Practical, purposeful, and uniquely P.F. Flyers, our limited edition collaboration with Engineered Garments perfectly interweaves intention, innovation, and vintage inspiration into one elevated low-top slip-on sneaker. To explore the design journey behind these durable, workwear-inspired shoes, we asked Daiki Suzuki to share some of his creative insights that brought the exclusive collection to life.
Q: Engineered Garments and P.F. Flyers are both brands with strong vintage influences and dedications to quality. What inspired you to work with P.F. Flyers?
A: When the opportunity came along, I was thinking about iconic, classic canvas basketball sneakers and the original Jack Purcell design. Exploring how to translate such perfectly resolved designs into a contemporary context felt like a meaningful challenge, and that curiosity is what drew me to the project.
Q: Where do you draw inspiration from? Are there any hobbies, media, or experiences that inform your perspective? What sources shaped this collection?
A: I draw inspiration from everything I see and encounter—whether it’s films, books, music, or elements of subculture. I’m influenced by anything that captures my interest and by people as well. For this project in particular, I was greatly inspired by the elastic details use.
Q: How do you balance vintage inspiration with modernity?
A: I’m very drawn to vintage styles and designs, but what I pay the most attention to is making sure it doesn’t become a mere rehash. I aim to strike a balance by adding my own touches, creating unique details and designs that aren’t just replicas.
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Q: Engineered Garments was founded in 1999. What was your initial design perspective, and how has it evolved over the last three decades?
A: It hasn’t changed much from today. From the outset, I’ve aimed to create an original style by grounding my work in Classic American, while blending in vintage, military, and workwear influences, filtered through the sensibility I’ve cultivated over many years. That fundamental philosophy remains essentially unchanged even after more than twenty-five years. Rather than calling it an evolution, I see it as continuously fine-tuning the balance with flexibility, in response to the shifting times.
Q: You’re known for reimagining classic American styles and Japanese influences into menswear. How does your approach to designing shoes differ from your approach to clothing?
A: There are many different approaches, but in this case, I approached it with exactly the same sensibility as I do when designing clothing. I felt that with already fully realized classic designs, paradoxically, modern arrangements and details can be especially effective.
Q: How do your considerations about proportion and silhouette differ in footwear versus garments?
A: I think the way of thinking is basically the same. Especially in menswear, proportions and silhouettes are more limited compared to womenswear. Footwear is similar in that sense — compared to women’s shoes, men’s shoes and sneakers have more established proportions, components, and details that need to be respected. But the more constraints there are, the more interesting the challenge becomes, and I find it enjoyable to create new styles within those boundaries.
Q: How do you approach blending American influences and Japanese heritage?
A: I haven’t consciously focused on it, but of course I think I’ve gained a lot from having been born and raised in Japan. That said, when it comes to the new classic American style we create, the priority—rather than anything inherently “Japanese”—is, as I mentioned earlier, how to introduce new arrangements within a set of limited rules and how to present a fresh perspective. I think the sensibilities I developed in Japan are probably reflected unconsciously as part of that process.
Q: Engineered Garments is known for creating purposeful imperfection. How do you define the line between unfinished and intentional?
A: I do think that imperfection can sometimes be very beautiful, but I’ve never intentionally tried to create it. The imperfections that arise naturally, without being planned, have a certain charm—they carry a warmth, like emotions or personality in a person. Even if they might not be considered “high quality,” I believe they contribute to a unique, original character overall.
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Q: What has been the most exciting part of creating this sneaker collection? Are there any details that you think should be spotlighted?
A: It was when I found the idea. I found it interesting that by keeping the original, completed design almost entirely as it was and adding just one detail, it could look completely different. The focus is on the elastic part, but since the original eyelets are also left intact, even if the shoes are worn over a long period and the elastic stretches out, you could cut the elastic and lace them instead. Even in that state, I still think they look great.
Q: What do you hope people will take away from this collection?
A: If someone takes an interest, I hope they can experience something in their own way. Even if their impression differs from what we intended, that’s completely fine—we’re genuinely happy and just want them to enjoy it.
The P.F. Flyers x Engineered Garments Grounder Slip-On Collection merges Daiki Suzuki’s visionary ideas with the practical vintage design of our iconic mid-century military shoe. Crafted from breathable VENTILE® All-weather cotton and enhanced with functional details like easy-on slip closures and an over-foot stretch band, this distinctive everyday footwear emerges from a shared commitment to imaginative, utilitarian design. To shop this exclusive reimagination of our archival Grounder sneaker, explore the full limited release P.F. Flyers x Engineered Garments Collection.
