IN FOCUSVol.6
ROB BIKER SHADE
From the origin stories of items created by THE CRIMIE to behind-the-scenes stories and spin-offs,
A column covering a wide range of topics, with the aim of being “a little informative.”
This column has a reputation in some circles for getting more niche with every installment (laughs). This time, too, I'll share a somewhat niche story.
THE CRIMIE has long been releasing eyewear known as biker shades. When riding a motorcycle, oversized frames or temples with distinctive shapes are clearly impractical under a helmet. Biker shades are functionally designed with that in mind. On the other hand, if you consider wearing them off the bike, temples that are too straight or frames that are too thin can clash with your clothes. That led to the idea behind the design: what if they made sunglasses that could meet both needs? The result was the hit item ROB, which has sold “thousands” of pairs.
At THE CRIMIE, clothes and accessories are designed not just to dress you up, but also with the hope of serving as a kind of talisman for the wearer. Like horseshoe accessories, sunglasses too are imbued with the wish to ward off evil. Guardian bells are famous in the biker community, and perhaps because of the legends about their protective powers, you often see bikers attaching them to their keys. You can think of this model as applying that same idea to eyewear.
Let’s focus on the product name here. If you look up the slang, its meaning is obvious, but that’s not the commonly used meaning behind the name. “Taking away” the chance of users getting into accidents—ROB—may sound like a stretch, but that’s where the name comes from. It doesn’t mean taking away something precious from someone; it means taking away the chance of encountering danger. Beautiful, dazzling lights may make a walk pleasant, but they can also impair visibility for bikers. In short, things have more than one side. Good and bad go hand in hand.
Meet things head-on, with honesty and integrity. That's a wonderful way to think. But as you go through life, you find plenty of situations where it's better to view the world through tinted lenses, with a skeptical eye.
Mr.T
A fashion addict and specialist who works across the fashion industry, from consulting for numerous renowned brands in Japan and abroad to PR and writing. What makes him tick...?
