Dressing Up and Stepping Out Makes You Happy!

ShimazuOf course, OPENERS readers, and we who are involved in fashion, have all been affected in some way since March 11th. What about fashion?

GenmaThat's true. Nevertheless, we must create good things. It's certainly an era where creators must strive harder. Japan tends to fall into negative campaigns, doesn't it? I sometimes think we don't need to hear such negative things on the news. When you consider living each day to the fullest, I feel it naturally leads towards happiness. If we keep trying, I don't think things will get worse. I believe there's nothing good to be gained from negativity.

GenmaA friend of mine lives in LA, and he says everyone there is honest. People might say they only know Hollywood, but that's only about 5-7% of the whole city. What's honest about LA people is that if a Japanese person thinks a Mercedes gullwing car is cool and wants one, they won't buy it. But LA people apparently say, 'I want it, so I'll buy it.' I feel many Japanese people worry too much about what others think, or follow what others are doing. We should stop that. Let's have our own opinions. I think this kind of attitude is best right now.

ShimazuIt's like crossing the street while looking at everyone else, step by step. We're a single ethnicity that, unfortunately, worries more about criticism from one person than pleasing a hundred others (laughs). It seems everyone has that somewhere in their hearts.


GenmaI think people are getting tired of SNS and other online communication. In fashion, perhaps, on a good level of individual shops, I feel we're entering an era where real human-to-human communication will be more sought after.

ShimazuThe internet is convenient for finding things that already exist, but for anything else, I feel its necessity is diminishing. As you said, Genma-san, we might need to seriously consider its role in information exchange and communication between people. Like the amulet I mentioned earlier. I went all the way to Ise Grand Shrine in the typhoon to buy it. It took about eight and a half hours, but it was quite a place. I offered my prayers in the driving rain. As I was doing it, I realized that people have roles. I think most people don't know their role, but then I thought, 'What is my role?' and it made me realize, though I'm still at the beginning. There are lucky people and unlucky people, aren't there? It's just my opinion, but I think lucky people know their roles. In other words, it's about finding the right person for the right job.

GenmaI have a friend, a photographer named Shoji Uchida, who says something important: experiencing things is crucial. Including travel distance, experiencing various things. From my perspective, Shimazu-san, you've experienced so many incredible things. To experience something, you have to go out. I can only imagine what amazing times you had living abroad in such a different era. You've experienced things we only hear about as legends. Therefore, I believe it's incredibly important for everyone to dress up and go out. Especially in times like these, I think we should all go out and have fun. That, in turn, makes you think about what to wear, doesn't it? It's the same with clothes; wearing Prada is different from wearing an inexpensive brand. Having worn good clothes leads to great happiness, I believe.

ShimazuThat's right. That's experience. And it allows us to change and always feel fresh. What's lacking is the tendency to become indifferent, to not enjoy things, including fashion. Just wearing what your wife buys for you, or thinking fast fashion is enough. I often see scenes in dramas where a wife picks out a tie and says, 'This is the one for you, dear,' in a Showa-era style, and I used to think, 'That's impossible!' (laughs) 'Pick out your own tie!'

GenmaImpossible, right? (laughs)

ShimazuI think people have a certain indifference, ingrained somewhere, regarding these everyday things. To put it extremely, it feels like they might only be passionate about something like figures as a hobby. I think it would be good if they experienced a wider range of things within food, clothing, and shelter, considering TPO.

GenmaThe meal you made, Shimazu-san, was incredibly delicious. I was amazed.


GenmaProbably over 200,000 yen. It's fun to dress up with something like a small diamond, too.

ShimazuWhen I went to Isetan, I saw a crocodile belt at UNDERCOVER, and it was great. It's not about a single luxurious item, but it's nice, isn't it?

GenmaIt has that studded look, like what they used to sell at A Store Robot. I like that too.

ShimazuYes, it has a slightly grotesque feel.

GenmaLike the Louis Vuitton baseball jacket we mentioned earlier, it's an exotic taste with crocodile. A bit of edginess. The other day, Kiyohara-san of SOPH. was wearing Tricker's made of crocodile. Apparently, they were custom-made. That kind of borderline vulgarity is good, isn't it?

ShimazuLove it, love it, love it.

GenmaI hope everyone tries these things as part of the trend starting this spring/summer. Also, gold watches. It's interesting to try things that are normally avoided.

ShimazuI wear Louboutins normally.

GenmaAt the risk of being over the top, right? Blue velvet slip-ons are also nice.

ShimazuYes, those are super funky. They make you feel energetic! (laughs)

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On Music That Lifts Your Spirits

ShimazuSince the atmosphere feels stagnant, shall we talk about music that makes you feel good?

GenmaI love dance music. Music around 100 to 110 BPM, a bit slower. House is around 120 to 130 BPM. Music that loops endlessly, like Mark E or The Revenge. At the same time, Keith Jarrett and Glenn Gould.

ShimazuI listen to that. It's good. I also DJ, and then I play rare groove. Also, surprisingly, I've been listening to Japanese enka lately. I feel like enka is good for karaoke. Deep enka. Like Keiko Fuji. I also do a show called 'Yokayo Night,' but do you know Machiko Soga? The person who voiced Obake no Q-taro.

GenmaAh, I know who you mean.

ShimazuShe has a song called 'Nazo no Onna B' (Mysterious Woman B). The title is good, isn't it? And Chiaki Naomi. Shinichi Koizumi has a radio show where he features 'Black Enka.' Songs that are heavy, melancholic, and make you think, 'Wow, this is tough.' Why did this topic come up? Because I listened to those when I was a child. I didn't understand the lyrics, but Koizumi-san said, 'The older I get, the more I understand these heavy lyrics,' and I feel the same way (laughs). My good friend, Kyoichi Tsuzuki, also runs a bar called 'Urban,' and it's all deep enka. Right now, enka is a hot topic among my circle; we're discussing who's good and what's good.

GenmaMy friends also listen to new music. Like Takao Kisugi (laughs).

ShimazuJunko Ohashi is also good. She's wonderful.

GenmaI think the mastering from that era is excellent.

ShimazuMusic can make you happy and help you connect with others. Especially in times like these, let's listen to music and keep going!

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