SMOKIN's international rider, Shouma Takao, who has also released his own signature model.Socks brand SuxSox that he launched last season. I think there are many people who have seen it on SNS and cool snowboard shops.SuxSox is still a mystery. This time, we interviewed Shouma Takao, who runs the brand, in order to unravel such a brand.
First of all, what made you decide to start a brand?
Originally I was interested in making things.I wish I had such an item.That's why I wanted to start a brand.So, I feel like I finally started to have an environment where I can do that last year.However, when I started the brand, I didn't want to make a snowboard brand, snowboard socks.That's why SuxSox is more like an apparel brand than a snowboard brand.Isn't it usually a T-shirt or hoodie when you start a brand?But I don't do socks very much.Also, I didn't have many existing sock brands that I wanted to wear.So, let's make it myself.Originally I like shoes.I wanted to make socks that matched it.I really like high-top shoes, but I didn't like it because there were times when I couldn't see the sock design at all when I put it on.That's why at SuxSox, we put the design in a place where you can see it even if you wear high-cut shoes, and we are particular about it.I also put a design on the soles of my feet.Japan has more opportunities to take off shoes than the United States.It would be fashionable if there was a design in such a place when I took off my shoes.I'm particular about what I can't see.
Did you study design?
No, there is no design school.All self-taught.The beginning is a pencil and a notebook.I also designed various things by hand.I'm really bad at painting (laughs) Maybe everyone is scared when I see it (laughs)
It's almost like I've accumulated a lot of ideas during the winter and started designing when the season is over.
What is the origin of the brand name?
I wanted to choose some negative words.Because, when I start something, I think it's absolutely 0 or negative.But once you start, it turns into a plus.Therefore, even if you wear a negative image at first, it will turn into a plus.With that in mind.Also, I liked the pun because I simply liked the letter S.It's easy to remember.
What is your brand concept?
For the time being, I've been snowboarding all the time, and I've been able to connect with various genres.Thanks to snowboarding, I met cool people such as rappers, graffiti artists, and models.Snowboard brands are only known to snowboarders, but if it's an apparel brand, anyone can know it, and socks can be worn regardless of genre.It would be great if this brand also said "I know the sock brand" in a place I didn't know.It would be great if we could create new connections with the brand as a trigger.After that, it would be nice if cool people with style could wear it.
What has changed since you started the brand?
Well, I wonder if I like art more than before.After that, I wonder if the field of view has become wider.When I go on a trip abroad, I'm really interested in the art of that place.I wonder if it has changed since I started to sell the store myself.Right now, I'm still in a good snowboard shop, but from now on, I'd like to expand on more apparel shops.
- Collaboration model with STONP who is also one of the crew
What do you want to do through the brand from now on?
It's only been a year since it started, and I'm all unknown.But that's why I think there is something I can do.The possibilities are endless.As I mentioned earlier, I want to go deeper into cultures other than snowboarding and street culture.I wonder if I would like to do such things as holding events and co-sponsoring through socks.
After all, I think it's really cool to be the one who keeps doing one thing.It's very difficult to keep doing it.I also learned from snowboarding the importance of continuing.For the time being, I will continue what I think is cool.Both brands and snowboards.
Sux Sox present
This time, 6 people will receive Sux Sox items!
The application isplease use this form.From!
Instagram: Takao Shoma @ Shoma3, SuxSox @suxsox
WEB: suckssocks.theshop.jp
