This is a series of articles about the stories behind fashion products and things that go on behind the scenes, delivering with a bit of a scathing perspective but with a love of products. Atsuo Watanabe, editor-in-chief of PRODISM magazine, Yukihisa Takei, editor-in-chief of HONEYEE.COM, and Takuya Raita, a stylist, choose a theme each time and talk about the products we have selected. We have picked out the latest items that caught our eyes from five different brands!
Edit&Text : Atsuo Watanabe（PRODISM）&Yukihisa Takei（HONEYEE.COM）
Styling : Takuya Raita
Photo : Kengo Shimizu
nonnative × NOMA t.d.
Shirt / Shorts
“The textiles that NOMA t.d. does are not found in other brands, so it's very unique” (Watanabe)
Takuya Raita (R): These are from the collaboration by NONNATIVE and NOMA t.d.
Yukihisa Takei (T): I often get to hear the name of NOMA t.d. these days.
Atsuo Watanabe (W): They are famous for their unique textiles.
R: The brand has been around for a long time, but I've noticed a lot of collaborations recently, and I heard that they have a good relationship with nonnative, and this is their second collaboration.
T: nonnative has made patterns like this before, hasn't it?
R: I think they did Liberty patterns and something similar.
W: The textiles that NOMA t.d. does are not found in other brands, so it's very unique.
T: Yes, I saw these at the nonnative's exhibition and thought they were really good.
W: These items are exactly what you want to wear in the coming season, especially they are matching shirts, shorts and outerwear.
R: The jacket is not yet available until July, and it’s patterned but there will also be GORE-TEX one, too.
T: It’s amazing that it’s a patterned jacket but made with GORE-TEX.
W: It’s all patterned but stylish.
R: It looks fresh and is easy to incorporate into any outfit.
W: I usually go for darker colors for patterned items, but white might be better for shirts and these. The textiles give a sense of good taste. It's an unlikely pattern, also clean and elegant.
T: The more I look at these shorts they look better.
These items have been co-created with NOMA t.d. under the theme of nonnative's 41st - SUMMER & AUTUMN Collection 'WEST'. The original textile "DRAW YOUR GARDEN" by NOMA t.d., is reminiscent of a bandana, the color is specially arranged for the "WEST" theme.
nonnative × NOMA
Shirt ¥37,180, Shorts 31,680 (vendor)
TEL : 03-6452-3072
F/CE.®︎
Mosquito-resistant mesh shirt
"These ideas come up because they are outdoor-activity based brand, like camping." (Takei)
R: This is a mosquito-resistant mesh pullover from F/CE.®︎.
T: This is supposed to be worn over a T-shirt or something, right?
R: Yes, I think you should wear some kind of innerwear as it’s see-through(laughs).
T: Anyway, it’s quite an unusually strong bold pattern for FC/E.®︎.
W: This is such a unique item. The idea of keeping mosquitoes away is something that only a brand with a high outdoor mindset could come up with.
R: They also make a hoodie and shorts from the same material. I thought it would be good to wear them to music festivals and go to the river in the summer.
W: Camping would be also good. Is the brand’s design source basically from the outdoors?
T: Yes, but not the serious ones, like mountain climbing. The designer likes the outdoor activities but for fun, like camping. I think that's why they come up with these ideas.
R: I kind of want to get this one (laughs).
W: The pattern is very nice.
R: Yes, I like the pattern.
T: Yeah, it's such a good pattern, how many times do I have to say it (laughs).
Oversized patterned mesh shirt by F/CE.®.The fabric has been made with a mosquito-resistance finish, which also makes it resistant to other insects. The patterned graphic collage of distinctive Moroccan architecture, musical instruments and animals is based on the season's theme of Ephemerality and represents F/CE.®'s sustainability goals.
F/CE.®︎
Mesh Shirt ¥30,800 (F/CE.®︎ Flagship Store Tokyo)
TEL : 03-6452-5867
DESCENDANT
KhaKee Series Fishing Shirt
“I've got an impression of men wearing DESCENDANT is faithful (laughs)” (Watanabe)
R: This fishing shirt is from a new line specialising in beige, called KhaKee series, which DESCENDANT started this season.
W: A box wide shirt that's currently a trend with a fishing-like outdoor element. And it's DESCENDANT, so it's got all the reasons to be sold.
R: They use mesh material for the lining, but I think they are also very good at not showing so much functionality from the design.
W: It's more like relaxed wear, or maybe it's focused on comfort. The silhouette is also very modern. It's good to dress up wearing a shirt like this when spending time with family.
T: It's a ''family'' themed brand. They recently opened a new store in Kyoto, and I feel they're getting more and more popular.
R: Maybe it's because the clothes can be worn easily and look cool even though they look quite normal.
W: I've got an impression of men wearing DESCENDANT is faithful (laughs).
T: Hmm, I didn't see that coming.
W: People who have a flashy lifestyle don't seem to wear DESCENDANT clothes, do they?
T: Then you can't wear it (laughs).
W: I'll try to be able to look good in it (laughs).
Twilled fishing shirt made from organic cotton from DESCENDANT's KhaKee series focusing on sand beige. A standard fit with short sleeves, placket front and flap pocket with D-ring. The back yoke is designed to function as mesh-lined ventilation.
