FASHION /
MEN
May 1, 2015
HANKYU MEN’S TOKYO | Report on HANKYU MEN’S TOKYO x OPENERS '2013 Autumn Night'.
A Special Night of Live Performances and Talk Shows Centered on "Black"!
HANKYU MEN'S TOKYO x OPENERS "2013 Autumn Night" Report
Hankyu Men's Tokyo kicked off its Autumn/Winter 2013 season with "Urban Black" as its theme. On Friday, August 30th, an event called "2013 Autumn Night" was held to enjoy autumn fashion ahead of the season. From the basement to the 8th floor, a variety of "black"-themed events took place, including live performances and talk shows in collaboration with our magazine, OPENERS, as well as floor-specific fashion shows and a one-night-only jazz bar.
Text by OPENERSPhotographs by JAMANDFIX (LIVE)Photographs by TAKADA Miduho (SNAP)
Special Live Performance—These Two Have It All Under Control
As 8 PM approached, a crowd gathered on the stage near the first-floor entrance. The live performance by "2 of a Kind," a saxophone duo featuring Atsushi Yanaka of Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra and Shinsuke Fujieda, known for his work with Polar Chalours, was about to begin.
Applause erupted as the two took the stage. Without much preamble, they launched into their performance. They started with "Blue Flame," a sophisticated, mid-tempo piece perfectly suited for the evening's theme. Yanaka's baritone saxophone laid down the rhythm, while Fujieda's soprano saxophone wove the melody. The approach wasn't about forcing energy, but rather about gently drawing the audience in.
The development and arrangement, remarkable for just two saxophones, were nothing short of masterful. They captivated the audience, playing mostly original compositions like "Happily Ever After" and "Unknown Promenade," tunes that exuded adult sophistication. The stage truly embodied the "Urban Black" atmosphere.
"Thank you all for coming tonight," said Yanaka. "It's truly enjoyable when the audience gets into it. We're very happy to have this opportunity. Please enjoy yourselves until the end, even though it's a short time."
The set lasted only 30 minutes, until 8:30 PM. The performance continued with "Jack Flash," "Parade," and "Marriage In Clover."—While Yanaka primarily handled the rhythm and Fujieda the melody, their occasional switches were thrilling. It was a jam session, but these two were completely at ease, which is likely why they could so effectively engage the audience.
By 8:30 PM, the first floor was packed, with no room to move. As the final song, "Cuban Twister," began, the audience started clapping along. Perhaps sensing the crowd's desire for more, the interplay between the two on stage intensified. They built upon the riffs with depth, concluding their performance to thunderous applause. The live set by 2 of a Kind perfectly matched the atmosphere of Hankyu Men's, exuding both glamour and excitement.
Special Talk Show—Examining "Black Attire" from Various Angles
Following the live performance by 2 of a Kind, a talk session themed "Urban Black" commenced on the same stage on the first floor.
The participants were Atsushi Yanaka of Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, who had just finished performing, stylist Yoshiyuki Shimazu, and OPENERS Executive Director Norio Osumi. It was, in essence, a jam session between the music and fashion worlds.
Naturally, the dress code for the evening was "black." Yanaka wore an Armani suit with a simple black shirt. Shimazu sported a tuxedo jacket, vest, bow tie, and slim-fit black trousers, topped off with a black hat.
Osumi, who also served as moderator, began by outlining the history of "black clothing." He traced its origins from military uniforms in menswear, through formal and ceremonial attire, to contemporary fashion and business suits.
Yanaka remarked, "Indeed, musicians throughout history and across the globe have favored black." This sentiment held true, as jazz musicians from the 1950s, rock artists from the 70s, and even contemporary French techno pioneers all shared a fondness for the color black.
Shimazu discussed styling for the autumn/winter season. "In autumn and winter, black items naturally become more prevalent. If you're aiming for an all-black look, combining items with different textures will create definition." He explained that using various materials like tweed, flannel, mohair, and silk adds depth and dimension to the styling.
Both Yanaka and Shimazu demonstrated a deep appreciation for music. Shimazu noted, "Speaking of which, wasn't it during the 'Rooftop Concert' that Paul McCartney first wore a black suit?"
This referred to the Beatles' gig on the rooftop of Apple Corps in London in 1969, at a time when the band was on the verge of breaking up. The accompanying photograph showed Paul McCartney in a black suit, suggesting this might be the origin of the "rock musician = black suit" association.
The 20-minute talk session explored "black clothing" from historical, cultural, and musical perspectives. It was particularly noteworthy how many attendees, especially men, appeared to be fashion enthusiasts.
Guests' Dress Code: "Urban Black" in Line with the Autumn Theme
HANKYU MEN'S TOKYO x OPENERS "2013 Autumn Night" Snapshots
While the saxophone duo "2 of a Kind" performed live and a special talk show took place on the first floor as part of the Hankyu Men's Tokyo x OPENERS collaboration, other exclusive events were unfolding on various floors of Hankyu Men's Tokyo. For this occasion, 15 pairs of OPENERS readers were invited as guests, with a private room reserved for a special snapshot session exclusively for them.
Welcome to a Special One-Night Event, Dressed in "Black"!
Dress up and go out with that special someone.—Hankyu Men's Tokyo hosts "Men's Night" as such an occasion. While offering an early opportunity to refine autumn style, this event, with its "Urban Black" dress code, brought together gentlemen and ladies from across the country, all adorned in "black" fashion.
The program distributed to guests detailed the events on each floor, from the basement to the 8th, with a schedule running from the "2013 Autumn Night" start at 7 PM to its conclusion at 10 PM, allowing attendees to enjoy their preferred activities. Furthermore, world-class spirits such as Rémy Martin, Ballantine's, Hibiki, and the Japanese sake "Dassai" were served to guests on each floor.
For this "2013 Autumn Night," 15 pairs (30 individuals) of OPENERS readers were invited. After champagne service in a private room, a snapshot session was held. Caught up in the lively atmosphere of the event floors, everyone's smiles were radiant.
The snapshot session also featured Toshihiko Yamaguchi, the store manager of Hankyu Men's Tokyo, and Mitsuhiro Nishigamine, a stylist who conducted a mini-seminar on "Black Formal" at the 4th-floor members-only "Style Making Club." Guests and staff alike proudly showcased their individual interpretations of "black" attire.
[getContents id="817885"]