and then incorporate Happy Socks patterns into other products. We're creative, so we love trying new things.

As I said at the beginning, we want everyone to feel good. For example, when you wake up in the morning and put on colorful socks, you choose them based on your mood that day, right? Are you feeling pink? Red? Or blue? I think choosing socks can be a bit of fun. This fun can be found not just in the socks, but also in the collaborative items.

--You collaborate with a wide range of companies, from artists to traditional companies.

I receive collaboration requests from a variety of companies. For example, when I come to Japan and someone tells me, "This person is an active artist in Japan, so you should get in touch," I'll probably email them first. I communicate with a lot of people like that, meeting them for lunch and chatting, and then we decide to do something together. When I start communicating, I don't know if it will lead to a job. Okay, let's do it, and then I'll sketch out design ideas on some paper I've found lying around.

In the case of David LaChapelle, I really love his photography and art, and I thought it would be interesting to do something together, so I emailed him. Then I just waited. I didn't follow up. The reason is that if I started out by saying, "Let's do a project together," the collaboration would become formulaic. That would be boring. The key to making it interesting is to talk. It's even more fun over a beer (laughs). The same goes for musician Mike Snow. I liked his music, so I emailed him.

Sometimes I get a reply after about two months, and sometimes I don't even get a reply at all. If I'm not interested, I might not reply at all (laughs). So, collaborating is a very organic process.

--Your unique creativity is not just expressed in socks, but in other items as well.

For us, the pocket collection is a collaboration, but for other brands, socks are accessories. Happy Socks is the opposite. For example, you wake up in the morning, put on your underwear and socks, and then go to make coffee. So, what if your coffee mug had a sock pattern, or your toothbrush matched your socks? We want to incorporate these everyday objects into our designs and create a fun atmosphere.

--In Japan, you've opened a shop in Shinjuku Lumine.

Lumine, like Parco, is a place where young people, older people, businessmen, fashion-conscious people, and all kinds of people come and go, and Happy Socks is the epitome of Happy Socks. The designs, the colors, and Happy Socks are for everyone.

--How do you plan to expand in Japan from now on?

As long as people love Happy Socks, we want to continue expanding our offerings. Since opening three stores in major terminals, we've been inundated with offers to open new stores, which is a great blessing.

--I think Japanese people, in particular, have a craving for color.

I agree. I've been traveling back and forth to Japan for the past four and a half years, and over the past two years or so, I've noticed more smiles on the streets of Japan, and fashion has become more colorful. I always get a positive impression of Japanese people, but now I feel they've become even more positive.

--Can you tell us about the Fall/Winter 2013 collection?

My favorite is this paisley pattern. Victor's grandmother had a couch in her house, and the fabric inspired it. Victor is more inspired by architecture, furniture, and everyday life than fashion.

--Where do you sell the most?

The United States. We have a very large distributor there. Also, I think wearing designer socks was a new experience for Americans. Sports socks are synonymous with America (laughs). It must have been quick to catch on.

--Tom Browne once said, "Socks showing from the bottom of a man's pants are like cleavage on a woman's chest," and that may be why Happy Socks became so popular in the US.

There wasn't an opportunity for men to show off their socks before. But now, elites like lawyers and bankers wear Happy Socks' colorful designer socks.

--Japanese banks haven't gotten to that stage yet, have they? I think even Tom Browne would have a hard time (laughs).