How would the four of you wear this first collaboration with g.u.?
-We asked you to wear items from "g.u." and "Engineered Garments" as an early example. What did you think of this collaboration?
Kimura: The only word I can think of to describe it is "amazing. Even those of us who have been watching EG for many years can see that it is full of "uniqueness. The scale of manufacturing has not changed. What's more, all items are shockingly priced at less than 10,000 yen (laughs).
Masuko: When I picked it up, the attention to detail was amazing. I was particularly impressed with the padded shell parka.
Masuko: First of all, the olive and navy coloring is really nice! It is made of bonded polyester ripstop with water and wind repellency, and the fact that the hem can be folded down to adjust the length is great for a wider range of coordinates.
IVY: I wore navy, and the hunting pocket on the back is really cool. In fact, today's coordinate was created with a "fashionable hunter" in mind.
<Item worn
Padded shell parka ¥9,990
IVY: As Mr. Kimura mentioned earlier, I think EG is very good at creating clothes that make the unnecessary seem necessary, and I think this coat can create an aura just by adding it to ordinary clothes.
Kimura: It is also amazing that the skin side is quilted with thin padding. It also has big pockets and is quite a gimmick. And all this for less than 10,000 yen...! To be honest, g.u., you've gone a little overboard (laughs).
Masuko: It's starting to sound like a mail-order program (laughs). Well, we who sell inline products are quite thrilled to see this quality at this price.
Masuko: Also, the heavyweight sweatpants I'm wearing are badass. These are the ones that are inline as well.
Kimura: It's coming out! This is done in a good way (laughs).
Kimura: I like that it has a center crease so it's not too casual, and it has a zipper front opening and belt loops. Great, it's already perfect (laughs).
IVY: Even though they are called sweat pants, they have a beautiful atmosphere, so you can wear them more like slacks. Even if you wear them big, you can change the silhouette by squeezing the spindles attached to the hems.
Masuko: Of course, it can also be used for sports style, and I think it will be very useful. The back is warm because it is lined with fur to keep heat in, but the weight is not that thick, so I think it is very easy to wear.
Chino: It is actually probably the best masterpiece in this collection, as it is rare to find a type that has a center crease and can be hemmed.
Masuko: Yes, there is.... Also, I think the heavyweight sweat pullover I'm wearing is a good idea.
Masuko: This sweatshirt pullover has a vintage look, but the side ribs, raglan sleeves, and cross neckline give it a classic feel. I chose the olive color this time, but the navy color, typical of EG, is also very nice.
IVY: I'm actually a "neighbor," but this color really caught my eye.
Masuko: "Neighbor! We're neighbors! Oh, by the way, the whole family loves g.u.'s heavyweight sweatshirts, and we bought three or four colors in a row. Compared to those, I feel the weight is a little light.
-〈g.u.〉's inline heavyweight sweatshirts have been renewed this season with a slightly lighter and easier-to-wear material. It seems to be more comfortable to wear. Are there any other items from "g.u." that stand out in your mind?
Chino: I wear barrel-leg pants! They can be worn both casually and beautifully, so they are used in a variety of costumes at various sites. It is no exaggeration to say that they are "pants that look good on anyone.
-That is truly a great part number. Back to the collaboration, how do you feel about the boa fleece snap parka you are wearing, Kimura-san?
Kimura: I like the rounded neck closure, but it can be worn all the way up like a hoodie or fully open. I like the way the piping is firmly in place, which is very EG-like.
Masuko: Oh, it feels great on the skin. How is it? Is it warm?
Kimura: It's rather hot because I'm wearing a shell inside. I love the one-tone stoicism of all the parts. Today, I added an orange shell from Patagonia as an accent.
<Item worn
Boa fleece snap parka ¥4,990
Kimura: When you get to my age, American casual tends to make you look like an "old man who's working too hard" if you wear it straight (laughs), so I paired it with beautiful wool slacks.
-IVY, who also works as a personal stylist. If you could only buy one piece of clothing for this collaboration, which would it be? If you could only buy one item for this collaboration, which one would it be?
IVY: For the younger generation, I would recommend the cable shawl collar cardigan.
IVY: Cleanliness is a keyword that is particularly important to the younger generation these days. I think these items are warm, cute, and easy to coordinate. Unisex items are also a recent trend, and I think it's cute for women to wear a larger size with a loose fit.
<Item worn
Cable shawl collar cardigan ¥4,990
Chino: The cable knit and shawl collar give it a cute, slightly nostalgic design. It also has a loop button at the high position of the collar, so even if you are tied up like I am today, you can freely adjust the amount of the V-zone visible by closing the button. You can also open the front and throw it on like a coverall, and you can imagine a wide range of ways to wear it. It also comes with elbow patches, so you don't have to worry about tearing it even if you work extremely hard (laughs).
-I think this collaboration with "g.u." will be a good opportunity for people who have never heard of "Engineered Garments" to pick up the brand. Finally, what are your thoughts on this roundtable discussion?
Kimura: I was able to participate from Kyoto this time, and I thank you for this precious opportunity. When I actually saw the collaborative items, I was impressed by the high cost performance of the products while retaining the EG style, and I learned a lot from them. I would like to use this opportunity to visit "g.u." stores.
Masuko: I had only tangled with Mr. Kimura over drinks, so I am glad to be able to work with him for the first time. It was a great opportunity for me to get to know both of you.
I was looking forward to today's roundtable discussion, wondering how the quality of g.u.'s manufacturing, cost performance, and EG's commitment to quality would come together, but the quality exceeded my expectations. The quality was beyond my expectations, and I felt that the fact that we were able to produce such a wonderful product was a result of the good relationship between the two parties.
IVY: I was very nervous at first, but I learned a lot, and just as EG was the catalyst for my entry into the fashion industry, I think this kind of high-cost project will be a good opportunity for a wide audience. As someone who has been promoting the slogan "revival of domestic fashion," this was an interesting collaboration.
Chino: As a stylist, I am often exposed to items, but it is not often that I have the opportunity to talk about clothes with everyone. I enjoyed sharing my impressions with everyone and learning about opinions from different angles.
That concludes the roundtable discussion. Finally, we will close this project with a message from Mr. Daiki Suzuki.
This is the first collaboration with "g.u." This time, under the theme of "Manhattanism," items of American origin have been reconstructed from the viewpoint of "Engineered Garments. This time, under the theme of "Manhattanism," the collection features American-inspired items reconstructed from the perspective of "Engineered Garments. The item lineup consists of g.u.'s signature shell parka and heavyweight sweatshirt fabrics, and a variety of garments that combine the strengths of "Engineered Garments" with the American tradition of "American Vintage. The lineup consists of five selected models that incorporate g.u.'s signature shell parka and heavyweight sweatshirt fabrics with designs based on American vintage, which is one of the strengths of Engineered Garments. Although the two brands have different customer segments, we are pleased that our thoughts on craftsmanship resonate with each other, and through close communication, we were able to create items with meticulous attention to detail as one trusted team. We look forward to seeing this collection reach as many customers as possible.
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