Talking w/ Mr. Saturday founder Ulala Vol.2 About
"What is Jewelry and Sneakers for her?" By Forget-me-nots Director Kyoko NAKAJIMA

Kyoko: What about sneakers?

Ulala: I basically only wear sneakers or boots. Sneakers, especially, feel like a "partner" I've been wearing since elementary school.
And I can run fast! (laughs)

Kyoko: I imagine you as very active, so it seems you'd be moving around in sneakers rather than working in heels.

Ulala: Heels, you know, at this age, I do want to wear them and think they're cool, but I still prefer sneakers. I can run anytime, no matter what happens.

Kyoko: Today you're wearing Nike's Air Vapor Max EVO series shoes. What are your thoughts on the design?

Ulala: They're cool! The colors are cute too.
Because they're voluminous sneakers, it's cute for girls to pair them in a masculine way, and they look cool with tight clothes.
I feel like I could run fast! (laughs) I don't really like to wear sneakers perfectly clean; I prefer them to get a little dirty and develop some character.
I want to pair them with denim or a mini-skirt.

Kyoko: Do you wear other Air Max models?

Ulala: My favorite model is probably the Air Max 97. It makes my legs look good.

Kyoko: The shoe model name EVO comes from "Evolution," and I always get the impression that you're constantly evolving. What do you keep in mind to evolve yourself?

Ulala: To get inspiration, I go abroad for input. Japan is a place for output.
The moments when I realize something new are basically when I'm abroad.
When I used to say something I found strange in Japan, I was often told I was strange. But in America, they affirmed my strange thoughts.
America was where I felt comfortable, but since I stopped being afraid to voice my opinions, Japan has also become a comfortable place.
Before, my accomplishments weren't recognized, so people wouldn't listen to me. But now that they're recognized and I've gained confidence, I try to clearly convey what I want to say without being arrogant.
I think I've grown because I stopped negating and started empathizing to make sure my message gets across to the other person.

Kyoko: Forget-me-nots promotes the image of women as "For creative girls, Independent women," "Every woman is a flower," and "wild flower."
Ulala, you are truly a muse who embodies this. Please share a message for such women.

Ulala: We are currently in a period of great change. Women's social status, marriage, childbirth – it's changed the most in the last 20 years. It's okay to get married, or not; it's okay to have children, or not. To create an even freer environment, independent women like us must speak up and voice our concerns if we feel life is difficult, otherwise, there will be no evolution in the next 10 or 20 years.
Even though this country doesn't recognize separate surnames for married couples or common-law marriages, amid various issues, independent women like us must raise our voices and bring about change.
So, I want these women to speak up more and more.
What shocked me when I returned from New York was the male-centric view of women's value proclaimed in all advertisements and so on.
One person alone can't change things, but I believe we can achieve a lot together.

Kyoko: The other day was International Women's Day, and there were various campaigns, so I thought things were changing, but it's still a world where we need to keep raising our voices.
Actually, there's also International Men's Day, but it doesn't get much attention because it's considered normal.
I wish women's issues would also become normal.

Ulala: We want to celebrate every day, right?! (laughs)
It doesn't have to be just that one day. I want to make this a country where we can celebrate our diversity and freedom.
That's precisely why I intend to output here in this country.