Sportstyle Footwear Design Insights with Mizuno's Takeshi Saito

Ageless Galaxy is thrilled to announce that Mizuno will soon be available at our store. To kick off this partnership, we did an exclusive interview with Takeshi Saito, the visionary lead designer behind Mizuno's global footwear planning and marketing in the sportstyle category. Takeshi's innovative approach and deep connection to the brand's heritage have solidified Mizuno's position in the competitive world of sports fashion. We had the pleasure of sitting down with Takeshi to learn more about his journey, design process, and insights into the future of sportstyle.

Introduction to Takeshi Saito and His Role at Mizuno

Q: Can you introduce yourself and your role at Mizuno?

Takeshi: My name is Takeshi Saito. I am mainly in charge of global footwear planning in the sportstyle category, designing some special models, and marketing for the Japanese market at Mizuno.

A Day in the Life

Q: What does a typical day look like for you?

Takeshi: I wake up in the morning and go for a run at the nearby Olympic Park. I eat a piece of bread, take my son to elementary school, have a cup of coffee, and head to the office at 9:30. From there, the day passes by in a flash. It's usually around 5pm when I realize I want to take a short break. Then, I wrap up the day's work, sometimes I have regular catch-up meetings with the European team, and leave the office around 7 or 8pm.

Personal Connection to Mizuno

Q: What is your personal connection to Mizuno?

Takeshi: The most memorable connection for me are the sprint spikes I used in track and field when I was a student before I joined Mizuno. I tried shoes from various sports brands, but I set my personal best with Mizuno. The pair was a gift from someone who was coaching me at the time, and he was coach of the Japan National Team. I still treasure them to this day!

The Design Process

Q: What does your design process look like? Can you show us some photos?

Takeshi: I sketch on paper, draw on a tablet, draw lines directly on the shoes, and sometimes even take the shoes apart and reconstruct them to explore new structures and combinations. I use different methods depending on the object and scope of the design.

Evolution of Style

Q: Has your style changed ever since you became a part of the Mizuno family?

Takeshi: Yes. At Mizuno, designers can select materials and get involved in even the smallest details, and they are also generally responsible for creating the design indications (tech pack). The clearer the image in their head, the more those details can be reflected in the actual product. I have been given a special role that allows me to work on designs while also doing planning work. As far as I know, there is no one else at Mizuno who has the same role as me.

Notable Projects

Q: What are some of your favorite or most well-received projects of the past? Can you show us some pictures of them?

Takeshi: There are so many, it's very hard to pick just a few, but if I had to choose, I'd go with these 3:

RHRN: This was my first design at Mizuno. Through this model, we opened an account and started doing business with Dover Street Market Ginza.

SORAYAMA Project: This was Mizuno Sportstyle's first project to achieve great success on a global scale.

WAVE PROPHECY MOC: This is a non-collaboration, in-house produced model that is currently in the works and has been the most successful recently.

Designed by YOSHIROTTEN

Trends and Developments in Sports Style

Q: What are the most exciting trends/developments you see now in sports style, and how are you making sure Mizuno stays ahead of the game?

Takeshi: Rather than staying ahead of the game, I am always mindful of what makes Mizuno unique: tradition and innovation. What part of Mizuno do customers find attractive? I always try to be objective and look at whether these things are exciting for sneakerheads or fashion audiences, just like I used to be.

Legacy and Impact

Q: What sort of mark do you want to make in the world as a designer? What do you want people to know you for?

Takeshi: That's a very difficult question to answer because I don't do it to leave marks. My current role involves designing and planning, and my duties constantly change depending on the scene and situation at hand. If I had to give an answer, I would like to be known as a "master" who can handle anything related to sneakers.

Advice for Young Designers

Q: For any young designers out there, what advice can you share for them to take away and learn based on your experience?

Takeshi: If there is a future or vision you want to come true, believe in that 0.1% possibility and always be prepared. Keep doing it, and believe that you are being watched over by the "shoe god".

The Perfect Pair for Any Occasion

Q: One final question: Let’s say you’re leaving for a trip in 15 minutes and can only grab 2 pairs of Mizunos to bring with you. What are you picking and why?

Takeshi: Wave Mujin TL Mid GTX Nonnative and Wave Prophecy Moc. These 2 pairs will be useful in almost any situation when traveling, whether formal or casual, even in the wilderness!

By sharing insights from Takeshi Saito, we're excited to highlight the authentic connections and expertise that drive our curated product selections at Ageless Galaxy. We hope this interview provides a deeper understanding of the passion and innovation behind Mizuno's footwear, encouraging you to explore and shop with confidence in our store.