FASHION /
MEN
May 1, 2015
HANKYU MEN'S TOKYO | Lighten Up: April's "DRESSING GREEN"
HANKYU MEN'S TOKYO | Hankyu Men's Tokyo
A Natural Elegance Style Expressed in the Season's Trending Colors
Lighten Body and Mind: April is "DRESSING GREEN"
Among this season's trends, botanical and floral patterns inspired by leaves, fruits, flowers, and vines found in nature are particularly noteworthy. Incorporating these into your wardrobe allows for a sophisticated yet casual look. Naturally, a wide range of green hues and tones are available.
Hankyu Men's Tokyo proposes outfits that use green as an accent color against a beige base, complemented by small floral patterns and linen materials. A variety of green accessories will also be featured.
Text by KAJII Makoto (OPENERS)Photographs by JAMANDFIX
Enjoy Comfort, Texture, and Color
Regarding the April theme "DRESSING GREEN," Keisuke Tokura, a buyer at Hankyu Men's, states, "We focused on 'green,' this season's must-have trend color. Many designers at Paris and Milan Collections highlighted green, partly influenced by the global renovation movement. It's characterized by combining fashion elements with traditional 'eco' consciousness."
He further adds, "We also can't overlook the growing attention on stylish lifestyles incorporating green in sophisticated urban spots like Portland and Brooklyn in America, and Shirokanedai in Tokyo."
Tokura advises on styling green: "The key is to use green as an accent color. Instead of vivid color coordination, the trick is to use beige or off-white as main colors to create a clean and gentle impression."
He also comments on the wide array of green accessories and goods: "For example, pair a shirt with a light green hue with a bag in a different shade of green to create a nuanced look."
On the left in the photo above is this season's must-have J.PRESS 100% linen knit jacket, designed for a relaxed fit. Made with Hardman's linen from Teikoku Sen-i, it offers a refreshing feel suitable for early to mid-summer and comes in 12 colors. It features an anchor motif pin badge on the collar, evoking a nautical theme.
On the right is a tote bag from GALLERIANT, available exclusively and in advance at Hankyu Men's. Both bags are crafted from supple, uniquely textured goatskin that feels soft and molds to the hand. The bag released first (top) has a kasuri-patterned lining, while the limited edition bag (bottom) features a floral print lining. The handles are attached using a meticulous sewing technique that sandwiches the body and gusset seams, creating a natural look and silhouette when worn.
On the right are casual shoes from "BOWEN," a shoe select shop with multiple locations in Paris. Their "Fairmount" collection, featuring moccasins, includes tassel slip-ons made with translucent suede and playful loafers crafted from vibrantly colored embossed leather, both available exclusively at Hankyu Men's.
And then there are Ray-Ban's Wayfarers, an icon of rock music since their debut in 1952, beloved by countless music and film fans. This year's new models focus on color and material, offering a rich lineup including frames and lenses in green, as well as leather-wrapped versions.
The First Floor Entrance of Hankyu Men's Tokyo Transforms into a Healing Space
In line with the April theme "DRESSING GREEN," the entrance of Hankyu Men's Tokyo has been transformed into an "urban oasis." It feels as if you've wandered into a spring forest, surrounded by sun-dappled new green foliage, with the gentle sounds of birdsong and flowing water.
Regarding this concept, Tokura comments: "We are presenting 'green,' this season's must-have trend color, in a sophisticated, dressy casual style. Please experience the exquisite fusion of Hankyu Men's Tokyo's unique urban aesthetic and natural elements."
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HANKYU MEN'S TOKYO | Hankyu Men's Tokyo
"DRESSING GREEN ~Adorn Yourself in Green, Refresh Your Senses~" (1)
Elm Trees and Leaves: The Reason Why
Hankyu Men's Tokyo Becomes an Urban Oasis Immersed in Verdant Spring Scenery!──Until April 22 (Tuesday), the first-floor entrance space of Hankyu Men's Tokyo has been transformed into a special area filled with greenery and the sounds of the forest.
This installation is a collaboration between "parkERs," a leading company in green space design, and "KooNe," an acoustic design system by "Victor Entertainment," known for creating superior soundscapes. It's as if you've stepped into a spring forest, where sunlight filters through new leaves and the gentle chirping of birds and murmuring of a stream welcome you.
Text by KAJII Makoto (OPENERS)Photographs by SUZUKI Shimpei
Expressing the Freshness and Beauty of Spring with Elm Trees
Nobuhiro Yukishige, the green coordinator for "DRESSING GREEN ~Adorn Yourself in Green, Refresh Your Senses~" at Hankyu Men's Tokyo, has 20 years of experience. Upon seeing the spacious and open first-floor entrance of Hankyu Men's Tokyo, he chose elm trees and leaves as the theme, aiming to "bring green into the cool atmosphere of fashion and gently balance the space."
