Simple Shoes Japan, the Japanese distributor of US brand Simple(R) shoes, began selling two of Simple(R)'s signature products, which were sold in the 1990s, primarily on its official online store in March 2021.
O.S.Sneaker canvas DENIM (pronounced: OS sneaker canvas denim)
O.S.Sneaker canvas DENIM
Price: ¥8,800 (tax included)
Sizes: US 5.0 (23.0 cm) - US 11.0 (29.0 cm)
Color: Denim (light blue)
Available at: Simple official online store https://simpleshoes.stores.jp
In March 2020, Simple(R) resumed sales in Japan for the first time in about 10 years. The first item to be re-released after its revival was the brand's signature, long-loved O.S.Sneaker suede (pronounced: OS sneaker suede). This signature product is a canvas type with all the suede replaced with canvas. The O.S.Sneaker suede is a product that symbolizes Simple(R) when it was released in 1993. It was such a beloved sneaker that it continued to be sold until the brand was discontinued in 2010.
It was revived in the US in 2015 and in Japan in 2019 thanks to crowdfunding, and in both cases the O.S.Sneaker suede was given as a reward for support.
The O.S.Sneaker canvas, with its canvas upper material, was released in 1996 in response to feedback that "suede is good, but we wanted something lighter." Similar feedback has led to its re-launch after nearly 25 years.
Because suede and canvas materials stretch and contract differently, changing the material necessitates changes to everything from patterns to manufacturing processes. We have reviewed the design from the development stage to faithfully reproduce the O.S.Sneaker design without compromising it. For example, the toe cap (the part that protects the toes). While the O.S.Sneaker suede is covered and sewn together, the O.S.Sneaker canvas faithfully reproduces it with imitation stitching.
O.S.Sneaker suede (Color: Black, Cherry)
The O.S. in O.S.Sneaker stands for Old School. Literally translated, it means "old school," which can mean "outdated" or "outdated." However, it also carries a positive connotation of being "long-loved" or "unique and long-standing," implying praise that "it should be passed on to the next generation." The O.S. Sneaker is truly a sneaker that has been loved for a long time.
Simple®︎Kickball outsole
The outsole (shoe bottom) is named Simple(R)︎Kickball outsole. Kickball is a ball game that everyone in America grew up playing. It is positioned similarly to dodgeball in Japan. The ball used in kickball was incorporated into the design, and the brick color also originated from the ball. Retro 91 Sneaker (pronounced: retro 91 sneakers)
Retro 91 Sneaker NAVY
Selling price: 12,100 yen (tax included)
Sizes: US 5.0 (23.0 cm) - US 11.0 (29.0 cm)
Colors: BLACK, NAVY, TAUPE
Simple Shoes Inc. was founded in California, USA in 1991. The Retro 91 was one of the first sneakers released shortly after the company's founding. While the O.S. Sneaker suede gained worldwide popularity in 1994, the Retro 91 has since faded into obscurity. However, for Simple® brand enthusiasts, it is considered the original sneaker.
When first released 25 years ago, the product name was simply "SNEAKERS." The new product, "RETRO 91 Sneaker," faithfully reproduces the original specifications and is now called the "RETRO 91 Sneaker." The word "retro" originally had a positive connotation: "cherishing the good old days with nostalgia." Truly old items are often referred to as "antique" or "vintage," while items with an old-fashioned appearance but crafted with cutting-edge technology are referred to as "retro." This is truly a "retro" pair.
The "91" comes from 1991, the year Simple Shoes Inc. was founded. The upper is made of natural suede leather, while the toe cap that protects the toes is made of ivory-colored genuine leather. This combination ensures reinforcement while blending into the classic design. Furthermore, the stitching that matches the color of the toe cap and midsole not only creates an even more retro feel, but also double-stitching increases strength.
Retro 91 Sneaker TAUPE
Retro 91 Sneaker BLACK
About Simple(R)︎
Founded in 1991 in Santa Barbara, California, USA by Eric Meyer, former design director at Vision Street Wear. It is a casual shoe brand based on the concept of Simple, which not only means "easy" or "simple," but also "unpretentious," "unpretentious," "unadorned," and "natural." Its sneakers, with their low-tech, retro design yet "casually" durable, were a hit with many skateboarders in the '90s, including Mark Gonzales. In 2005, Simple was a pioneer in the industry, developing environmentally friendly shoes. Much to the regret of its fans, the brand was discontinued in 2010, and sales ceased worldwide.
In 2015, it was revived in the USA under new brand ownership, with the same original concept as when it was first founded. In Japan, a revival project was launched through crowdfunding in 2019. Thanks to support from those who loved the brand in the '90s, using words like "nostalgia" and "used to wear it," the project achieved 2.3 times the target amount. It was re-released in 2020 for the first time in 10 years.
