The 47th: S.T. Dupont's Olivier Cochet x M.Y. LABEL's Maki Yoshida Dialogue (Part 2)

The 47th: S.T. Dupont's Olivier Coquelin x M.Y. LABEL's Maki Yoshida

On Men's Style (2)

This is the second installment of our conversation with Olivier Coquelin, Artistic Director of S.T. Dupont, our esteemed guest from France.
Our discussion ranged from products that reveal meticulous attention to detail, to the way Japanese men dress themselves.

Compiled by Fuyuki TogawaPhoto by Jamandfix

Where Cutting-Edge Technology Meets Traditional Craftsmanship

Maki YoshidaSo, could you tell us about the products?

Olivier CoquelinAs you know, S.T. Dupont was founded in 1872 by Simon Tissot Dupont as a leather goods atelier, specializing in briefcases and wallets for diplomats and businessmen. Since then, we have continued to craft meticulously detailed leather goods, such as luxurious, one-of-a-kind travel cases, made by skilled artisans.

YoshidaWhen people think of S.T. Dupont, they probably first think of the lighters that make that distinctive 'ping' sound when opened.

OlivierThat's true. However, that sound is produced by the configuration and assembly of various components, so not all of our products make that sound.

Today, we offer a wide range of products, from leather goods to lighters, smoking accessories, fountain pens, accessories, and apparel, and have grown into a fashion brand supported by discerning men worldwide.

YoshidaIs this a new series? This is black mother-of-pearl, isn't it? It's exquisite.

Black Mother-of-Pearl

OlivierThis is our "Black Mother-of-Pearl" collection, which received an award from the pen magazine "Le StyloGraph."

YoshidaThe lighters use black mother-of-pearl over a considerable area. And the surface is flat, too. ... Sourcing the material must have been quite challenging (laughs).

OlivierIndeed. The shell is from Tahiti, and it's a rare series with a rich, iridescent sheen.

YoshidaAnd this is a new product? It's a pen with a USB drive.

OlivierYes, it's from the "Neo-Classic" series. It retains the luxurious lacquer feel and simple, straight lines of the popular "Classic" ballpoint pen, first released in 1973. This "President" model is equipped with a 4GB USB memory.

YoshidaIt certainly has a substantial build.

OlivierWe first released a USB memory pen in 2004, but we believe we were the first to create such a luxurious style of USB drive, rather than something that looked like a mere office supply.

YoshidaI see. Many brands now offer USB drives...

OlivierWe consider the fusion of the latest technology with tradition to be a crucial concept for Dupont products. We view the USB drive as a 'pen of the future.'
Currently, it has a 4GB capacity, but an 8GB version will be released soon. We also have new projects underway, such as hard disk drives.

YoshidaI always associated Dupont products with a serious, conservative image, but it seems you also have playful items like this.

Diamond Case

OlivierThis is the "Diamond Case." It's a modern take on Dupont's signature travel cases, designed as a personal 'study' filled with one's favorite things. When you open the case, it unfolds to reveal compartments for a laptop, favorite CDs, books, family photos, candles, even a teddy bear, allowing you to be surrounded by your cherished items anytime, anywhere.

YoshidaThis is incredible. To put it bluntly, I love that you're making such a whimsical item with such seriousness (laughs).

OlivierHowever, being made of crocodile, it weighs 20kg, making it impossible to carry around (laughs). Originally, Dupont's atelier created one-of-a-kind pieces, so the ability to customize details according to customer requests and the playful spirit of creating unique items with utmost seriousness are hallmarks of Dupont.

Are Modern Japanese Men Quite Stylish?

YoshidaBy the way, what are your thoughts on men's fashion as you observe it here in Japan?

OlivierI find it sophisticated. Japanese men seem to pay more attention to their style than men in France or Europe.

YoshidaDo you really think so? (laughs).

OlivierYes. Especially men around 35 and younger seem to have a good grasp of coordinating accessories like bags and shoes. I've heard that Japan has a more hierarchical society than France, but within that structure, there seems to be more room for playful expression. While the French are perceived as free-spirited, we are actually quite conservative.

YoshidaSo, Japanese men are more advanced... That's a bit surprising.

OlivierEvery time I visit Japan, I find new inspiration. The way Japanese people coordinate their fashion, adding a unique twist to enjoy style, feels more engaging than in France, and I find it very intriguing.

YoshidaIn what aspects do you perceive this?

OlivierPerhaps the concept of 'masculinity' differs between Japanese and French men.

YoshidaI see, that might be the case.

OlivierAlso, I wonder if Japanese people are very particular about details. It's difficult to explain precisely, but I think it ultimately manifests in the silhouette.

YoshidaThe silhouette... Is something amiss?

OlivierNo, in a positive sense (laughs). Japanese people have a way of dressing that is uniquely Japanese. When my designer and creative friends visit Japan and return, they all say they found it incredibly interesting.

YoshidaIs that so?

OlivierHumans experience the world through their five senses. I suspect that for Japanese people, information is first processed intellectually, then felt, and finally experienced physically. Europeans, on the other hand, tend to feel and act instinctively, perhaps making us more primal (laughs).

YoshidaOh, no. That's quite an interesting perspective.

OlivierThe thoughtfulness and service in Japan are incredibly attentive to detail. As an example, I was amazed by the "umbrella bags" provided at the entrance of department stores on rainy days.

YoshidaThose 'umbrella bags'...

OlivierOf course, not all services in France are lagging, but when I visit Japan, I always receive kind service, whether at a restaurant or a shop, and that's also a pleasure.

YoshidaWe tend to get used to it when living here... Thank you for sharing your valuable insights today. It's been a truly meaningful time.

(End)