‘I couldn’t sleep for days’: The Sydney designer co-designing shoes with Adidas

Each week, we quiz a prominent person about their style and the inspiration behind it. Ahead, Song for the Mute co-founder Melvin Tanaya.

Song for the Mute’s Melvin Tanaya respects the stylings of designers Rei Kawakubo and Yohji Yamamoto.Credit: Darren McDonald

How would you describe your personal style? Comfortable, purposeful, considered.

What’s the oldest thing in your wardrobe? An M.A+ “Origami” leather wallet my wife gave me about 16 years ago. I use it every day; it’s one of my most prized possessions.

And the most recent addition? Song for the Mute’s “Daisy” coat. Almost everything I wear is from our label.

What are the three essential items in your wardrobe? My relaxed lounge pants, an overshirt and sneakers.

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What would you wear … on a first date? Relaxed lounge pants with a tucked in T-shirt, an overshirt in faux leather or hemp, and a nice pair of Derbys. … on a plane? Always a hoodie and my relaxed lounge pants because they’re crease-free. I wear the sneakers we did with Adidas, where the back of the shoe flops down like a mule, and my Bathys headphones – I’m an audio geek. … on the red carpet? My made-to-measure Tom Ford tuxedo with shawl lapel.

What’s your favourite fashion decade? I’m very fond of the late ’90s and early 2000s. It was very raw: the grungy, indie, new-metal music culture, Adidas “Superstars”, loose jeans, FUBU, the music videos on Rage …

Who are your favourite designers? I like designers such as Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garçons and Yohji Yamamoto for their philosophy, rather than aesthetically – the way they never compromise and stay true to their path. For example, we use the same fabric mill in Japan as those designers, and the mill told us they use very specific blacks: Rei’s is red-black and Yohji’s is blue-black. That attention to detail really stuck with me.

What’s your fragrance of choice? I keep it simple: Terre d’Hermès is the only scent I’ve ever worn.

Any go-to jewellery? A vintage Rolex “GMT-Master 1675” from 1971. It’s my lucky watch. I bought it when Song for the Mute turned 10, which also happened to be when my second daughter was born.

Can you remember a favourite outfit from when you were a child? I was into football, and I wore long white soccer socks every day. There was also a white Champion windbreaker I thought was the coolest thing ever.

What was your first fashion moment? Buying a $120 Who Am Eye T-shirt from Fallow in Brisbane. It was those concept stores with niche brands that first got me into fashion.

And your worst fashion mistake? Probably the long soccer socks.

What’s on your wish list? A Patek Philippe “Aquanaut” watch to celebrate my 40th birthday next year.

Tanaya would like a watch similar to this Patek Philippe style for his 40th birthday.

Is there something you’d never wear? Never say never.

Is there a current trend you like? I like “quiet luxury” because it’s not only unassuming, but also all about the quality of the product.

What shoes do you wear most often? Song for the Mute x Adidas “Superstar” sneakers. I grew up wearing “Superstars” and when we were given the chance to work on the collaboration I couldn’t sleep for days.

What do you wear to bed? Band tees I’ve collected from gigs over the years.

Who’s your favourite fashion icon? Shia LaBeouf. His attitude, his style, the way he puts things together – it’s just so cool.

What do you wear on a typical working day? Loose pleated pants with a logo T-shirt from our 2021 collection, which is made out of the same Japanese jersey as the Hermès cotton scarf, and my “Superstars”.

What’s your favourite off-duty, casual Sunday look? Adidas track pants, a Song for the Mute “Sunflower Sketchbook” pullover, Birkenstock “1774” sandals and a cap.

The Song for the Mute x Adidas 006 collaboration is available now.

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