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Engineered Garments x Tarvas – Interview with Daiki Suzuki

Engineered Garments x Tarvas – Wanderer

The Engineered Garments x Tarvas Wanderer arrives in a new slip-on form, finished with faux fur uppers and Tarvas’ signature weather-protective mudguard.

Now available in leopard, black, and gray at Nepenthes Los Angeles.

SHOP HERE

Three individuals standing on a city sidewalk, surrounded by fallen leaves, wearing distinct, stylish outfits. The background features scaffolding and a storefront.

Interview with designer Daiki Suzuki.

Tarvas: Daiki-san, we would like to start by going back to 2018, when we sent you an email out of the blue and introduced our then 6 months old Tarvas brand. At that time Tarvas was almost unknown, producing from Helsinki, Finland, it still feels fantastic that we connected creatively and from different sides of the globe. Do you recall your first reaction to Tarvas that made you think: ‘I want to work with these makers’?”

Daiki: The biggest factor was probably Takuya, the store manager, convincing me. I didn’t know about Tarvas or its background at the time.
But I really liked the shoe design. Even though the price point was high, I was drawn to the uniqueness of a Finnish maker, the distinctive design, and your personality.

Close-up of a pair of brown leopard print slip-on shoes worn with black socks, standing on a sidewalk with yellow autumn leaves scattered around.

Tarvas: Our latest collaboration will mark 6 years since our first release, what continues to compel you to revisit the partnership with Tarvas?

Daiki: There was a pandemic in between, and our store also went through an expansion and renovation. But throughout that time, the customer response in the shop remained strong, and our staff genuinely liked the product as well. So the main reason is that there has always been a strong demand — a feeling of ‘What style would be next?’

Tarvas: Engineered Garments is one of the most recognised clothing monikers in Japanese fashion. The name itself, ‘Engineered’ reveals part of the nature of the label, being the mindset and process through which the garments are ideated and then made. For what purpose, in your view, are the clothes from Engineered Garments made?

Daiki: From my long experience in this industry, I’ve developed a certain sense of value — an idea of what makes clothing look cool to me. I hope to share that unique style with others out there who I believe must have the same sensibility.

Close-up of a person's feet wearing fuzzy grey slippers and grey patterned trousers on a pavement.

Tarvas: To anyone who has followed the history of your work, they will be immediately familiar with your penchant for eclectic material choices (like pony hair), as well as animal prints (like recurring iterations of leopard spots). Where do these interests stem from, with particular regard to leopard prints? Over many years they have come to be synonymous with Engineered Garments we think!

Daiki: Our foundation has always been to take a basic style and infuse it with something innovative. We specialize in intentionally reworking materials, patterns, prints, and items that wouldn’t normally be used in traditional menswear. Using leopard prints and faux fur is part of that approach, and leopard in particular has been well received by our customers. I think that’s why we continue to revisit it, choosing different tones and expressions each time.

Tarvas: Concerning the Wanderer silhouette, what excited you first about this new footwear design from Tarvas? And when deciding on the engineering parameters (re-working the upper pattern) of the shoe, how do you envision this shoe to be worn?

Daiki: Lately, sneakers and shoes have been featuring such bulky details that I started thinking something with a more delicate form might actually look really cool. When I saw these, it felt like the perfect fit. From another perspective, they also reminded me of the early outdoor mock shoes I liked to wear back in the ’80s. That’s when I started considering uppers in materials other than the usual nylon or leather. I anticipated that this would give basic styling a sharper, more striking contrast.

Close-up of feet wearing dark blue and black shoes, with a fuzzy upper, paired with navy pants, set against a textured surface and a fallen leaf.

Tarvas: Lastly, when you last visited Finland what was your impression of the country? Did you manage to have a sauna while you were here? There seems a cultural crossover between the Finnish and the Japanese peoples; both sharing an affinity for hot water and steam! (sauna and onsen)

Daiki: To be honest, the last time I visited was about 20 years ago, and it was a business trip, so I had no time to enjoy anything like a sauna. I mostly only remember the short daylight hours, and even the city itself is now a bit hazy in my memory. Since then, I’ve learned about all the places worth visiting and things to do, and my interest has actually grown over time. I’m now planning to definitely return in the near future.

Close-up of a person's feet wearing plush, furry slippers with a black sole, paired with light-colored, herringbone patterned pants on a textured surface.
A man standing on a street adorned with yellow autumn leaves, wearing a grey vest, dark sweater, and blue beanie, with loose blue pants and black shoes, near a parked white car and scaffolding in the background.
A person standing on a city street, wearing a patterned bomber jacket, a blue shirt, a tie, and wide grey trousers, with fallen leaves on the ground.
An overhead view of a dark, textured shoe resting on a wet pavement scattered with autumn leaves.
A woman stands against a textured wall, wearing a stylish dark blue coat, floral shirt, and a long skirt. She accessorizes with a matching cap and earrings, exuding a chic urban vibe, with yellow leaves scattered on the ground.
Close-up of a leopard print slip-on shoe resting on a sidewalk with yellow leaves.