Ryo Kashiwazaki is undoubtedly your man for quality construction that far surpasses that of what you would find today. Now just 31 years young, the renowned Japanese designer and leatherworker has turned the idea of the humble sneaker on its head, executing his own takes on some of the most iconic, timeless classics in a luxurious, handcrafted fashion. While 2016 was a major turning point with the introduction of Kashiwazaki’s first in-house designs, 2017 was the year that Hender Scheme truly “made it.” In 2017, Ryo and company got the official blessing of the Three Stripes, teaming up with adidas to offer up supremely beautiful – and uber limited – takes on the German mainstay’s Superstar, Micropacer and NMD. The label even cooked up some celebratory red and black kicks for Dover Street Market Ginza and joined Chitose Abe for not one, but five seasonal collabs.