We Deliberately Chose a Muted Gray, Perfect for Autumn and Winter

The new "Chic Rock T-shirt" from "B・G brand" was conceived with the idea of "moving away from our usual edgy designs to something a bit more chic," explains producer K-CO, also known as Keiko Toda. Designer GO, or Takeshi Ueki, expresses his delight: "The finish is even better than I imagined!"

— Please tell us about the concept behind the new T-shirt.

TodaWe've created flashy items before, so this time, while keeping some sparkle, we wanted something chic that could be worn anywhere, by people of all ages. That was the concept.

— What does "BG0207" on the chest signify?

UekiB is the second letter of the alphabet, and G is the seventh. Initially, we thought of "2007" because "B・G brand" started in 2007. But when we shuffled the numbers, we got "0207," which matched the order of the two letters. That's when we decided on "BG0207."

TodaThat's right. And we wanted to add rhinestones. We also included "Show must go on," which is our theme. And because we wanted a focal point, we decorated it with what we call a "petit knight skull" – a knight motif in a pop of color.

UekiSince the theme is "Chic Rock," we added it as a subtle, single accent.



TodaThis time, instead of the usual black and white, we deliberately chose black and charcoal gray. We selected a chic gray so it could be worn as an inner layer even in autumn and winter. The fabric is as sturdy as always, and I prefer necklines that don't stretch out even after repeated washing, so please try it on. My friend still wears the T-shirts from 2007!

UekiWe had never tried black print on gray before, but it turned out interestingly. You can style it maturely by wearing a jacket or vest over it, or by wrapping a scarf. Pairing it with a long-sleeved T-shirt is also, of course, a great option.

TodaIt's really easy to coordinate. You can never have too many T-shirts, so please add this one to your favorites.

The Enthusiasm to "Let Our Audience Enjoy the Live Show According to the Local Vibe"

— Congratulations on your casual live performance in June.

TodaThis was our fifth time at Sweet Basil in Tokyo, and it's becoming a regular event. We started at Nagoya Blue Note last year, and this year we embarked on a mini-live tour covering Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka. With each casual live performance, I feel more and more that it's a space for me to be my true self. It's a free space, completely different from a place where I deliver given lines or songs; it's a place where I express myself with my own words and through songs I've chosen.

— That feeling certainly comes across to the audience.

TodaSince around the last performance, I've come to see it as a place to show my "real self." And with the support of my younger brother, Go, the choice of who best fits each performance has felt increasingly right. I'm also surprised and delighted by the number of new audience members each time; the age range is truly wide.

UekiBecause I feel trusted, I put a lot of thought into it.

— Go, did you feel anything particular during this casual live performance?

UekiI can feel your enthusiasm, Keiko-san, to "let our audience enjoy the live show according to the local vibe," and it comes through in your song choices. You're thinking about the audience while enjoying yourself, and that's evident from the stage. I'm learning a lot from the wings (laughs).

TodaI realized I had gotten the first verse wrong, and I was wondering what to do about the second when Go immediately instructed, "Let's do the second verse like this." Usually, I have more life experience, and I pride myself on leading. But that time, I thought, "He's so reliable!" (laughs) I thought, "Wow, he's cool," for the first time! (laughs)

UekiI enjoy the casual live shows too. I get to do things I don't normally do, like singing harmonies.

TodaI hope people enjoy the "chemical reaction" of an actress and a hip-hop dancer doing something like this. Many of Go's fans become interested in what I do, and I often receive letters starting with, "I'm a fan of Ueki-san, but..." A segment called "Sibling Heartwarming Revelations" is becoming a staple of the live shows, and it gets funnier each time. There's so much we can do during the live performances, and we often discuss things afterward.

— In the second part, please introduce the new bags.

Keiko Toda | Introducing the New "B・G brand" Mini Tote & Pouch! (Part 2 here!)




Osaka Performances
Advance Ticket Sales Start | Sunday, July 25, 2010, 10:00 AM
Ticket Prices | ¥7,800 (All Seats Reserved / Tax Included)
Ticket Outlets | Kyodo Information
Tel. 06-7732-8888 (10:00 AM – 7:00 PM)