FASHION /
MEN
May 1, 2015
HANKYU MEN’S TOKYO | March 2013: The 'Power Suit' collection for the driven businessman.
HANKYU MEN'S TOKYO | March 2013
The "Power Suit" Collection for the Passionate Businessman!
Mastering Navy, the Classic Business Color, This Spring
While navy suits might evoke images of job hunting or entry-level positions, navy, when expressing strength, is inherently a color that suits business elites in their prime. This spring at Hankyu Men's, we propose the "Power Suit" – a navy suit coordinated with brown fashion accessories. This new business style, featuring smart silhouettes, is crafted with navy suits ranging from light to dark shades. We asked Mitsuhiro Nishigamine, a popular stylist at Hankyu Men's Tokyo's 4th-floor "Style Making Club," about the secrets and allure of this look.
Text by KAJII Makoto (OPENERS)Photographs by JAMANDFIX (STILL LIFE)Photographs by TAKATA Miduho (PORTRAIT & SHOP)
Supporting Men with a Flair for Fashion in Building Their Wardrobes
The Style Making Club is a membership organization where dedicated stylists meticulously propose coordinated outfits in response to members' requests to "find a style that suits them." Hankyu Men's Tokyo currently boasts over 700 members, just a year and a half after its opening. The most appealing aspect is that for a mere ¥3,000 membership fee, you can utilize the service as many times as you wish, which is incredibly helpful for busy individuals. Stylist Mitsuhiro Nishigamine is a seasoned professional with a career dedicated to men's fashion at Hankyu Department Store. After working at the Style Making Club in Hankyu Men's Osaka, he has been with Hankyu Men's Tokyo since its opening.
Mitsuhiro Nishigamine
"I can recall the feel of a suit fitting for at most a minute. Even within a single department store, it's quite a task to try on suits from multiple shops across different floors. At the Style Making Club, however, you can try on suits that we've pre-selected from across the entire store in our members-only fitting room on the fourth floor. We then assist with fitting, sizing, coordination, and accessory selection, offering our advice," says Nishigamine.
Another significant draw of the Style Making Club is that there are no usage fees or annual dues, and you're not obligated to purchase anything you try on. Members' sizes and profiles are inputted into a tablet, and their shopping data is added. This allows stylists to grasp a member's wardrobe at a glance, enabling them to provide more precise advice.
Navy: The Symbol of Prosperity, Suited for the Ambitious Man
"When I speak with customers, we sometimes discuss the economy. Since the end of last year, I've noticed an increase in people who can answer with a smile when asked about their business outlook. Regarding work attire, many are showing interest in blues and navies, breaking away from the somber grays and blacks of the past. I can sense this shift towards a brighter mindset through my interactions with customers. This spring, I highly recommend paying attention to lighter-toned ensembles. Navy, in particular, is a classic and sincere color befitting business settings. As the shade lightens, it conveys a more dynamic impression. For those over 40, I recommend a sharp, bright navy known as 'Hana-kon' (flower navy). And for those in their 20s and 30s, I want them to rediscover the charm of navy."
Furthermore, the key to styling lies in creating a sense of playfulness and ease, rather than strict formality. "While the overall look is classic and elegant, for a power suit, I wouldn't necessarily recommend the Obama-esque navy suit with a red tie for the V-zone. Instead, opt for colors like burgundy, brown, or purple. Alternatively, choose a tie that's a lighter shade than the suit, or one with an interesting texture like linen blends or knits. Incorporating matte textures like suede also completes a modern take on the power suit."
"They say people are 90% about appearance. We live in an era where first impressions are crucial. We can help you not only enhance your presence but also ensure your attire is appropriate for any occasion," says Nishigamine. Through the Style Making Club, he hopes customers will enjoy the pleasure of dressing stylishly, whether for business, dating, or parties.
The New Power Suit Style: Versatile Navy with Dark Brown Accents
NAVY COLLECTION | Navy x Dark Brown = Dressy
Introducing a Tight-Fit Silhouette, Exclusive to Hankyu Men's!
