Keene Japan LLC Creating a colorful future with the theme of clothes that can walk with a colorful story “Clothes that create color and life” = Collaboration with Bunta Shimizu Released on Friday, April 11, 2025

[Keene Japan LLC] Creating a colorful future with the theme of clothes that walk with a colorful story “Clothes that create color and life” = Collaboration with Bunta Shimizu Released on Friday, April 11, 2025 ​
Keene Japan LLC Press release: April 8, 2025 Create a colorful future with the theme of clothes that can walk with a colorful story “Clothes that create color and life” = Collaboration with Bunta Shimizu Released on Friday, April 11, 2025
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/59148/147/59148-147-f3189114c7e4013a54ecf28cc215c1fc-3000×2121.jpg Since its founding in 2003, the outdoor footwear brand “KEEN” has defined “any place without a ceiling” as outdoor, and has proposed innovative hybrid footwear using manufacturing methods that reduce the impact on the global environment. Our first collaboration with “Clothes that Create Color and Life,” a project/brand for children and adults directed by Bunta Shimizu, who is active in a wide range of fields such as music, writing, and production, will go on sale from April 11th (Friday). It will be sold at KEEN official online store (https://www.keenfootwear.jp), KEEN directly managed stores, and each handling store.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/59148/147/59148-147-ce153f713e686c373276c20ac6633216-3000×2121.jpg In collaboration with Bunta Shimizu, who is known for “clothing that creates color and life,” with the goal of making clothes that can walk together with this story, which is colored only by the life and story of the person wearing it, we adopted the all-gender 2-way sneaker “UNEEK II CONVERTIBLE” and the kids’ amphibious hybrid sandal “NEWPORT H2” as bases. The peaceful design is made up of a pattern that incorporates a brightly colored painting, hoping that you can enjoy walking to colorful places in the world with your loved ones while wearing these shoes. You can also happily wear them with both parents and children. We hope that you will enjoy your daily life by wearing these colorful shoes, which incorporate the brand’s concept that everyone, children and adults alike, can wear them.
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/59148/147/59148-147-25522b21c2e1667747ee0a877112eed1-3000×1430.jpg Product name: UNEEK II CONVERTIBLE Product number: 1030202 ALL GENDER Color name: MULTI/BIRCH Size/Weight: 23-29/30cm 320g (27cm one leg) Price including tax: ¥16,500 OPEN AIR SNEAKER. A 2-way sneaker that is a minimalist update of UNEEK. The convertible design allows the heel counter to be folded down and used as slide sneakers. UNEEK’s top-of-the-line ecological product, which uses a cord junction upper that reduces waste, cork material that can be used without cutting, and a manufacturing method that reduces adhesives. UPPER: 3mm recycled PET round polyester cord x microfiber upper FOOTBED: The lightweight EVA footbed is three-dimensionally molded to fit the shape of the sole and wrapped in cork material with excellent sweat absorption and quick drying properties, provides comfortable cushioning and is removable MIDSOLE: Highly resilient PU midsole provides comfortable cushioning OUTSOLE: Non-marking design with laser siping on the outsole for excellent abrasion resistance and grip without leaving footprints Patented interlocking cord system with two polyester elastic cords that move with your foot for a great fit Comfortable fit that’s easy to put on and take off, signature KEEN bungee laces Anatomically designed midfoot ensures a natural fit Microfiber lining for comfortable wear Thoroughly manufacturing shoes that minimize resource waste Adopts a convertible design that can be used as slide sneakers by folding down the heel counter Uses recycled PET
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/59148/147/59148-147-bc5b45cd5938bb6fb01352c72ba3b2f8-1500×926.jpg Product name: NEWPORT H2 Product number: 1030794 YOUTH ：1030788 CHILDREN Color name: IRO TO IKIRU WO TUKURU FUKU Size: 20, 21, 22, 22.5, 23.5cm (YOUTH) ：15, 16, 17, 18, 18.5, 19.5cm (CHILDREN) Price including tax: ¥7,700 The Original Hybrid Footwear.A best-selling model that is overwhelmingly popular in America. A wide sole unit suitable for everyday wear as well as outdoor activities that require stability. UPPER: The upper is made of polyester material that dries quickly and is resistant to water and stains, making it washable and easy to care for. FOOTBED: EVA footbed three-dimensionally molded to match the shape of the sole of the foot provides comfortable cushioning MIDSOLE: TPR midsole with excellent cushioning and recyclability OUTSOLE: KEEN.FUSION RUBBER outsole with properties intermediate between plastic and rubber and recyclable, lightweight and durable, non-marking specification with excellent abrasion resistance and grip that does not leave footprints Comfortable fit that is easy to put on and take off, featuring KEEN’s signature bungee shoe laces and an adjustable Hook & Loop strap that holds the instep and makes it easy to put on and take off.Quick-drying lining that is comfortable even when you move. The arch support is
