Interview by Jeff Carvalho and Frank the Butcher.
When you decide to work with a company are you looking at what you are excited about at the moment and decide this is what I want to work with next?
HF - Basically.
The amazing thing is that you have that opportunity.
HF - Yes, I am very lucky.
Let's talk specifically about Idiom a little more. Idiom was initially a Japanese only house brand. There was an aftermarket in the USA where people were importing it, bringing it over to the USA. What kind of impact has Idiom had on the US market?
HF - I don't really think about it. I always wanted to make something that I would want to wear so I don't really care how it sells or where the market goes. But I am really happy it is here and its making a good impact here.
I am glad Burton has something different and is bringing [Idiom] to a different market which is more like street fashion.
Lets talk about winter fashion in Japan. In the USA, active outer wear is very popular. It becomes a part of people's [wardrobes]... pieces they always have in their closets. It is a staple... of fashion due to weather. Is it the same in Japan?
HF - It is almost the same thing but there are so many choices. Every company is making the same kind of jackets: mountain jackets, down jackets. Burton has so many competitors. They have to fight with global warming as well. That is the biggest enemy.
Global warming is affecting sales?
HF - I think so in Japan for the snowboard business.
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