The Magic Behind Visvim’s FBT Shoes

When the American workwear movement established itself in Tokyo in the 90s, Hiroki Nakamura decided he wanted to contribute, and a decade later, he began making footwear under the brand name Visvim.

His goal was to create shoes with classic silhouettes that paid homage to the vintage items that inspired him from his youth. The result? Groundbreaking, unique footwear unlike anything seen in the market today. No other shoe embodies this more than his best-known style: the FBT shoe.

Unprecedented Style

The FBT represents the melding of old world craftsmanship and modern day sneakers. The concept was fairly simple: to keep the raw appearance of Native American moccasins but with the added functionality of being wearable in the city.​ Nakamura wanted more than just a moccasin with a sneaker sole, he wanted a shoe style that was versatile. This marriage of vintage and new with fashion and function is the driver behind this shoe’s commercial success, not to mention its cult status among celebrities and sneakerheads.

Cult Status

FBTs these days are much more accessible than when Visvim first launched its site in 2009 with a notoriously strict online sale process. The cult nature of the brand and the instantly recognizable FBT silhouette has given celebrities seen in the sneakers a specific kind of credibility. Seen on everyone from Eric Clapton to John Mayer to Kanye West, the FBT remains a grail item for discerning style enthusiasts.

Continual Evolution

No one can deny the excitement surrounding the release of the original FBT over ten years ago, but the Visvim team continues to improve and evolve this original design giving dedicated fans something to look forward to season after season. While the outward appearance has not changed, many of the materials have been upgraded.

The FBT is very symbolic for not only Visvim as an innovative brand but for its loyal shoe followers.

Visvim shoes are anything but ordinary.