Finally, someone who elevates the quality of "My Freedamn!" by one notch

──Regarding the special book being released in conjunction with the event (already available for pre-order in Japan), since the focus this time is on a woman, the title is "Queen of Vintage" instead of "King of Vintage," correct?

TanakaLast time it was Larry from "Heller's Cafe," so this time, as a female representative, we have Kathleen Scharf, the owner of "Meow." After men, women is the natural progression in America.

──What kind of person is she?

TanakaI know many collectors, and they help me in producing "My Freedamn!" Kathleen is always the last person I interview. Yes, she complements what's missing. She elevates the quality of "My Freedamn!" by one more notch at the very end. She has, by far, the most items among everyone I know. Even though I thought I had seen everything during the creation of "My Freedamn!," she still has more? She has an incredible amount. And not just the quantity, but she has a wealth of options. Not only women's and men's, but also children's. People like her are rare. Also, unlike Larry, where each item is extremely expensive, she has many items that are great in design. That's why I wanted this book to be enjoyable in terms of design in many ways. By doing so, I thought I could connect with people who aren't necessarily vintage experts but love old designs. In fact, some readers of "My Freedamn!" are like that.

I want to remain someone who can always speak with integrity

──So, it's about initiating communication with people from different genres.

TanakaHaving people offer opinions from different perspectives helps me learn, and I believe my job is to provide the material for such new communication to emerge.

──That's precisely providing material to evoke inspiration, isn't it?

TanakaHowever, as a fundamental rule of creativity, I believe it's crucial whether the originators will give a knowing smile.

──What do you mean by that?

TanakaFor example, with vintage clothing, you can copy it, but you have to make a copy that would make the original creator, looking down from heaven, give a "knowing smile." The books and events I organize are the same; I want to continue doing things that would make the originators and those pursuing their own creativity give a "knowing smile." That's been my motivation for coming this far, and I don't want to shy away from it.

──That's what you mentioned last time about "what kind of technique was employed," isn't it?

TanakaPrecisely. As a creator, I want to remain someone who can always speak with integrity. That's why I believe I can connect with people like Kathleen. For the production of this book, as with Larry's, we met and discussed numerous times over about half a year to refine the content. In such a process, it won't work unless we share a mutual understanding of our philosophies. Therefore, I want to uphold my beliefs, which go beyond mere business.

──Thank you very much.





"My Freedamn!"Produced to coincide with the special exhibition of the vintage fashion event "Inspiration 2011"Special book "Queen of Vintage Vol.2: [Meow]"Sold out in no time after its release.Following the previous work "King of Vintage No.1: Heller’s Cafe" (out of print),this issue features an extensive collection of vintage deadstock from Kathleen Scharf (owner of "Meow"), a female vintage dealer who has garnered attention from the Hollywood costume industry. From overall uniforms sold to laborers before World War II, to cowboy fashion that reached its peak in the 1930s-50s, 1950s fashion symbolizing America's golden age, and even precious early beach fashion, this is a "vintage bible" that focuses on the inherent fascination of vintage design itself.