Visvim
Japan
Visvim (styled visvim) is a Tokyo fashion label founded by Hiroki Nakamura, who is creative director and CEO. It began as a footwear brand and is known for the FBT shoe, natural dyeing and craft-led menswear.
| Founded | 2001 (infobox gives 2000) |
|---|---|
| Founder | Hiroki Nakamura |
| Headquarters | Tokyo, Japan |
| Flagship concept | F.I.L. (Free International Laboratory) |
| Segment | Luxury and designer houses |
| Website | visvim.tv |
What is Visvim?
Visvim is a Japanese fashion brand founded by Hiroki Nakamura, its creative director and CEO. Nakamura was born in Kofu, grew up in Tokyo and worked for about eight years as a designer at Burton Snowboards in Japan before leaving to start the brand. Wikipedia gives the founding as 2001 in its text and 2000 in its infobox.
History
Visvim started primarily as a footwear brand and later expanded into full apparel. The brand has held fashion shows in Tokyo, Paris and New York. Its FBT shoe is a modern take on the Native American moccasin with a sneaker outsole, inspired by moccasins worn by Terry Hall of Fun Boy Three.
Products and positioning
The official website, operated by Cubism Inc., lists the main visvim label and companion lines including WMV for womenswear, F.I.L. Indigo Camping Trailer (a concept brand focused on experimental natural dyeing), VISVIM MOTORS CLUB, little cloud coffee, CONTRARY DEPT and Subsequence, an experimental project covering arts, crafts and culture. Recurring themes include old visvim never dies, expressing synthetic fibres and indigo and mud dyeing.
Business model and distribution
Wikipedia reports 12 free-standing stores in Japan and three flagship stores in the US, stocking at 135 retailers internationally, including Bergdorf Goodman in New York and Dover Street Market in London. These figures date from around 2020. The flagship stores are called F.I.L., short for Free International Laboratory. The brand also sells all releases through its own web store, with storefronts for Japan, North America, Europe and Asia/Oceania, and MR PORTER is listed as carrying exclusive VISVIM MOTORS CLUB products.
Why it matters
Visvim is a leading Japanese premium menswear and footwear label with a strong collector following, and its mix of own stores, a controlled web shop and selective wholesale is a clear example of a limited-release model. Ownership beyond the founder could not be verified.
Frequently asked questions
Who founded Visvim?
Visvim was founded by Hiroki Nakamura, who worked at Burton Snowboards in Japan before starting the brand. He is its creative director and CEO.
Where is Visvim from?
Visvim is a Japanese brand headquartered in Tokyo. It sells through its own stores, an international web store and selected retailers.