We Held a Fashion Show at Our Year-End Party

MatsudaYou mentioned that you now do styling for individuals and companies, not just brand promotions.

TakahashiYes. I'm currently assisting two company presidents with their styling. For one of those companies, I also provide advice on spatial styling for common areas like meeting rooms, and conduct workshops for employees.

MatsudaSo, it's company-wide. How were the results?

TakahashiThere was a significant change within a year. Last December, we held a fashion show at the company's year-end party with people who had participated in the workshops. The theme was "The Coolest Style for Work," and each person presented based on their respective job roles.

MatsudaSo, for sales roles, there's a specific kind of "salesperson's coolness," I imagine?

TakahashiThat's right.

MatsudaSpecifically, what kind of fashion is appropriate for which job types?

TakahashiFor creatives, I believe it's important that they visibly enjoy their design work. So, even in a suit, I encourage them to coordinate it with a personal touch. For sales professionals, however, since they are in client-facing roles, trust and a neat appearance are paramount. Adding a pocket square, for instance, can elevate formality or make a suit look sharp even without a tie in warm weather. But many initially had never used a pocket square. So, we even held a workshop on how to fold and wear them.

A Single Outfit Can Change How Others React

MatsudaWhich job types were particularly interesting?

TakahashiThe presidents were the most challenging (laughs). This is because presidents often already own many high-end branded items. But clothing ultimately needs to match the wearer; sometimes expensive items suit them, and sometimes they don't. Not everything expensive looks good. When I had them try on various items I thought would suit them, their initial reaction was, "Huh? Me, in something like this?" But soon, their employees started saying things like, "He's become easier to talk to" or "He looks younger." Since then, the presidents have also become more proactive in attending events in the outfits I coordinated for them.

MatsudaWhat others say really matters, doesn't it? What are the key points to finding fashion that suits you?

TakahashiStyling is entirely unique to each individual. Of course, job type and occasion are the foundation, but the most crucial point is to bring out the person's best features. Most people, myself included, aren't models, so our proportions aren't perfect. Therefore, the goal is to conceal imperfections and highlight strengths. This brings the balance to zero, leading to an improved image and making them appear wonderful – that's my philosophy.

MatsudaI see. Do their expressions and demeanor change as well?

TakahashiThey changed completely. I also style Hiroshi Mikitani, the president of Rakuten, and I handle his styling both for work and in his private life. He now has a more vigorous and powerful impression, with a bright, cheerful face that's both refined and sexy. Even when it comes to work attire, thinking about clothes is something outside of the core job itself, isn't it? The fact that he seems to enjoy it so much, and that busy people find such time valuable, really struck me.

Profile
Representative Director, Oens
Midori Takahashi
In 1990, coinciding with the launch of Barneys New York in Japan, she was appointed General Manager of the Public Relations Department at Barneys Japan. Subsequently, after serving as Head of Public Relations at Giorgio Armani Japan, she opened Estnation, a large-scale specialty store with a strong focus on the business scene, in 2001. In June 2005, she established Oens. Leveraging her accumulated experience and knowledge, she handles everything from branding and PR for various brands to shop production. She has also garnered attention for her image consulting and styling services for individuals and corporations, a field that was virtually non-existent in Japan until then.

Oens Website
http://oens.net/