“Make happy. Made in Japan.” That is the simple, optimistic catchphrase of Buddy, the collection of customisable sneakers and rucksacks by Tetsuya Iizuka that he designs in Tokyo and makes in Osaka, Japan. Buddy’s sneakers and casual shoes are crafted from rough, premium calf suede tinted and vegetable-dyed in a wide spectrum of colours, with the classic touch of stitched, natural rubber soles. Slim rucksacks and totes are a fun and practical compliment to Iizuka’s colourful world, mixing durable canvas with leather panelling and like his shoes, each style is named after a dog ! There’s even a space to write your name and date of ownership on each Buddy product, built on a philosophy of developing relationships with the items we use daily – to be buddies with your shoes or your bag like you would be buddies with your dog.

In hommage to Siwilai and out of respect for the heritage of Bangkok, Buddy has employed the graphic watercolour pattern of the Chao Phraya river to his signature low-top sneakers and a nylon and calfskin rucksack, for a new urban camouflage. Both feature the Buddy leather nametag for your handwritten personalisation, and a customised Cabinet de Curiosités swingtag in natural leather.