L.L.Bean is a part of the Egawa family’s everyday life.
The common language shared by this father and son was street culture—a phenomenon that has been loved across generations. The father (YOPPI), who helped define an era, and his son (Shigumo), who has inherited his father’s sensibility and works as a model. Skateboarding and bicycling have always been at the core of their lifestyles.
YOPPI: I still skate whenever I can. There’s a park nearby where I can skate, so I just skate there like usual. I also have a lot of bike parts, and I assemble both my son’s bike and my own.
Yukumo: Right now, I make sure to go skateboarding at least once a week. Other than that, I ride my bike. I ride both track and road bikes, and I ride 100 km, 200 km… sometimes even 300 km every week.
YOPPI: People invite me to go with them someday, but honestly, I just don’t have the stamina for that kind of distance anymore (lol).
For the Egawa family, was not just a fashion item—it had become part of their “family landscape.”
YOPPI: The dog bed is still in use in our living room. (To my son) See, it’s right where our dog (Lili) always sleeps in front of the TV.
Yukumo: Huh? Which one are you talking about?
YOPPI: I'm right in front of the TV—can't you tell? (lol)
Amid such heartwarming exchanges, the conversation shifts to the brand’s “timelessness.”
YOPPI: Of course, I have clothes, too. There are sweatshirts and outerwear with the same 3D graphics as the flock print I wore today, and for our generation, the younger guys were all wearing checkered hats like the one I wore today.
Yukumo: For me, it’s the image of older people pulling off vintage clothes in a cool way. I often hear people—like the owner and regulars at the coffee shop I frequent—talking about L.L.Bean. They’ll say things like, “Which era’s models are the best?” or “This was really popular back then, wasn’t it?” Plus, the fact that these people are still wearing them as a style today—I think that’s really cool.
The vintage clothing that people of Ms. Kumo’s generation have successfully incorporated into their wardrobes is part of the rich heritage that L.L.Bean has built up over its long history. That said, the brand’s appeal isn’t limited to its historical legacy alone. The pieces she wore for this shoot are from the “L.L.Bean Japan Edition,” which we had our model wear this time. While retaining its classic look, the collection has been updated with functional materials—including lightweight, wrinkle-resistant, and water-repellent options.
YOPPI: I’ve always naturally thought about the functionality of clothing while riding bikes and skateboarding. Exercising and working up a sweat, then stepping into a heated room—that puts a strain on the body. That’s why I’ve been experimenting with base layers. Like me, people tend to prioritize functionality as they get older, but for young people, “whether it looks cool or not” is everything. Since I run a brand myself, I’m always thinking about striking that balance.
Yukumo: When I think of functional clothing, I picture the tight-fitting gear worn for long-distance road cycling.
YOPPI: It’s not really a style our generation tends to wear, is it? (laughs) But young people today casually incorporate specialized clothing—the kind that might seem a little off-putting from a fashion perspective—into their wardrobes. I think that actually leads to a kind of hybrid coolness.
