The party is in full swing

Let's celebrate our 31st year together!

Shimazu YoshiyukiGetting back to a more serious topic, how was your 30th year?

Kubo HiroshiWhen we joined, it was still a 'shop,' so it still feels like we're only 30 years in. Reaching this milestone, and with my own age, there's a sense of mission or pressure to make a new start.

ShimazuAs a buyer?

KuboBEAMS is projected to become a company of 900 people this year. At this scale, it's no longer about learning by observation or intuition; it becomes entirely different, requiring operational explanations and employee training. Back in the day, though I'm embarrassed to say it, good employees were unique, stylish, eccentric, and even a little disobedient, which was seen as interesting and endearing. But that doesn't work anymore.

Aono KenichiAnything outside the norm isn't accepted.

KuboI'm thinking a lot about how to prevent this from becoming a failing company. That's our responsibility. I feel a sense of crisis.

ShimazuIt's quite difficult, isn't it? It's already a 'company.'

KuboOur president is an optimist in the best sense, so he doesn't think of us as a large corporation at all.

Yamazaki YujiI don't particularly focus on the 30-year mark, but the reason we've been able to come this far is fundamentally because it's a comfortable place to be. Of course, there were many difficult seniors too (laughs), but I've learned a lot, and I've come this far because I love clothes. Our company is interesting because of its people. At its core is a love for clothes, but many also have other passions. Each person has that extra something, and the company is a collection of those individuals.

Kubo (left) and Yamazaki

ShimazuAre there many 30th-anniversary products?

AonoVarious sections and buyers took on projects.

KuboThe biggest initiative was producing a collaboration shop at the 'Venetian Carnival Market' in Mediterranean Harbor at Tokyo DisneySea (※On sale until March 20, 2007).

AonoThis was a product development project undertaken by Kubo alone.

ShimazuSo you could use Disney characters.

KuboThe power of characters is immense. We created a striped T-shirt in orange, black, and white, inspired by the clownfish from the movie 'Finding Nemo,' which deeply moved me and my child. It was very well received.

YamazakiInitially, International Gallery BEAMS and BEAMS F, which I oversee, said they wouldn't do any 30th-anniversary projects. However, at the end of the year, we did an art project with 'Moncler' where Keiichi Tanaami, a leading Japanese art director, personally painted each piece.

ShimazuWill BEAMS venture into hotels in the future?

AonoI always wonder about that, given that we're still developing in apparel. It's the same with music, which I'm involved in. I think it's important to consider how we can do something new without neglecting our core business.

ShimazuWhat about BEAMS RECORDS for the 30th anniversary?

AonoIn October last year, we released a CD titled '1976-2006 ～BEAMS 30th ANNIVERSARY～'. I also participated as an artist.

Shimazu

ShimazuFor example, could you collaborate with me on OPENERS and BEAMS?

AonoDepending on the details, you could discuss it with Kubo or Yamazaki.

KuboLet's do it.

AonoIt would be great if we could sell it exclusively through OPENERS and the gallery, for example.

ShimazuMade-to-order might be good too.

AonoThat kind of connection would be wonderful, truly.

KuboWe could make good quality items at a low price.

ShimazuI'd love to do something like silk shirts.

AonoLet's have a design meeting soon.

ShimazuWill we be able to drink together again? (laughs)