Click here for company press release details
O.S.Sneaker canvas DENIM (pronounced: OS sneaker canvas denim)
O.S.Sneaker canvas DENIMPrice: ¥8,800 (tax included)
Sizes: US 5.0 (23.0 cm) - US 11.0 (29.0 cm)
Color: Denim (light blue)
Available at: Simple official online store https://simpleshoes.stores.jp
In March 2020, Simple(R) resumed sales in Japan for the first time in about 10 years. The first item to be re-released after its revival was the brand's signature, long-loved O.S.Sneaker suede (pronounced: OS sneaker suede). This signature product is a canvas type with all the suede replaced with canvas. The O.S.Sneaker suede is a product that symbolizes Simple(R) when it was released in 1993. It was such a beloved sneaker that it continued to be sold until the brand was discontinued in 2010.
It was revived in the US in 2015 and in Japan in 2019 thanks to crowdfunding, and in both cases the O.S.Sneaker suede was given as a reward for support.
The O.S.Sneaker canvas, with its canvas upper material, was released in 1996 in response to feedback that "suede is good, but we wanted something lighter." Similar feedback has led to its re-launch after nearly 25 years.
Because suede and canvas materials stretch and contract differently, changing the material necessitates changes to everything from patterns to manufacturing processes. We have reviewed the design from the development stage to faithfully reproduce the O.S.Sneaker design without compromising it. For example, the toe cap (the part that protects the toes). While the O.S.Sneaker suede is covered and sewn together, the O.S.Sneaker canvas faithfully reproduces it with imitation stitching.
O.S.Sneaker suede (Color: Black, Cherry)The O.S. in O.S.Sneaker stands for Old School. Literally translated, it means "old school," which can mean "outdated" or "outdated." However, it also carries a positive connotation of being "long-loved" or "unique and long-standing," implying praise that "it should be passed on to the next generation." The O.S. Sneaker is truly a sneaker that has been loved for a long time.
Simple®︎Kickball outsoleThe outsole (shoe bottom) is named Simple(R)︎Kickball outsole. Kickball is a ball game that everyone in America grew up playing. It is positioned similarly to dodgeball in Japan. The ball used in kickball was incorporated into the design, and the brick color also originated from the ball. Retro 91 Sneaker (pronounced: retro 91 sneakers)
Retro 91 Sneaker NAVYSelling price: 12,100 yen (tax included)
Sizes: US 5.0 (23.0 cm) - US 11.0 (29.0 cm)
Colors: BLACK, NAVY, TAUPE
Simple Shoes Inc. was founded in California, USA in 1991. The Retro 91 was one of the first sneakers released shortly after the company's founding. While the O.S. Sneaker suede gained worldwide popularity in 1994, the Retro 91 has since faded into obscurity. However, for Simple® brand enthusiasts, it is considered the original sneaker.
When first released 25 years ago, the product name was simply "SNEAKERS." The new product, "RETRO 91 Sneaker," faithfully reproduces the original specifications and is now called the "RETRO 91 Sneaker." The word "retro" originally had a positive connotation: "cherishing the good old days with nostalgia." Truly old items are often referred to as "antique" or "vintage," while items with an old-fashioned appearance but crafted with cutting-edge technology are referred to as "retro." This is truly a "retro" pair.
The "91" comes from 1991, the year Simple Shoes Inc. was founded. The upper is made of natural suede leather, while the toe cap that protects the toes is made of ivory-colored genuine leather. This combination ensures reinforcement while blending into the classic design. Furthermore, the stitching that matches the color of the toe cap and midsole not only creates an even more retro feel, but also double-stitching increases strength.
Retro 91 Sneaker TAUPERetro 91 Sneaker BLACKAbout Simple(R)︎
Founded in 1991 in Santa Barbara, California, USA by Eric Meyer, former design director at Vision Street Wear. It is a casual shoe brand based on the concept of Simple, which not only means "easy" or "simple," but also "unpretentious," "unpretentious," "unadorned," and "natural." Its sneakers, with their low-tech, retro design yet "casually" durable, were a hit with many skateboarders in the '90s, including Mark Gonzales. In 2005, Simple was a pioneer in the industry, developing environmentally friendly shoes. Much to the regret of its fans, the brand was discontinued in 2010, and sales ceased worldwide.
In 2015, it was revived in the USA under new brand ownership, with the same original concept as when it was first founded. In Japan, a revival project was launched through crowdfunding in 2019. Thanks to support from those who loved the brand in the '90s, using words like "nostalgia" and "used to wear it," the project achieved 2.3 times the target amount. It was re-released in 2020 for the first time in 10 years.
Click here for company press release details
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