DESCENDANT
Fishin Shirt ¥26,400 (DESCENDANT)
www.descendant.jp
DAIRIKU
Striped / Raglan Long-sleeved T-shirts
“The brand is based on vintage clothing and I feel it's a reimagining of American casualwear but in a modern way” (Raita)
W: It's a popular young brand. When they do pop-up stores, they sell out quickly, right?
R: It's very popular. I heard that at the last Rakuten Fashion Week show, they had more guests than any other brands.
W: It's fun to see young brands emerging like this.
T: The designer himself is young, isn't he?
R: I think he's in his late 20s. The brand is based on vintage clothing and I feel it's a reimagining of American casualwear but in a modern way.
T: I thought designers in their 20s wouldn't have much interest in vintage American casual clothing, so it was quite surprising. But then, it’s interesting that this kind of brand is also popular among the younger generation now.
R: I guess it's a more solid version of the tight sizing, like the Levi's 517 that became popular about 10 years ago. I feel that the trend has come back and is being supported by the younger generation.
T: I feel like I've seen the graphics somewhere before, but they're different somehow.
W: The clothes we were wearing in the 1990s and early 2000s are now being vintage clothing. The fact that the designs are based on those clothes is interesting because the values of vintage clothing are different from our generation. The clothes are made by young designer with modern sensibilities, and I feel the brand is very energetic. The sizing and designing also feels very fresh. So definitely not for the older generation (laughs).
T: I knew I shouldn't wear it (laughs).
W: There are many overseas brands that are streetwear but a bit chic. Something pop but also luxurious. I feel Dairiku is like a Japanese version of those brands.
T: It's interesting that the season theme is written on the tag.
R: Film is a design resource every season, and 'Mystery Train’ by Jim Jarmusch and other films are the inspirations for this season.
W: He’s got a good eye. I think the brand is going to grow even more.
Striped and raglan long sleeved T-shirts by DAIRIKU, a brand its popularity has been on the rise in recent years. The designs that have a sense of déjà vu in American casual vintage clothing have been updated with a modern sensibility. This season's inspiration source is the 1989 film Mystery Train, directed by Jim Jarmusch starring Masatoshi Nagase.
DAIRIKU
Striped ¥29,700, Raglan ¥17,600 (DAIRIKU)
d.dairiku@gmail.com
L/UNIFORM x fargment design
Tote Bag
“This collaboration could spread the brand name of L/UNIFORM. The bag seems to be able to use for a long time without getting bored, too” (Watanabe)
T: Well, then again, the number of collaborations that Hiroshi (Fujiwara) san works on is impressive. We receive press releases every month.
R: Especially in the last few years.
T: But did you know about this brand, L/UNIFORM?
W: I’ve heard the name, but I didn't know what kind of products they make.
R: It's a French bag brand and quite fashionable. Hiroshi-san found out about it in Paris even before it came to Japan, so he naturally liked it.
T: The press release also says he used to visit the atelier before the store opened in Japan. Their bags are usually made from two pieces of fabric, but they are made from one piece to make it thinner, which is the key point of this collaboration.
W: I guess Hiroshi-san’s fans would buy it.
T: I noticed the #30 printed on this front is a serial number.
W: What he does is fashionable.
R: There's a store in Marunouchi, they also have guitar cases, trunks and various other lineups other than bags. But the main focus is basically on this kind of fabric, and I feel like it could be carried by as unisex items.
W: This collaboration could spread the brand name of L/UNIFORM. The bag seems to be able to use for a long time without getting bored, too.
R: It's a French brand, so it's sophisticated and stylish.
A collaboration between French bag brand L/UNIFORM and Hiroshi Fujiwara's fragment design. Based on L/UNIFORM's "No.54" big bag, the straps have been extended to make it easier to carry as a shoulder bag, and it’s been weight-saving by using a single layer of canvas. Hiroshi Fujiwara's ideas are incorporated throughout the products, such as the new handles on the side. The model named "No.129" is available in natural woven canvas with the same FRAGMENT logo as the cotton color, limited to 45 pieces in each color.
L/UNIFORM x fargment design
Tote Bag ¥110,000 (L/UNIFORM TOKYO)
TEL：03-6812-2930
(From left to right) Atsuo Watanabe, Editor-in-Chief of PRODISM, Takuya Raita, Stylist, Yukihisa Takei, HONEYEE.COM)
Atsuo Watanabe / Editor-in-Chief, PRODISM
Born in 1973. After working as an editor for Asayan and Huge, he became a freelance editor and launched the product-focused magazine PRODISM in 2013, where he continues to work as the editor in chief. He is well versed in men's fashion, sneakers, and streetwear, and has a unique aesthetic.
Takuya Raita / Stylist
Born in 1986. Having assisted for Hiroyuki Kai, he became independent in 2012. While working mainly for men's fashion magazines, he is also known for his product styling that sensitively incorporates trends. Currently looking for an assistant.
Yukihisa Takei / HONEYEE.COM
Born in 1972. After working as an editor of the magazine EYESCREAM, he became the editor-in-chief of HONEYEE.COM, but resigned after one year. After working as a freelance editor and creative director for various brand websites and media launches, he returned to his post as editor-in-chief of HONEYEE.COM in the fall of 2021.