FASHION /
MEN
October 6, 2015
Takeo Kikuchi and Atsushi Okubo Discuss the "30th Anniversary Final" of the Brand | TAKEO KIKUCHI
TAKEO KIKUCHI
TAKEO KIKUCHI Brand 30th Anniversary Final Items Released
Takeo Kikuchi and Atsushi Okubo Discuss the 30th Anniversary Final (Part 1)
“I always get interesting information when I meet Atsushi,” says Takeo Kikuchi, while Atsushi Okubo remarks, “He always has the same atmosphere; it’s a bit embarrassing, but I’m happy when we meet.” The two have unveiled collaboration items to commemorate the “TAKEO KIKUCHI Brand 30th Anniversary Final.” Mr. Okubo appeared wearing the three-piece suit from “The Stylist Japan × TAKEO KIKUCHI.”
Photographs by Itaru KobayashiStill Styling by Issei InadaText by Makoto Kajii (OPENERS)
Someone I Didn't Know How to Approach
Atsushi Okubo (hereinafter Okubo)I first met you at the bar in Tulia (a disco that used to be in Roppongi). Until then, I didn’t know if I should approach you.
Takeo Kikuchi (hereinafter Kikuchi)Atsushi was full of energy and flashy back then (laughs).
OkuboI clearly remember you saying, “You always wear such flashy ties~”
KikuchiAfter that, you helped me with my fashion shows.
OkuboThat’s right. First, it was the “Takeo Kikuchi Grand Exhibition” for the Autumn/Winter 1990 collection held at the Theatre Cocoon in Bunkamura, Shibuya. I also remember styling the show for the Autumn/Winter 1991 collection, which took place in the atelier on the third floor of the TK Building in Nishi-Azabu.
KikuchiThat was the show where Mark Panther was a model, wasn't it?
OkuboDuring the fitting for that, I thought, “This could be done differently,” and asked you, “Can I change this?” You replied, “Ah, sure,” and your expression then is something I still can’t forget… Time has passed, but you haven’t changed at all since then.
KikuchiI don’t feel like I’m working (laughs). There’s no sense of work or tension (laughs).
Clothes Born from Takeo Kikuchi's Playfulness
KikuchiDo you remember when members of a basketball team came from New York for a fashion show?
OkuboYes, that happened. I believe it was the Spring/Summer 1992 collection. The venue was the basement of the World Nishi-Azabu Building.
KikuchiDuring that fitting, Atsushi said, “How about an item that combines a jersey and a shirt sleeve?” and made a garment on the spot. I thought your ideas were amazing.
OkuboSomething like that did happen. But I can’t compete with your playfulness (laughs). You enjoy everything, from work and life to music, cars, and how you drink; you’re stylish and cool. All of that is reflected in your clothes. Men’s fashion, unlike women’s, doesn’t have a lot of variation, so ultimately, it’s a direct expression of the person’s character, form, and their belief in what looks good. You’ve always had your antennae up, and your playfulness becomes your inspiration. It’s incredible that you’ve continued this for over 30 years.
TAKEO KIKUCHI in its 31st Year
KikuchiThe brand celebrated its 30th anniversary last year, but I wasn’t consciously aware of it. I’ve just been accumulating year after year; we held the 30th-anniversary events as a milestone. I hadn’t done a show for a long time, so I wanted to “present the clothes I’m envisioning now to the world.” I held a show in March, the first in 13 years, and after it was over, I felt calm (laughs).
OkuboSeeing the show in March, as someone who has helped behind the scenes, I thought, “This is it.”
KikuchiContinuing a brand for 30 years is difficult, but if you enjoy it, you can keep going.
OkuboThat’s true. If it’s not fun, you can’t continue. I enjoy deciding what to wear each morning. I post my daily outfits on my blog (http://ameblo.jp/ohkubo-atsushi/), whether I’m wearing a suit or something casual, and I think I’d be in trouble if that feeling disappeared.
Page02.Talk & Item Introduction (Part 2)
TAKEO KIKUCHI
TAKEO KIKUCHI Brand 30th Anniversary Final Items Released
Takeo Kikuchi and Atsushi Okubo Discuss the 30th Anniversary Final (Part 2)
Mr. Okubo styled Mr. Kikuchi’s final collection when he stepped away from the scene, and they have a deep connection, as evidenced by Mr. Okubo styling the photography pages for Tadanobu Asano in the special SWITCH issue “ISSUE ♯1 Bon Voyage ~Takeo Kikuchi’s Choice~” published in 2003. More recently, items from Mr. Okubo’s brand, “The Stylist Japan,” have been available at the flagship store, “TAKEO KIKUCHI Shibuya Meijidori Honten.” The collaboration items celebrating the brand’s 30th anniversary will be released on Friday, September 18th, at select TAKEO KIKUCHI stores and the official TAKEO KIKUCHI online store.
Workwear with Excellent Balance
KikuchiI’m very happy that we could collaborate with Atsushi’s brand, The Stylist Japan, for the finale of the brand’s 30th anniversary. Atsushi’s ideas and styling are important factors in my career.
OkuboI’m truly delighted that this collaboration allowed us to release items in my favorite classic silhouette. This suit was created with the concept of “what if young people wearing streetwear wore suits,” and it has gradually permeated over the years. This collaboration has brought it to another form.
KikuchiIt’s workwear with a great balance, and it’s casual.
OkuboYes. It’s clothing meant to be worn as one wishes, but it also projects a desire to not be straightforward, to break the mold, to betray expectations.
KikuchiThe clothes Atsushi makes are fundamentally basic, yet nothing is purely basic. This is also a reflection of Atsushi’s nature. It’s great to make the clothes you want to wear yourself.
Introducing the 30th Anniversary Final Collaboration Items
TAKEO KIKUCHI collaborates with The Stylist Japan, a brand that brings stylist Atsushi Okubo’s dreams to life one by one. The collection, infused with Mr. Okubo’s career and sensibility, can truly be described as “adult menswear.” This time, it combines The Stylist Japan’s classic three-piece suit with herringbone tweed material used as a showpiece in the TAKEO KIKUCHI 2015 Autumn/Winter collection.
As Mr. Okubo says, “I wanted to make a suit from workwear material.” The jacket features a 2-button silhouette with no darts or vents, three patch pockets, and antique metal buttons on the front and sleeves, with a slightly shorter length. The pants have a relatively straight silhouette. It is available in two colors: brown and navy.
From the interactions with Mr. Lucien Pellat-Finet, who supported past shows, come knitwear featuring eyeglasses shaped with Swarovski crystals and a baseball cap from the “lucien pellat-finet × TAKEO KIKUCHI” collaboration.
A unique motif, combining lucien pellat-finet’s iconic skull with TAKEO KIKUCHI’s symbolic polar hat and eyeglasses, is expressed through intarsia on high-quality Scottish cashmere knit. The baseball cap features a striking skull motif, combining different materials like melton and leather. These collaboration items will be sold from Friday, September 18th, at select TAKEO KIKUCHI stores, the online store, and lucien pellat-finet directly managed stores.