Black that enjoys texture and layering, not cold and solid black.

This season, Hankyu Men's Tokyo presents "Urban Black," an elegant pursuit of the charm of "black for the mature man." Hiroyuki Yorikawa, Hankyu Men's General Merchandise Manager, states, "Black is pervasive from formal wear to casual wear, yet it's surprisingly difficult to master. We are challenging ourselves with black, which is difficult to style, for the first time as Hankyu Men's."

"In the early 80s, at the Paris Collections, Comme des Garçons and Yohji Yamamoto introduced all-black fashion, leading to terms like 'Black Shock' and 'Crow Tribe.' Since then, black in fashion has permeated various items through several trends. Today, black appears in everything from cars, home appliances, PCs, and tablets to daily necessities and even food like hamburgers. If you look around, people often choose black."
"This time, we focus on black as a part of lifestyle, rather than black as a fashion statement from the 80s. Instead of 'all black,' we propose a smart black that is rooted in one's own life and consciousness, using navy and blue as accents," says Yorikawa.

He adds, "One of the key pleasures is skillfully layering elegant and warm materials unique to autumn and winter, rather than cold, solid black."

A sophisticated jazz bar in the city. How adults spend their time together.

Regarding "Urban Black," Yorikawa explains, "Black in fashion has evolved from its traditional strong gloss and rugged appearance to an elegant, deep, and sophisticated black for mature men. The occasions where such attire suits are jazz bars where one can enjoy drinks, time, and music. We propose the pleasure of sharing refined moments through stylish outfits that subtly incorporate elegant black, whether with male friends or as a couple."

He also notes, "In terms of clothing styles, classic and basic pieces are mainstream without being overly ostentatious. However, adding a matte texture to these can be very elegant, and the enjoyment of owning good items made from good materials is a characteristic of this season's black."

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What's the secret to a dress-up style?

Furthermore, Hiroyuki Yorikawa, Hankyu Men's General Merchandise Manager, states, "To create a stylish look by combining the image of a sophisticated urban man with black, mixing textures is a key point. When thinking about styling black, the image of formal wear or hosts often comes to mind. It's often approached from the perspective of making a statement or blending in. However, the mature black proposed by Hankyu Men's is a dress-up style using black. Suits and setups made from the same material give a clean impression, but to look stylish, try skillfully combining different materials and textures—for example, a black leather outer with a black wool or cotton inner, and black denim—to create an elegant and sophisticated black."

He also mentions, "In terms of leather goods such as smartphone cases, wallets, and belts, there is a rich variety of black materials available. From luxurious exotic leathers to high-quality smooth leathers, you can express your personal preference and enjoy the world of glossy black," says Yorikawa.

Enjoying "Mature Black" with Hankyu Men's Tokyo Exclusive Items

Under the "Urban Black" theme, notable items include "TAKEO KIKUCHI," which uses "Dormeuil" fabric, considered the finest quality suiting material, and the limited collection "London Shrunk" from Onward Kashiyama's original brand "Gotairiku x Dormeuil." Additionally, "KENT & CURWEN" offers a jacket made from Hankyu-exclusive black corduroy, and "NEWYORKER" presents a Hankyu Men's exclusive suit made from homespun jersey material.

Also available are a nylon blouson from "G-Star RAW," a leather jacket from "EPOCA UOMO," and black denim using Coolmax from "MACKINTOSH PHILOSOPHY." The collection also features limited-edition pleated shirts from the Italian shirt brand "NARACAMICIE UOMO" for Hankyu Men's Tokyo, showcasing a range of "mature black" items across various brands.

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Mastering "Glossy Black" Accessories

For the "Urban Black" theme proposed by Hankyu Men's Tokyo, accessories play a crucial role in supporting the styling. From essential items like bags and shoes to cufflinks, bracelets, and even fragrances, black makes it easy to incorporate items that enhance a man's allure.

Particularly recommended is a tote bag created as a Japan-exclusive capsule collection to commemorate the 30th anniversary of "TUMI's" ballistic nylon bags. The Hankyu Men's Tokyo exclusive tote, a combination of nylon and patent leather, features a novel design that marks a new chapter in TUMI's history.

Additionally, a Hankyu-exclusive model of the popular "Legato" series from bag brand "Dunhill" in black will be released. From "Zanellato," the "POSTINA," an official mailbag of the Italian Ministry of Post, will be offered in a Hankyu Men's Tokyo exclusive version with gray suede on the sides.

From Shoes to Fragrance: "Urban Black"

In footwear, the Jodhpur side-gore boots and wingtips from the Parisian heritage shoe brand "Sartore" are particularly interesting for the upcoming season. Accessories include cufflinks from "Tateossian," a designer known for titanium x onyx and silver 925 x onyx designs, from their 2013 Autumn/Winter collection, aligning with the "Urban Black" theme. Furthermore, from the jewelry brand "Innoce," a special "Urban Black" version of the currently popular Italian tennis bracelet will be available, featuring silver 925 with cubic zirconia.

Yorikawa also adds, "For Crockett & Jones, we have an original Hankyu-exclusive chukka boot, and popular Spanish brand Magnanni also offers an exclusive model. Maintaining and wearing high-quality shoes for a long time is one of the pleasures for a man. Please find your favorite pair of black shoes."

From the popular fragrance corner on the first floor of Hankyu Men's Tokyo, we recommend the Eau de Parfum "L'Amour Black." This exclusive fragrance was created by Olivier Creed, the sixth-generation perfumer, to express "temptation," the opposite of the pure scent "Love in White." The bottle, a mysterious jet-black that gathers light, embodies the irresistible allure hidden within elegant attire, further enhancing the mystique of the Creed family's fragrances. The bottle neck is adorned with a black velvet ribbon, symbolizing the charm exuded by a woman in an evening gown.


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Luxury Brands Loved by Celebrities Open!

New Opening ①: Saturday, August 24th, BALMAIN HOMME Launches

On Saturday, August 24th, the French luxury brand "BALMAIN HOMME," helmed by designer Olivier Rousteing, opened on the second floor of Hankyu Men's Tokyo. In addition to its signature captivating collections, exclusive items such as pullovers and denim pants will also be available.

New Opening ②: Saturday, August 24th, DOUBLE STANDARD CLOTHING/him Arrives

On Saturday, August 24th, "DOUBLE STANDARD CLOTHING/him" opened on the sixth floor of Hankyu Men's Tokyo. Founded in 1999, the brand proposes original styles by fusing contrasting elements like modern and classic, cool and emotional, with its unique sensibility. Its appeal lies in its meticulous craftsmanship, made in Japan, using supple and lustrous Italian fabrics.

YAMAHA Motorcycles & Musical Instruments Expressing the World of "Mature Black"

"MEN'S CLUB x HANKYU MEN'S TOKYO Urban Black Special Week"
Wednesday, September 4th - Tuesday, September 10th, 2013

Ride through the night city on a sophisticated adult motorcycle. Spend time alone, away from business, while listening to pleasant jazz. Two scenes symbolizing the urban styling of today's mature man with "black" will be presented alongside "Urban Black" fashion: the YAMAHA "TMAX530 BLACK MAX" motorcycle and YAMAHA musical instruments.

Saturday, September 7th, 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: One-Day Special Stage
A special stage expressing the sophisticated world of "Urban Black" will be held on the first floor of Hankyu Men's Tokyo. Enjoy a superb jazz live performance featuring two YAMAHA elements: a motorcycle and musical instruments.


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Click here for the "2013 Autumn Night" talk show movie.