visvim Narrates the Roots and History Behind Their "FBT" Footwear
For its recurring Dissertation series, visvim selects their highly-coveted “FBT” footwear model as the subject of research as they describe its roots and inspiration from the traditional Native American moccasin.
Hiroki Nakamura describes developing an emotional connection with the functional footwear model and the Native American’s material selection since his late teens. While the overall construction of the piece stayed consistent, various leathers and decorations were implemented to adapt to climate and environment. visvim’s “FBT” footwear was the urban contemporary expression of these design elements by combining a Native American-inspired upper with modern sneaker outsole technology. The Dissertation even showcases the prototype, which utilized a single piece of vegetable astringent-tanned elk leather with no lining. No glues were utilized in the build while a shock-absorbing EVA midsole stitched together.
Take a closer look at the prototype and early inspirations for the “FBT” model below, and read the full Dissertation at visvim.
