Only One Model: Sneakers for Urban Use Designed by a Duo from Major Shoe Manufacturers, Introducing "CLEMENS"

The world is filled with countless sneakers, but when you think about it, most of them are rooted in sports. For instance, Converse's "All-Star" is for basketball, New Balance's "M1300" is for running, and Vans' "Era" is for skateboarding.

It makes sense since the origin of sneakers is sports shoes. However, there's a sneaker brand questioning this common knowledge: CLEMENS.

Over five years have passed since its debut, but it offers only one model with no seasonal collections. Despite this, and limited buying options through their official online store and select shop Bshop, the brand has grown popular through social media and word of mouth. Currently, they often experience sold-out sizes.

To delve into the reality of the brand, we interviewed the two designers behind it.

Sneakers Made for Walking the Streets, Not Rooted in Sports

"Sneaker enthusiasts use basketball or running shoes in their daily lives, but these are designed for optimal performance in their respective sports. So, what would sneakers look like if tailored specifically for urban walking? That was the starting point of our creation," says Mononobe.