From Kita-senju to the world — with Shibuya Shoes' leather sneaker line, TOSS
Founded in 1962 in Kita-senju, Tokyo, Shibuya Shoes has consistently produced its leather shoes in Japan. There is a clear reason: keeping production at home is the only way to ensure tight control and reliable quality. The company has long worked across both OEM and its own brands, and along the way it has paid close attention to marketing and to the real voices of customers — folding those insights into design and function in the new brands it is now launching.
Concepts and designs that bring together marketing insight and history.
Shibuya Shoes handles OEM work for popular Japanese brands while also developing its own labels — including 〈SHIBUYA LABO〉, named for the in-house workshop. SHIBUYA LABO uses environmentally responsible leathers such as Annonay's chrome-free range and other materials, building leather shoes that are kind to the planet as well as comfortable to wear. Behind them lies the meeting of outstanding artisan craft and a commitment to the environment. The certified craftsmanship runs into every detail, and the steady flow of orders from fashion brands that show in international collections is itself proof of the trust the company commands. Now Shibuya Shoes has launched a new brand drawing on that craft, that experience, and the voices of its customers.
Simple designs and hybrid soles.
That brand is TOSS, launched for the AW 2019 season. Shibuya Shoes has made leather shoes since its founding — but TOSS is a sneaker. The upper carries no logo; the design is pulled together with restraint for a minimal finish that works with any style, hitting the sweet spot for the grown-up looks dominating fashion today and at home in the sneaker scene as well. With sneaker commuting on the rise in business settings, its on/off versatility is part of the appeal — and the modern silhouette, distinct from anything a sport-shoe maker would build, has captured many male wearers. The all-important comfort is given the same uncompromising attention: a Vibram cup-sole underfoot, and a double-layer insole that combines high-resilience and low-resilience cushioning. The minimal upper recalls a leather shoe; the underfoot feel comes from a sneaker. Together they open the door to a new kind of footwear.
Sneakers that draw the very best out of the leather.
What TOSS cares about most is the leather. The classic line comes in just black and white, but the leather itself is constantly studied for comfort, strength and character — and quietly upgraded as a better option is found. That is the leather-shoemaker's sensibility, and it is exactly why TOSS carries a refinement that sets it apart from other sneaker brands. Rather than releasing new models every season, the brand keeps the existing models as anchors and changes the materials by season. So far the line has used Horween's Chromexcel leather — famous for its distinctive hand — and leather from Tochigi Leather, one of Japan's top tanneries; department stores have even requested a Cordovan version. Every model uses horse leather on the inside of the shoe, giving a soft underfoot feel while still being designed to age beautifully. The brand also offers sole replacement so the shoes can be worn for years — a touch you'd expect from a leather-shoe maker. The deft handling of leathers with such different characters is only possible because of the long experience of the company's artisans, combined with their willingness to take on new materials.
