Meeting Simon Taylor

Keisuke Baba visited the shop, half-surprised, asking, "Simon nominated me?" He recalled, "I remember Simon talking about clothes about five or six years ago. I didn't ask for details, but I never imagined it would come to this."

"I've known Simon for about 12 or 13 years, but we must have crossed paths at clubs I used to go to when I lived in London in the mid-80s. That would make it about 30 years ago. British people are similar to Japanese people; when you first meet, they're not open and seem reserved, but as you spend time together, they open up and become more familiar. That's how my relationship with Simon is," Baba said.

"Simon really likes Japan and Japanese people. He works in a similar field, graphics, while I focus on fashion. We have many mutual friends in both Japan and the UK. Simon recently quit drinking, but we used to drink together often back then."

British Trad Mind is a Favorite of the Japanese

WORK NOT WORK draws inspiration from the traditional styles of 19th and 20th-century artisans, creating collections by weaving together the beautiful individuality of laborers whose work and clothing naturally merged.

Simon Taylor believes that "the value of a thing lies in what it signifies" and holds a deep respect for British tradition and the passion for craftsmanship that has been passed down through generations.

Baba commented, "The color choices in WORK NOT WORK's clothing are exactly like the image of 'Simon's colors.' Although the design concept is said to be based on early 20th-century Europe, the materials and silhouettes are modern and refined, offering a style that Japanese people are likely to appreciate."

He was also intrigued by the interior of the "KITTE Marunouchi" store, which he visited for the first time. "I was impressed by how well-executed it is. The shelves, which are said to be inspired by old libraries, and the wallpaper are very much Simon's style. I expected a more old-English interior, but it's very contemporary. The fact that it's not just nostalgic is probably because Simon uses a PC for graphics and design," he remarked.

Keisuke Baba
Born in Kumamoto Prefecture in 1958. At the age of 28, he moved to London and met stylist Atsushi Okubo. Two years later, he returned to Japan and began working as a stylist's assistant, becoming independent after one year. In addition to his work as a stylist and fashion creator, he is also active as a DJ. He also owns the shop "ENGLATAILOR by GB" in Jingumae, Shibuya-ku.

Page02.What is the Appeal of British Men's Clothing?

An Era When Fashion and Music Were Linked

Stylist Keisuke Baba moved to London at the age of 28. "I wanted to live abroad, so I considered New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, where I could use English, and London. But I listened to more London music than American pop, so I went to London," Baba said.

He found Londonized music like The Beatles, Pink Floyd, and Led Zeppelin more familiar than American pop. "London in the mid-80s was fun. I liked the cold, dark winters, and I enjoyed browsing markets for vintage clothes and antiques. And at night, I'd go to clubs. Simon might have been in the same spaces then. While not at their peak, there were many unique individuals in the city, like punks, skins, and mods."

At that time, he also met people from the creative group "BUFFALO," led by stylist Ray Petri, as well as Judy Blame, John Moore, and Christopher Nemeth, and said, "It was filled with a very creative atmosphere."

"Just as punk and mods created major global movements by synchronizing music and fashion, fashion trends must synchronize with sound. That connection has weakened in the internet age," he stated.

Men's Clothing for Today

"The early 20th-century British clothing that WORK NOT WORK draws from is essentially uniform. Workwear was designed to be easy to wear, flattering on everyone, simple, functional, and not to be worried about if it got dirty. The colors were limited to earth tones or black, but above all, the fabrics were superb back then. The feel and texture of natural materials, the way they creased – it was all wonderful, though heavy and stiff (laughs). Simon creates clothes that can be worn today while fully understanding that charm."

For this feature, Baba chose a single-breasted coat (Single-breasted Coat Wool Liner) from the Autumn/Winter collection. "At first glance, it's simple and very nice. But the lining features a camouflage pattern of the Tudor rose, the national flower of England, which is a key point that conveys the brand's message," Baba explained.

"Looking at the collection as a whole, while the motifs are indeed historical, the patterns are adapted for ease of wear, and the fabrics are light and easy to style. You can wear them frequently without worrying about wrinkles or dirt, and they allow you to express your own style," he said.

When asked about the appeal of British men's clothing, he replied, "For better or worse, it lacks sex appeal. That's what I like most about it – it's not 'pickup artist' clothing."

WORK NOT WORK URBAN RESEARCH KITTE Marunouchi
1F, JP Tower KITTE Marunouchi, 2-7-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Business Hours: 11:00–21:00 (Mon–Sat), 11:00–20:00 (Sun/Holidays, until 21:00 on days before holidays)