"Rather than simply bright and light green, I selected elm trees and leaves as the main elements for their substantial presence, fitting for the Men's Building," Yukishige explains.
──What were your initial thoughts when you first heard about the "DRESSING GREEN ~Adorn Yourself in Green, Refresh Your Senses~" project at Hankyu Men's Tokyo?
YukishigeI felt it was very timely. Fashion has the power of the moment, and I wanted to express the simple charm of nature so that incorporating nature into fashion becomes a lasting trend. I wanted to express the simple charm of nature.
──Could you tell us about the highlights of the facade decoration this time?
YukishigeIt's about the experience. I hope visitors can feel the tranquility of being among trees and the comfort of being enveloped in greenery.
──This project is a collaboration with Victor's acoustic design system "KooNe." What kind of effects are you expecting?
YukishigeI believe the charm of nature is experienced through all five senses. Among these, sight and hearing are crucial elements for perceiving the atmosphere. This synergy, I believe, is multiplicative rather than additive, and I expect it to create a "transportive" feeling through the combination of our respective efforts.
──Do you have a message for those visiting Hankyu Men's Tokyo during this period?
YukishigeUnlike flowers, green tends to be favored by men. While the power and influence of women, like flowers, have grown significantly in recent years, I hope that by embracing green, a color that embodies gentle embrace, visitors will spread kindness and the beauty of nature to those around them.
parkERs
http://www.park-ers.com/
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HANKYU MEN'S TOKYO | Hankyu Men's Tokyo
"DRESSING GREEN" ~Adorn Yourself in Green, Refresh Your Senses~ (2)
The Reproduction of "Sounds of Nature" Sharpens the Urbanite's Senses
Greenery coordinated by "parkERs," a top company in spatial design, and the chirping of birds and babbling of streams that seem to emanate from nowhere.──The feeling of stepping into another world, away from the noise and clamor, is created by "KooNe," an acoustic design system by "Victor Entertainment." Experience this "comfortable space" that offers a temporary escape from the city's hustle and bustle.
Sensory-Level Spatial Design That Balances the Five Senses
"KooNe" was launched in December 2012 as a spatial acoustic design service utilizing a sound system with "high-resolution audio," which surpasses CD quality.
Seiya Enomoto, Executive Producer and Head of the Entertainment Lab at Victor Entertainment, explains, "We began internet distribution in April 2013. KooNe is a service that provides a relaxing environment, and we developed the speakers accordingly. By enveloping the entire space with indirect sound, the audio blends naturally into the environment."
──What were your initial thoughts when you first heard about the "DRESSING GREEN ~Adorn Yourself in Green, Refresh Your Senses~" project at Hankyu Men's Tokyo?
EnomotoI resonated with the concept of "DRESSING GREEN." The idea of living in harmony with nature and embracing nature in a relaxed state aligns perfectly with the direction of our spatial acoustic design service, "KooNe." The phrase "refresh your senses" is essentially KooNe's tagline.
We are seeing a decline in sensory perception due to urbanization, and we believe that future spatial design must focus on creating environments that balance the five senses at a sensory level. Therefore, the "DRESSING GREEN" initiative was particularly compelling.
──Could you tell us about the background behind the creation of KooNe?
EnomotoOur surroundings are filled with sound, but the quality of that sound is increasingly deteriorating. For example, looking at music media, we've moved from LPs to CDs, and now digital music files are the norm. This progression signifies a move further away from the original sound.
Furthermore, the sound environments (components) in nature and urban settings differ significantly. Specifically, urbanized spaces are said to have a极めて low level of inaudible components (high-frequency elements) that are abundant in natural environments like rainforests and forests. As humans are inherently part of nature, this disconnect is not ideal. With this in mind, "KooNe," a spatial acoustic design service, was developed to improve the comfort of any space by recreating "sounds of nature."
Recording Forest Sounds to Express Their Texture
──Could you explain the effects and features of KooNe in the facade installation this time?
EnomotoWe are using authentic forest sounds. These are recorded using the highest level of recording technology available (high-resolution sound recording) in forests such as Okuchichibu and Shirakami-Sanchi, capturing their textures. High-resolution sound is composed with approximately 550 times the density of standard CD quality, creating an immersive experience that makes you feel as if you are truly in the forest. Additionally, KooNe features dedicated speakers developed to reproduce natural sounds and a unique spatial design that recreates natural soundscapes.
──This is a collaboration with green decor. Do you have a message for visitors?
We are using real greenery for the decor as well. And the sounds from KooNe faithfully reproduce the sounds of the forest. We hope that customers visiting "DRESSING GREEN" will experience a heightened sensory space that values the essence of authenticity.
KooNe
http://www.koone.jp/
The inside story of the "Hankyu Men's Tokyo x KooNe" collaboration is here
http://www.koone.jp/feat/feat5.html
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