Conservative, Yet Playful

Maki YoshidaTo begin, how do you think French men generally perceive dressing well?

Olivier CoindreIn a word, I believe French men are quite conservative when it comes to fashion.

YoshidaReally? Our impression is that French people are always fashionable and seem very free (laughs).

OlivierIn a sense, there's a strong tendency to adhere to tradition. Of course, many young people are interested in fashion, but when it comes to clothing, I think many men prefer to dress in a 'masculine' way, much like their grandfathers or fathers did.

YoshidaI see. So, are there any prominent fashion trends currently observed in France?

Ties Disappearing from the Office?

OlivierThe number of people wearing ties is definitely decreasing. It's becoming polarized: either extremely conservative individuals or those who are exceptionally stylish wear ties.

YoshidaThat's quite surprising. In Japan, the image of a working man in the office is often someone wearing a tie. Does it depend on the profession?

YoshidaHowever, if ties are no longer an opportunity for sartorial expression, doesn't that make cufflinks and other accessories even more important?

OlivierYes, exactly. In fact, more and more people are forgoing ties and instead enjoying fashion with cufflinks or belts. Furthermore, they seek a sense of fantasy in these items, choosing colorful designs, shapes, and fun materials to express their playfulness. Nowadays, you're unlikely to be refused entry to a restaurant for not wearing a tie.

YoshidaI see... In France, a fashion capital, I had always assumed that a smart appearance meant a suit and tie (laughs).

OlivierHowever, regarding rings, it's a bit different. In Tokyo, I often see businessmen wearing rings as a fashion statement, but in France, a man wearing a large ring is still considered quite bold.

YoshidaIndeed, I think Japanese men started wearing rings for fashion quite early. In Europe, men have a history of wearing accessories since the Middle Ages, so perhaps accessories originated from formal wear. In Japan, lacking such a history, there might have been less resistance.
First, they wear jeans, then casual accessories... Reaching the level of cufflink fashion seems to require some training; in Japan, it's perceived as something for fashion connoisseurs (laughs).

OlivierI see. It seems the situation is a little different in France (laughs). However, when it comes to rings, France is not yet a mature market (laughs).

Men's Accessories: Increasingly Popular

YoshidaIndeed, many other jewelry brands are also launching full-fledged men's lines, aren't they?

OlivierThe burgeoning of men's accessories is a global fashion trend, and I predict a boom is on the horizon.

YoshidaWhat specific image do you have in mind?

OlivierTo use cooking as an analogy, French cuisine used to be dominated by rich, butter-laden dishes. However, since the advent of Nouvelle Cuisine in the 1970s, lightness and simplicity have become valued in cooking, with popular menus featuring a blend and fusion of different genres, unconstrained by tradition.
This is also true for fashion; I believe light styles that fuse various tastes will become mainstream.

YoshidaSo, it is indeed an era of 'lightness'…?

OlivierIt's possible to appear polished without a tie, and it's no longer accurate to say that 'informal' equals 'not elegant'.