Hello to all my fellow shoe aficionados, my name is Rasha Karim and I am your shoesforher.com editor, adding something a little different, my Shoe Lovers Guide to Japan. I was in Japan as part of a study group within my Fashion and textiles degree at university. We were there to soak up the Japanese culture, trends, and bounty of textiles and designers their country had on offer. As the editor of shoesforher.com I went scouting for shoes all over Japan – not that that was very difficult, there is an overwhelming plethora of choice! I tried to get as many images to share as I could get away with, for my fellow shoe enthusiasts and any future Japan-o-philes!
Kyoto, Japan's first capital city and its most traditional, is the home of Sou Sou, a store w
hose philosophy consists of blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design, for a look that’s fresh while retaining a sense of authenticity and patriotic integrity. What intrigued me most about the shop, was of course the
shoes!
They playfully adapt the toe to visually represent the traditional socks work with kimono and thongs, yet updated into these fanciful little booties, with designs sure to tickle an array of different tastes. They even have a wide selection of thong socks as I like to call them for you to wear with the shoes for a more comfortable snug fit. There is a space boot edge to these shoes which I think builds on the modern aesthetic, the use of pattern is quite inventive and fun, it is literally a feast for the eyes, I must add, trying to find a pair for myself took a long an arduous selection process until I finally narrowed it down to my final choice, the truth is, I wanted to buy them all!
I tried on a number of pairs, and I must admit they felt a little strange with the toe
separators, however I quickly got used to it, and I must say they are some of the most
comfortable shoes I have ever worn.
At prices from about 6500 yen (AUS70) to 10200 yen (AUS110) they are in the mid range in shoe speak however I found them to be comfortable and waterproof, quite the handy sidekick trekking through Tokyo for hours on end on a wet winters day. I highly recommend Sou Sou to any shoe or design enthusiast, its appeal is fascinating, charming, and quaint, the staff are exceptionally sweet, accommodating especially a shopper’s indecision.
All in all I found it to be a wonderful metaphor for the city of Kyoto, harmonising Japanese technology and tradition. If you have any jet setting shoe-speriences of your own, don’t hesitate to tell us about them, share your own overseas shoe adventure with our readers who may be heading over to the same place, send photos and a description of where you went, to: editor@shoesforher.com.
