When MADFOOT! Started out in 2001, there was something very different abot them compared to other shoe manufacturers. Their refusal to be bound by stereotypes can be witnessed in every season's issue of their catalogues, as they continue to send shockwaves throughout the shoes industry. Their approach is indeed nothing if not a little #mad#. Nevertheless, their source lies in Takashi Imai's strict philosophy of "Universality". Our products must be able to hold their own in any country in the world. "this passion and ability to tak e action, has sent h im to as far as E hiopia and Ghnae, to reaffirm the id entityof MADFOOT! . To demolis h and restructure is also part of form er Hip-Hop rapper , Takashi Imai's identity. For something new to begin, something else has to be torn down. MADFOOT!'s history has been a sequence of this process repeated time and agein.

At the age of 10, he encounters PUMA Easy Rider and made his first purchase. That was the day, Imai discovered his passion for sneakers. At the age of 16 he received inspiration from RUN DMC. An Adidas jersey, a pair of Superstar sneakers and a Kangol hat. These three items become his sacred treasures. He then became immersed in Hip Hop culture, and bands such as the Beastie Boys. In 1988, with a ghetto blaster in one hand, he could be found in front of his local train station, where he started to rap, forming a hip hop group called “Gas Boys”. In 1989, Imai was employed by a sneaker shop in Ueno, Tokyo, and in 1991 he made his first trip as a buyer to the US. In the same year, “Gas Boys” released their first album as an underground artist. After releasing two albums, in 1993 he made his major debut under record label Colombia Records. Imai then went on to release two albums, and made joint appearances with acts such as the Beastie Boys, Ice Cube, House of Pain and Cypress Hill. As a patron of “Fine Night”, (a club event held by the magazine Fine, which at the time had sold over 300,000 issues), he built the foundations of Japan's hip hop scene, by gathering underground hard-core fans from all over the country. Throughout Imai's activity in the music scene, he continued to purchase for the sneaker shop, visiting the US every year to uncover vintage brands such as Nike's Terminator and the Escape series. After moving to Pony Canyon in 1995, Imai released another three albums, then in 1996 he took a break from the music industry. In 1999, he established his own import sales company. Flying to the US every two weeks to purchase sneakers, he began to sell wholesale to Japanese distributors such as “Chapter” and “Hectic”. Receiving encouragement from old friends, Imai began to consider opening up his own business in Harajuku. In 2000, Imai took on a position at atmos, where he worked on a wide range of projects with manufacturers such as Nike, Reebok and FILA. In November 2001, MADFOOT! was established as an original brand, and in the following April, Imai went independent with MADFOOT!. At the time, domestic brands such as TAS, VISVIM and BAPE were popping up all over the place, and receiving a lot of attention from the media. The authentic street vibe of the products attracted enthusiastic supporters and MADFOOT! confirmed its position as an independent brand in the underground market. In 2007, the brand received strong back-up support in production and distribution from a major trading company and major chain store. Imai took this opportunity to focus his efforts on design and planning, rebuilding the label and taking it into the mainstream market. Now in 2009, MADFOOT! is a major brand that has sold over 200,000 pairs of sneakers.

Q.Birthplace_Japan, Near Tokyo ／ Q.Date of Birth_21st January 1970 ／ Q.Interests_Making shoes ／ Q.Favourite Colour_Black ／ Q.What colour do you dislike?_None in particular. ／ Q.Favourite Shoes_Adidas Campus ／ Q.Favourite MADFOOT! Shoes_I haven't made them yet... ／ Q.Favourite Album_Public Enemy's second album, “It takes a Nation of Millions to Hold us Back” ／ Q.Happiest memory_When I went to the US (LA, San Diego) for the first time at the age of 21 ／ Q.Saddest memory_When a friend went missing ／ Q.A turning point in your life_When I established Flow (name of the MADFOOT! office) ／ Q.What would you say is indispensable to designing? _Concentration ／ Q.Are there times you can't design?_When I can't concentrate ／ Q.Likes and dislikes about Japan_I love the rural scenery in Japan. I dislike that things are expensive. ／ Q.Favourite area of Tokyo_Harajuku ／ Q.What country would you like to visit next?_Nepal ／ Q.Where do you see yourself in 5 years?_I will have moved from the current Tokyo office, to an office in Singapore or Spain. ／ Q.10 years?_I will be constantly on the move around various cities in the world. I don't think I will be able to remain in Tokyo by that time. ／ Q.30 years?_I will be admiring the rustic scenery of the countryside in Tohoku, back in Japan. ／