A store filled with items that make you realize there's no going back once you've experienced true quality.

Yoko Sakabe left her long-time home in Osaka and began working at VULCANIZE LONDON last autumn. When asked why she chose VULCANIZE LONDON, Sakabe explained, “I’ve always worked with womenswear, and this is my first time in menswear. But I came to Tokyo with the dream of being able to work with a measuring tape around my neck, even when I’m an old woman.”

What surprised her upon starting work was, “I saw a man in his 70s, impeccably dressed in a suit, come into the store, and I was truly astonished that there were such Japanese men. I used to think fashion was a woman’s privilege, but the men who visit are so stylish that I sometimes wish I could be a man in my next life. While women often shop based on first impressions, men seem more interested in the craftsmanship, the brand's history, and how the items will age. They also pay close attention to sizing, balance, and fine details, so I truly learn a lot from our customers.”

Take Turnbull & Asser, a prestigious shirt brand. Even among white shirts, they offer a rich variety, yet men meticulously select their own unique piece. “Once you experience quality, there’s no going back, and men tend to stick with what they like and use it for a long time. Seeing those customers makes me feel they are aging beautifully,” she says.





Sakabe is honing her skills, including measuring, at VULCANIZE LONDON. “I dream of one day being able to offer bespoke women’s Turnbull & Asser shirts.”

Her outfit today features a Grenfell trench coat as the centerpiece. “It’s a historic British brand that holds a Royal Warrant from Queen Elizabeth. It has a very modern, compact silhouette, and it was the first coat I wanted when I joined the company. The lines are so beautiful, it completely captured my heart (laughs). I also like to wear it in a menswear-inspired style, paired with a John Smedley knit and a Sunspel inner.” She admires actor Daniel Craig for his sense of style. “His tuxedo wear and other impeccably put-together outfits are truly wonderful. The sexiness is also a key point.”

VULCANIZE LONDON also sees many couples visiting. “When the men are shopping on the second floor, the women can shop on the first floor or have tea, spending their time very leisurely. Many men also visit together.”

“As both men and women age, the environment in which they shop becomes important. VULCANIZE LONDON offers a spacious setting with a curated selection of excellent items, so please come and visit us,” she conveys.

VULCANIZE LONDON
5-8-5 Minamiaoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Tel. 03-5464-5255
Business Hours | Shop Weekdays 10:30–20:00 (2F from 12:00)
Cafe Weekdays 10:30–20:00, Sat, Sun, Holidays 12:00–20:00
Irregular Holidays
http://www.vulcanize-lon.com/