three-dimensionally molded to the shape of the arch, improving support for the midfoot. ■ Concept of “clothes that create color and life” This brand does not speak of unrealistic fantasies. Fantasy exists in our world. It doesn’t matter if you are a child or an adult. It is your choice to color your life story. Clothes that create color and life want to help you do that. The colorful clothes I created are just like fancy cloth. Color is only created when there is a story and life of the person wearing it. I would be happy if I could create clothes that walk with that story. ■ History of launching “Clothes that create color and life” Shimizu has also been involved in activities that involve working with children, drawing on his own upbringing and experience. I also experienced working at a children’s center and creating picture books that children and adults can read together. We decided to launch this project because we wanted to someday create a project where children and adults can interact together. “Clothes that create color and life” is a small part of the sales and activities. We support private organizations and places that support children and young people. ■Bunta Shimizu Profile Since his student days, he has been in charge of Wednesday Cambanella’s tour costumes and styling for celebrities and corporate advertisements. In charge of creative direction for brands including Benetton. As a columnist, he
contributes to numerous media outlets including the magazine “Soen.” In 2023, as a writer, he published a picture book called “Everyone’s Various” with the sports brand NIKE to help people find their own colors. He has also focused on his music activities, providing work for multiple advertisements and video works, and forming the electronic music/Japanese drum unit “Shimizu Bunta and hina”. Appeared at numerous parties, exhibitions, and events including SUPER DOMMUNE. He is active in a wide range of fields as an artist, stylist, and creative director. WEB Site: https://www.buntashimizu.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bunta.r
◆KEEN Official Online Store: https://www.keenfootwear.jp/ ◆KEEN Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keen_japan/ ◆KEEN Official TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@keen_japan ◆KEEN Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KEENJapan/ ◆KEEN Official YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/KEENJapan

https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/59148/147/59148-147-901ff4c3ed6f0b45240df9c806096525-1005×489.jpg ABOUT KEEN “Can sandals protect my toes?” The history of KEEN began in 2003 with a simple question from founder Laurie Furst. KEEN is an outdoor footwear brand based in Portland, Oregon, USA, with social contribution as the cornerstone of its management. Since our founding in 2003, we have defined the outdoors as “any place without a ceiling,” and have proposed innovative multifunctional hybrid footwear that fuses different concepts such as sandals and shoes, land and water, mountains and cities, comfort and functionality, fashion and practicality. Its innovative and versatile products are manufactured under the CONSCIOUSLY CREATED banner, which promotes the reduction of environmental impact by eliminating the harmful chemical substance PFAS and using recycled materials. Furthermore, we are committed to promoting initiatives such as environmental protection, child support, disaster relief, and gender equality, which we call “KEEN EFFECT.”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/59148/147/59148-147-457d156cd874c092da6873096bcc8c85-1704×1704.jpg KEEN EFFECT Born for outdoor living, KEEN believes we have a responsibility to protect the places we live, play and work. Since our founding in 2003, we have been committed to environmental protection, disaster relief, gender equality, and climate justice, with a strong desire to make a positive difference in the world. That is [KEEN EFFECT], which is centered on CONSCIOUSLY CREATED (to be kind to the earth and people), PROTECTING THE PLANET (to protect the earth), and PROMOTING TOGETHERNESS (to make the world positive). It may not be perfect. But I believe that we have the power to create a better future.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/59148/147/59148-147-bd60371388483284abedc63e8bf454d8-1704×1704.jpg CONSCIOUSLY CREATED: Tsukuri Kata that is kind to the earth and people “Manufacturing with an awareness of the existence of the earth and people.” 24 billion pairs of shoes are produced on earth every year. This means that all humans add three pairs of shoes every year. Our shoes at KEEN are a part of this, and since our founding, we have been working with the mission of “creating shoes that do not have a negative impact on the environment for the future of the earth.” We call it . We eliminate the harmful organic fluorine compound “PFAS” from the water repellent processing process, and use leather certified by LWG (Leather Working Group), an environmental certification organization that performs environmentally friendly leather tanning processes, for our leather products. The footbed (insole) is treated with chemical-free deodorization using probiotics technology, and the mesh upper and recycled P.E.T. are used to strengthen the durability of the toes and sides of the upper.