Beauty
May 11, 2015
Truefitt and Hill | Monitor Report | Kenji Sakurai (Stylist / Fashion Director) _ Vol.2
Truefitt & Hill Monitor Report
Masayuki Sakurai (Stylist/Fashion Director)_Vol.2

For me, clothing, scent, and alcohol all feel like they exist on the same plane. Each appeals to our five senses, and I have a certain sense of T.P.O + P (Person) that guides my choices. Just as I select a tie to match a suit, or choose a cocktail from a vast menu, I feel a thrill when selecting a fragrance, anticipating the chemical reactions that might arise from the clash of individualities.
What kind of chemical reactions will the seven fragrances from Truefitt & Hill evoke in me? This summer, I've coordinated styles recommended for the season with classic cocktails.
Direction & Styling & Text by Masayuki SakuraiPhoto by Toshiichiro Hayashi (FOREST)Cocktail Coordination by Yuji Ito & Daisaku Yuki
Fragrance: CLUBMAN
A sharp citrus and deep floral blend creates a scent that is both urban and sensual.
Imagine a formal-like styling: a purple bow tie paired with a navy silk shirt and a knit jacket.
With a "Blue Moon" cocktail in hand, made with violet liqueur, known as "perfect love," for a slightly more special evening.
Fragrance: TRAFALGAR
The stimulating blend of spicy wood and citrus, which pleasantly defies its fresh appearance, rushes from the nose to the back of the head.
It somehow reminds me of the taste of "Skydiving," a high-alcohol cocktail also known as a "lady killer."
It possesses a distinct character that doesn't lose its identity, even while harmonizing beautifully with its mixers.
In terms of attire, I'm feeling a modern-traditional style: a black blazer with metal buttons, and a crisp regimental stripe tie.
Fragrance: WEST INDIAN LIMES
A fresh citrus scent, like biting into a whole lime, is richly layered with herbs based on oakmoss.
Its innovative arrangement and original creativity evoke the cocktail "Kings Valley."
The magical recipe that expresses green without using any green ingredients is something I'd like to emulate in my styling.
For example, a madras check jacket and a white button-down shirt, but with French Ivy's finest, Anatomica, rolled up at the cuffs.
Fragrance: 1805
An oceanic scent based on bergamot, sage, and cedar. It's familiar, yet unlike anything else, offering a simultaneous sense of nostalgia and novelty.
The term "classic modern" fits perfectly.
In terms of attire, it's a midnight blue pinstripe suit with a red tie; for cocktails, it's the globally renowned "Manhattan."
Both are classics, making the balance tricky to master.
Fragrance: FRESHMAN
True to its name, this fragrance emphasizes cleanliness and youthfulness.
Its evolution from top to base notes is akin to freshly picked fruit becoming sweeter and richer with time.
Moving beyond a light gray suit with a regimental tie, I'd coordinate with a champagne gold jacquard tie.
This suit ensemble would be perfect for a man who can casually order a "Margarita" at a standing bar before dinner.
Fragrance: SPANISH LEATHER
Among the seven fragrances, this might be the most animalic.
The aged white musk is striking, exuding a masculinity that surpasses mere maleness.
It offers a rich, decadent experience, much like sipping a sweet cocktail, "Kahlua Milk," after dinner with the aroma of a cigar.
An off-white dirty bucks, an Irish linen suit, and a Borsalino Panama hat... this is a scent I'd want to revisit in ten years.
Fragrance: GRAFTON
Enjoy the interplay of basil-based green notes, reminiscent of budding new leaves, and the lingering spicy woody and rose notes.
Its depth, a true testament to the art of blending, is akin to the poolside cocktail "Gulf Stream."
Similarly, a jacquard tie, woven with multiple threads of different colors, achieves harmony while maintaining its individual character.
I envision a chambray shirt with shorts, and lace-up shoes worn sockless.
Tie ¥25,200
Cufflinks ¥4,200
(Both from Charvet)
Charvet Boutique, Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store, 6th Floor, Tel. 03-3274-8953
Post-Monitor Review
Honestly, the question "What's your favorite scent?" is the most difficult. I can't possibly choose just one. My fragrance changes with my clothes, and my mood dictates my current favorite. I'm quite fickle, to be honest. While I have a few favorites I use regularly, I'm drawn to try anything new. That's why I have so many half-used perfume bottles lying around.
Perhaps my approach to fragrance is unconventional, even unorthodox. I reapply scents multiple times a day; the fragrance I put on in the morning transforms by evening. Even now, as I write this, I'm contemplating which fragrance to wear next. Sometimes, I've layered so many scents that I can't even recall what I applied. I try to use only a small amount when spraying to avoid overwhelming the previous scent, but...
For me, fragrance is perhaps a fashion item that can quickly alter my mood and feelings. Since I can't change my clothes frequently throughout the day, I use scent to refresh myself. It's almost like a pick-me-up. I aspire to be the kind of man whose scent is so distinctive that others recognize him by it alone.
My sincere thanks to everyone at FMS for this valuable monitoring opportunity.







