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March 6, 2015
ISETAN MEN’S | Buyer's Feature | The 6th Floor of the Men's Building: A Showcase of Schott & A Tweed Festival!
ISETAN MEN’S | Isetan Shinjuku Men's Building
Contempo Casual Buyer, Takehiko Suzuki
A Showcase of Schott, A Tweed Festival!
Isetan Shinjuku Men's Building celebrates its 8th anniversary since remodeling. This year, as the full autumn/winter season begins on Wednesday, September 7th, the "Only MI" fair, highlighting limited-edition items, will commence. Takehiko Suzuki, the buyer for Contempo Casual, is in charge of the 6th floor. "At the Men's Building, casual wear can be categorized as: creators on the 2nd floor, luxury on the 3rd, authentic on the 7th, and contemporary on the 6th. Please leave the discerning casual wear, sensitive to current trends, to us," he says.
Text by OPENERSPhotos by Emiko Hara
Classic yet new. Nostalgic yet modern. Find such items on the 6th floor!
"The 6th floor of the Men's Building was remodeled two years ago. Since the denim collection was brought together in one place, the fusion of high-fashion sensibility with authentic pieces has deepened the color of contemporary casual wear. More men are choosing clothes they want to wear now, based on their own fashion sense and judgment. The 6th floor, where trends and sensibility resonate, will offer exciting new projects this autumn/winter," says Mr. Suzuki.
Purchase 01
Schott x 6 Designers: Isetan Original Peacoat
Classic silhouette, custom fabric!
"Last year, we purchased Schott's classic Melton peacoat and had four brands remake and arrange it. The project sold out instantly and received a tremendous response.
This year, we are launching a Schott project in collaboration with six brands: Hipihapa, KATO, Nigel Cabourn, Pascal Donquino, Sci-Fi, and Soundman."
"We asked the six brands to select fabrics from their collections, original fabrics, or deadstock fabrics, and sent them to Schott's factory in the U.S. to be made into their classic peacoats – a reverse import project. We will offer seven styles across the six brands."
"For example, Seichi Kaga, the designer of Hipihapa, created a camouflage pattern using original fabric with 'needle punching' – a technique where yarn or fabric is embedded into the base material using a needle-punch tool to create a pattern. Hiroshi Kato of KATO fashioned a peacoat from the royal blue fabric used in this season's collection."
Scheduled for release from mid-September at Isetan Men's Building, JR Kyoto Isetan, and JR Osaka Mitsukoshi Isetan, with a limited production of approximately 20 pieces each."
Schott Peacoats: ¥66,150 each (Isetan Shinjuku)
Purchase 02
Schott x Tweed Anniversary Project
Congratulations! Harris Tweed 100th Anniversary
"This year marks the centenary of Harris Tweed. From Schott's premium limited line, 'PERFECTO BRAND by Schott NYC,' comes a classic rider's jacket made with Harris Tweed. Inside, it features a special 100th-anniversary label in black and gold. Schott's rider's jackets and peacoats are popular outerwear choices that pair well with denim, and they are expected to meet expectations again this year."
Schott Rider's Jacket: ¥78,750 (Isetan Shinjuku)
Purchase 03
Custom "Soundman" Spanish Coat
Original fabric, limited to 10 pieces!
"Soundman is a brand that also participated in the peacoat project. They are a notable brand that designs contemporary interpretations inspired by current music, film, and media, based on traditional British and American clothing categorized as tailored, workwear, military, or sportswear."
"This Spanish coat features custom tweed fabric and details like leather accents, showcasing meticulous craftsmanship. With a limited production of about 10 pieces, be sure to act fast!"
Soundman Custom Spanish Coat: ¥72,450 (Isetan Shinjuku)
Purchase 04
Custom "PREMIUM theory" Denim Pants
An "Outlast Denim Project" Matching Today's Sensibility
"Outlast, an acrylic yarn developed for NASA, is a revolutionary material that contracts when it's hot and expands when it's cold, maintaining a body temperature of 32°C ±1°C. We created an Isetan original 12-ounce denim fabric that can be worn year-round using this material. While Outlast is typically used in socks or innerwear, it's a perfect material for this season when people are seeking practical clothing from their lifestyle, given the increasing focus on eco-consciousness and ambient temperature."
"We had Agnes b., Notify, CK Calvin Klein, PREMIUM theory, and Design Works create various items using Outlast. These are the denim pants we commissioned from PREMIUM theory."
"Denim allows for various treatments like washing and distressing, so even with the same base material, each piece has a unique expression, resulting in an interesting small collection. They will be released from September to October."
PREMIUM theory Custom Denim Pants: ¥28,350 (Isetan Shinjuku)
Purchase 05
"Bark" Knit Duffle Coat
Buyer Suzuki's Top Recommended Item!
"During a business trip to Italy in June, I saw this Bark coat being compared with high-end brand coats in a shop, and I thought, 'This will sell.' It's my top recommended item: this long-length knit duffle coat."
"It comes in six colors, including a beautiful orange, and trendy khaki and light gray. It perfectly aligns with 'Color Talk,' one of this season's themes, and the fact that it can be worn over a jacket is also a great feature."
Bark Knit Duffle Coat: ¥72,450 (Isetan Shinjuku)
Takehiko SUZUKI(Left in photo)
Joined Isetan in 1989.
After joining, he was primarily responsible for casual wear at Isetan Shinjuku Men's Building.
2004– Manager, International Creators Sales, 2nd Floor
2008– Manager, Contemporary Casual Sales, 6th Floor
2009– Buyer, Contemporary Casual, 6th Floor
Isetan Shinjuku
3-14-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Tel. 03-3352-1111 (Main Switchboard)
http://www.isetan.co.jp/