This season's theme for New Yorker is "heritage-MODERN," inspired by a contemporary art exhibition held in a New York gallery. This setup suit features New Yorker's first "tight-fit silhouette," available exclusively at Hankyu Men's. Crafted from a refreshing mohair-blend chambray fabric, the lighter shade of navy enhances its cool appeal. The unconstructed tailoring also softens the sharp silhouette. Coordinating with落ち着いた brown accessories like bags, belts, shoes, and socks adds a dynamic touch to the sharp look.
Jacket ¥55,650 (New Yorker), Shirt ¥11,550 (HITOYOSHI), Tie ¥9,450 (Franco Spada Comfort)
NAVY COLLECTION | Shoe Coordination
Choose for Value or Prestige: Enjoy Selecting Your Shoes
Shoe selection significantly impacts the elegance of a suit. We offer popular models from Union Imperial, known for their hand-sewn construction and comfortable fit at a price point in the ¥30,000 range, as well as Hankyu/Takashimaya's original brand, Intreza's punched mesh suede. Additionally, explore popular models from Crockett & Jones's highest grade, the Handgrade collection, and Santoni's playful suede designs. Select "handsome" dress shoes.
From top: Shoes ¥77,700 (Crockett & Jones), Shoes ¥37,800 (Union Imperial), Shoes ¥82,950 (Santoni), Shoes ¥29,400 (Intreza)
NAVY COLLECTION | Navy x Dark Brown = Casual
Add "Dressy" Textures to Navy for a Fresh Coordinate
Kent & Curwen pursues "MODERN ENGLAND" each season, offering high-quality and innovative collections. This setup suit, exclusively available at Hankyu Men's, uses "HAVANA FABRIC," a mohair-blend material from Marzotto in Italy. Its characteristic crispness from mohair, combined with a chambray finish, creates a refreshing feel. The softness that conforms to the body and the surface sheen elevate this piece. Paired with a thin brown knit tie and suede shoes and belt, it adds a sophisticated, casual touch to a simple navy ensemble.
Jacket ¥55,650 (Kent & Curwen), Shirt ¥11,550 (HITOYOSHI), Tie ¥9,450 (Franco Spada Comfort)
NAVY COLLECTION | Bag Coordination
Choose a Business Bag with Your Work Scene in Mind
Bags and shoes add a personal flourish to a flawless suit style. While the basic principle is to match classic suits with classic designs and contemporary suits with modern designs, intentionally disrupting this balance can also be part of the enjoyment of wearing a suit. For a power suit, a high-quality leather bag is a must. We recommend briefcases from Ergo Pouch, offering excellent storage and functionality for business travelers or those carrying many items, or Whitehouse Cox's popular briefcases made from bridle leather, known for its durability and strength. Select a bag that gains character and pride with age.
Top: Bag ¥44,100 (Ergo Pouch), Bottom: Bag ¥73,500 (Whitehouse Cox)
NAVY COLLECTION | Navy Tonal Coordinate
Focus on the "Tonal" Style: A Monochromatic Ensemble!
The Trotter Jacket, a bestseller from Mackintosh Philosophy, evolves each season. The "Grand Zero" model, the core of the Trotter Jacket #000 series, is designed for "10 months" of wear, combining wrinkle resistance and washability with a material suitable for year-round use. Pair this regular-fit slacks with a navy tie, bag, and socks, and black shoes for a smart business elite look that handles work with ease.
Jacket ¥36,750 (Mackintosh Philosophy), Shirt ¥11,550 (HITOYOSHI), Tie ¥9,450 (Franco Spada Comfort)
NAVY COLLECTION | Navy Tone-on-Tone Coordinate
Navy x Light & Pastel Blue: For the Refreshing Businessman
New Yorker by Keita Maruyama offers a modern classic style that blends the traditional New Yorker aesthetic with designer Keita Maruyama's playful designs and vibrant colors. This setup suit uses mohair-blend yarn, creating a beautiful sheen and crisp texture for natural comfort. Coordinate with a light blue shirt, pastel blue regimental tie, and brown bag and shoes to create a lively and individualistic navy style.
Jacket ¥51,450 (New Yorker by Keita Maruyama), Shirt ¥11,550 (HITOYOSHI), Tie ¥9,240 (The Tie International)
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