"Men's Clothing is Uniform"

"417 by EDIFICE" proposes simple daily wear to create a youthful French trad style. It's only natural that this brand, which develops items with keywords like marine, work, and military, would collaborate with Mark McNairy.

This is because the Mark McNairy brand also creates clothing based on the philosophy that "the roots of men's fashion lie in uniforms." Uniforms are, after all, work and military clothing. Is it an exaggeration to say that this collaboration is both natural and inevitable?

To commemorate the launch of this collaboration line, an event was held on April 17th (Thursday) at "417 by ÉDIFICE Shibuya," with designer Mark McNairy in attendance. We asked McNairy a few questions about this collaboration.




──Please tell us about the theme of this collaboration, "Sidewalk Surfin."

"It means surfing on the sidewalk, in other words, skateboarding. It's inspired by the early 1960s West Coast skateboarding scene. Musically, think The Beach Boys or The Ventures. It's definitely skateboarding, not surfing."

──Do you skateboard yourself?

"No, I don't. It's purely about inspiration. Whether it's basketball or baseball, there are various sports, and I get influenced by their uniforms and styles. Fundamentally, all men's clothing originates from 'uniforms.' Not just sports, but work, military... that's how it is."

──What is your favorite item from this collaboration?

"All of them, obviously (laughs). Well, I particularly like the pants with ribbed waist and cuffs, in a camouflage print. Another favorite is the gray wool trousers. They're made from fabric typically used for tailoring, but designed in a casual style. They're comfortable."

──Did the collaboration with "417 by ÉDIFICE Shibuya" go well?

"It was fantastic. No problems at all."

"Shoes Are the Most Important Thing"

──Let's talk about your career as a designer. You've been the creative director for J. Press and Walkover. What drew you to these classic American casual brands?

"Regarding Walkover, don't you think the 'Dirty Buck' and 'White Buck' (suede oxford shoes in tan and white) styles are perfect? They're brands I love. My own collection also started with shoes, and it was a collaboration where we influenced each other positively."

──Your private collection also features many shoes, doesn't it?

"Yes, I like shoes more than clothes, both as a designer and in my personal life. Shoes are the most important element. People are judged by their shoes. You can be a handsome guy in New York, wearing a great suit, shirt, and tie, but if your footwear is lacking, it ruins everything."

──Let's talk about clothing. Your collections often feature patterns like dots, camouflage, monograms, and checks. What's the reason behind this?

"I just like them. But it's not just any pattern. Even with camouflage, I select from many variations, and for gingham checks, I prefer navy and white. For dots, I like them to be slightly larger."



──You have many fans in Japan as well. Do you have a message for them?

"Japan is a country that has embraced traditional clothing from America and Britain. I believe select shops like ÉDIFICE have helped spread that style. Japanese people have an understanding of 'traditional things.' That's why I like Japan."

This collaboration line is available at "417 by ÉDIFICE Shibuya." The collection includes a variety of items such as shirts, T-shirts, sweatpants, and trousers. The designs are simple yet playful, featuring prints and embroidery characteristic of Mark McNairy's style. We encourage you to see them for yourself.


417 by ÉDIFICE Shibuya
Tel. 03-5456-6971
*An original bandana will be gifted to purchasers of collaboration items (limited quantity).