Not Concerned with Brands

This is the third book by Kazuo Hozumi, following "Picture Book: Ivy Boy Encyclopedia" and "Picture Book: Ivy Girl Encyclopedia." For this new release, his first in 34 years, the structure has been altered from previous editions, all illustrations are newly drawn, and it is fully in color, incorporating many items suitable for the modern era.

Hozumi is known as a pioneer among Japanese illustrators and as someone who adopted Ivy as his personal style. What's important here is not "fashion that changes with the times," but his "unwavering sensibility" that evolved Ivy into his own style.

Therefore, the book includes expressions that are "not overly helpful," such as "I'm not particularly knowledgeable about brands myself" and "Fashion is ultimately something you decide for yourself." However, I feel that Hozumi's unique perspective on fashion is embedded within these statements. His own famous quote, "I am the brand," exemplifies this.

 

For Adults Seeking Their Own Style, Not Just Fashion

This statement is not born of arrogance, but is a value system that has emerged from a man's way of life, who has passionately loved Ivy since the post-war period. I believe it encapsulates many meanings: what he has seen through consistently wearing Ivy, and what he wishes to convey.

Modern young people constantly consider others, are connected through social media, and extremely avoid being alone. This implies they cannot establish their own criteria for judgment, and the lines of what they deem good have become blurred for everyone.

One answer to this is "Picture Book: Ivy Encyclopedia." The reason is that it cultivates a common sense approach to clothing: buying your own clothes, not based on brands, and wearing what you like comfortably. Since Ivy itself is a style, if you thoughtfully incorporate the items featured in this book, your adult wardrobe will be beautifully organized.

And in his preface, he concludes:

"If you can master Ivy well, you should be able to easily incorporate and wear other trends as they come. I greatly anticipate you becoming even more stylish than you are now."

From menswear to womenswear, cufflinks to bags, and even kimonos. This book, which teaches timeless basics across a wide range of genres from an Ivy perspective, will likely be more helpful in building your own unique style than any fashion snapshot.

 

"Picture Book: Ivy Encyclopedia"
Now Available
Author: Kazuo Hozumi
Publisher: Banraisha
Specifications: Hardcover, A5 size, 128 pages
Price: 2,484 yen