Adding Jewelry Gave the Collection Depth

—First, please tell us about how John Elliott and M·A·R·S met.

John Elliott (hereinafter, John)About three years ago, while browsing at Isetan in Shinjuku, M·A·R·S caught my eye. I fell in love instantly and bought about three items, including an onyx charm. His work is meticulous, and above all, it has an aesthetic. Even in L.A., people like Kanye West and A$AP Rocky would ask me, 'Where did you get that?' and I received many compliments.

In other words, you wanted to incorporate Yoneyama's aesthetic. I believe that by collaborating, we were able to add depth to the entire collection.

YoneyamaI still vividly remember the day I received an email from John. It was the morning of a business trip to Osaka, and a staff member asked, 'We received a contact from an L.A. brand called John Elliott, do you know them?' I replied, 'Know him? I wear his clothes often and I like them!' (laughs).

So, I was truly delighted when I received the acceptance. Even the biggest fashion houses struggle to tell a coherent story through a single collection. But M·A·R·S achieves that. I feel honored to be able to collaborate with such a brand.

Only Sweatshirts, Denim, and T-shirts Were Available

YoneyamaLikewise. By the way, I heard that you decided to become a designer after receiving a response from Nike when you sent them a design at the age of eight.

JohnThat's right. I have a learning disability, and I had trouble fitting in at school. Because of that, my parents supported me in developing my artistic talents. My father also showed me the right path to becoming a fashion designer. For example, he advised me to start in retail, study, gain wholesale experience, and then begin an internship. So, I spent about 12 years in the fashion industry before starting as a designer after college. John Elliott started with a few friends and limited funds, but that experience was invaluable.

YoneyamaThe sweatshirts and pants are signature pieces of your brand, and they are also my favorites. Were they your first creations?

JohnYes. With limited funds and starting a brand in Los Angeles, the only options were T-shirts, sweatshirts, and denim. The Escobar sweatpants and the VILLAİN hoodie with side zips were among the first things I designed. They are still our best-selling items.

YoneyamaT-shirts and hoodies are familiar to everyone from childhood, and in a sense, they are everywhere. But there's something different about John Elliott's products when you wear them. They have a relaxed feel, yet they are incredibly beautiful. I realized they were made with serious dedication.

JohnMy biggest focus was on functionality. First, I considered how to make it easy to store things while riding a bicycle. Also, I thought kangaroo pockets were a bit childish, so I wanted a design that looked sleek. From that perspective, the idea of adding side zips emerged.

YoneyamaRings and necklaces also have their established conventions and expectations that must be met. Within that framework, it becomes important to break those conventions and express one's own identity. When I wore John Elliott's hoodie, I felt a connection to the process of jewelry making.

Page02.The Collaboration Features Art Deco Elements

The Collaboration Features Art Deco Elements

YoneyamaWhen we began the collaboration, the mood board you shared beforehand included photos of Art Deco architecture from the 1920s and 30s, such as elevators, doors, and windows. It also featured modern cityscapes, giving it a mixed feel. Where did you draw inspiration from for that?

JohnThe buildings in downtown L.A. were built about 100 years ago. They retain the Art Deco style that came from Europe. Nowadays, new coffee shops are opening within them, and they coexist harmoniously. I wanted to express that sense of balance.

YoneyamaI also love Art Deco, and since we were able to share the concept clearly beforehand, it made the process very smooth. I enjoyed it.

JohnI was incredibly excited from the moment I received the initial design sketches. I could already imagine models walking the runway wearing the jewelry. It also made me realize again how vast and deep the Japanese fashion market is. Japan has many discerning customers, but there are few brands with the kind of dedication that M·A·R·S has in America. It tends to be dominated by large brands, like trading companies. In that context, it's a joy to be able to deliver such quality products to American consumers.

YoneyamaI'm the happiest one, though (laughs).

Honest Craftsmanship is Our Common Ground

JohnWhile there's the aspect of design, I feel we have more in common in our dedication to creating things and our approach to it. I believe that honest craftsmanship always resonates with people, even if it's not always beneficial in business terms.

YoneyamaI always think about how we can make things more functional or refine the details for the next creation. Perhaps it's just my own desire for satisfaction.

JohnWe feel exactly the same way. Although we have many basic, classic items, we are constantly thinking about how to improve them. The appearance doesn't change much, though. Yes, we really are similar. If you're amenable, Yoneyama, I'd love to continue collaborating in the future.

YoneyamaOf course, the pleasure is all mine. Shall we start by discussing the next collection over a meal? (laughs).

John Elliott x M·A·R·S Special Collaboration & Christmas Collection
Special collaboration items with John Elliott will be released first in Japan at Isetan Shinjuku Men's Building. Additionally, new items such as limited-edition Christmas earrings, recommended as gifts, will be available.
Period: December 12 (Wed) - December 18 (Tue), 2018
Stores: Isetan Shinjuku Men's Building 1F Men's Accessories
Address: 3-14-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

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