Exploring the Allure of ALDEN (1)
ALDEN: A Tale of Encounter and Charm (Part 1)
No. 31: Memories of New York, ALDEN, Yoshida & Co., and Champagne
ALDEN / 1979–
When you think of United Arrows, you think of Alden. And so, our story begins with an encounter in New York. Please enjoy.
Text by Makoto Kajii (This magazine)Photos by Jamandfix
A rare model with a reissued 40s-50s last and a newly fitted upper. The six eyelets are also striking. Cost ¥48,000 at the time.
My first pair of Aldens were tassel loafers from Brooks Brothers. That was 28 years ago. Mr. Hiroshi Nakamura, who was then the vice president of Ships, wore them even earlier.
Our generation was raised on trad style, so when we went to New York back then, the first thing we’d buy was a pair of cordovan loafers from Brooks Brothers.
I had been making regular buying trips to New York since '77, and around '79, New York fashion, particularly centered around Ralph Lauren, began to gain significant attention.
Just then, in '80, Brutus magazine was launched by Heibon Publishing (now Magazine House), and its fashion director, Katsuhiko Kitamura, featured these items.
In '80, an exhibition called the "New York Designers Collective" started, showcasing only niche designers from New York and Europe. Only two Japanese designers were selected to exhibit: Comme des Garçons and Yoshida & Co.
At the time, Yoshida & Co. products were available at Teijin Men's Shop in Japan and were featured in Popeye magazine. I thought they were amazing bags.
Then, in 1981, they were exhibiting at the New York Designers Collective, and I asked them, 'May we handle your products in Japan?' I didn't realize they were a Japanese manufacturer.
I had read in Popeye that Katsu YOSHIDA had trained at a bag-making school in London and launched his own collection after graduating, but...
So, on February 1, 1981, we established a Yoshida & Co. corner at the newly opened International Gallery Beams. At International Gallery, we also carried brands like Paul Smith, Marcel Lassance, and New York's Pinky & Diane.
I drink so much champagne now that I think it's the most I've ever drunk in my life, and that too started in New York.
After the exhibition in New York, Katsu YOSHIDA would say, 'Let's go for dinner in Brooklyn,' and rent a limousine. There was champagne in the limo, and I really did become fond of champagne because of him. The limo cost? We split it (laughs).