FASHION /
FEATURES
March 9, 2021
Fashion Magazine "PLEASE" Celebrates Its 5th Anniversary! Issue 15 is Now Available.
PLEASE
An Interview with PLEASE Editor-in-Chief Toru Kitahara!
Toru Kitahara, formerly deputy editor of Popeye, launched the independent fashion magazine "PLEASE." The latest issue, released on March 9th, marks its 5th anniversary and 15th issue. What are the thoughts woven into its pages?
Text by PLEASE | Photograph by KITAHARA Toru
PLEASE: Each issue feels so diverse, it's hard to believe it's made by the same person. How do you go about creating it?
PLEASE Editor-in-Chief Toru Kitahara (hereinafter "Kitahara")It is the same person (laughs)! Well, yes, it's not like we can completely change who's making it. But each issue, I'm desperately trying to bring something new. I have my own underlying theme, and I hope to convey that subtly.
P: What is the underlying theme for this issue?
KitaharaAlthough I called it an "underlying theme," it's boldly stated on the cover: "Fashion is Live!" We created it with the strong belief that fashion is indeed alive.
P: In what ways does this feeling come across?
KitaharaThe pandemic has created a strange sense of displacement worldwide, as if we've been pushed into another reality. Even amidst this, COMME des GARÇONS held their shows, and it was powerfully evident that fashion is meant to be worn by people, not just as a message but also in the photographs taken at the venue. I personally shot from the audience rather than the usual photographer's spot, and that's where I truly felt the "live" aspect.
P: The shows for COMME des GARÇONS HOMME PLUS and COMME des GARÇONS, both menswear and womenswear, were truly spectacular.
KitaharaI believe that for designers, shows are like a daily necessity. It's about relentlessly pursuing their daily work, isn't it? I feel we were able to capture and powerfully express that spirit in our pages.
P: The opening feature was TAKAHIROMIYASHITATheSoloist.
KitaharaThis feels like a scene from an online movie created by the designer. The passion ignited at the venue, even more so than at a show, felt truly "alive!" I wanted to present that power first. The designer's earnest and pure feelings are evident in the movie, and I hope to convey at least a fragment of that through these photographs.
P: Do you have any comments on the featured fashion pages?
KitaharaFor Givenchy, we started with the concept of blending Japanese culture with high fashion. I felt it was important to shoot in a place that had a new scent yet retained a traditional aroma. It was the unveiling of a new designer for a heritage brand. Also, if you look at the pages, we've included a little playful element. I really want readers to discover this in the magazine! It's a kind of playful touch unique to a "miscellaneous" magazine, perhaps?
P: I see. And what about CHANEL?
KitaharaWe found a wonderful model, Hazuki Onishi. I felt she was perfect for CHANEL. My intuition was correct, and we shot according to the concept I devised the day before. It felt as if she were floating in the clouds. When I looked up the French translation for "in the clouds," it also means "in a dream," which felt incredibly fitting.
KitaharaThe COMME des GARÇONS GIRL pages, a regular feature in PLEASE, have always featured two or more models. This time, it was a solo shoot, and the model was a fifth grader! Her name is Laila Yamaguchi. It was astonishing. A prodigy of an elementary schooler (laughs). I never imagined an elementary student wearing COMME des GARÇONS GIRL and appearing in a fashion magazine. Although, I did cast her myself (laughs). You'll just have to see it for yourself. She's adorable!
P: Actress Sara Minami is also on the cover.
KitaharaSara has appeared in PLEASE many times. I wanted to create a different kind of cover this time, so for the first time, we did a dedicated cover shoot. In the inner pages, she wears popular brands such as Paco Rabanne, noir kei ninomiya, Rick Owens, Vivienne Westwood, sacai, Chika Kisada, and Dsquared2. Sara looks fantastic in avant-garde fashion!
P: We're almost out of time, but do you have any final words?
KitaharaOh my! I still have so much more to say! But, I suppose it can't be helped. Starting with the previous issue, we launched an in-magazine publication called "THIS." Here, we aim to consider the Earth as our own concern. The idea is to live with the feeling that what's good for us is also good for the planet, and this magazine compiles articles reflecting that philosophy. So, there are those pages as well. Please, get a copy of PLEASE issue 15 for every household! Thank you for your support.
PLEASE Issue 16
Release Date: March 9, 2021 (Tuesday)
Pages: 140
Size: Approx. 21 x 0.9 x 29.7 cm
https://www.amazon.co.jp/PLEASE-16-%E7%AC%AC6%E5%B7%BB%E7%AC%AC1%E5%8F%B7/dp/4908722161/
