3_Takahiro Ohashi
With respect for blue-collar workers.
A work jacket by , a T-shirt by , pants by × , boots by , and a Yankees cap by
PROFILE
The owner of "The Apartment," a Kichijoji clothing store that has consistently defined its own style—whether as an independent or local shop—and celebrated its 17th anniversary on March 20. It’s common knowledge among his fans on social media that he’s been obsessed with fishing for the past few years.
Instagram @theapartment_tokyo
”Just to confirm, are we looking at a style that incorporates a ”tailored jacket'?"
I received a reply from Mr. Ohashi to my email proposing a project. Since the proposal was intended for occasions such as receptions or slightly more formal dinners, I was even more curious to see what Mr. Ohashi would choose after reading his reply, so I visited his office a few days later.
"To be honest, I try not to go to restaurants with dress codes in the first place (wry smile). I come from a blue-collar background, and that sense of identity is very strong in me. To me, a work jacket—or a worker’s uniform, if you will—is like a suit."
This work jacket, embroidered with “STAFF” on the left chest and “WE ARE DIFFERENT” on the back, was created for “The Apartment’s” 5th or 6th anniversary about five or six years ago. The “Eisenhower Jacket,” with its classic blue-collar style, was purchased in the U.S. and features a MADE IN USA body—a fact that makes it impossible not to sense Mr. Ohashi’s sincere dedication.
"If I just wear my work jacket to a dinner party or something, it just looks like a regular work uniform, so I add my own hip-hop flair with things like glasses or accessories. I also make sure to iron it so it looks sharp."
The necklace is from Oro Latino Jewelry Inc. in New York’s Chinatown, which I bought over 10 years ago. Since I’ve been really into fishing for the past few years, I bought the fish charm about three years ago. Matching her eyeglass frames, all her accessories are gold—that’s the Ohashi style.
When it comes to the color navy, Mr. Ohashi associates it with the New York Yankees’ uniforms, and ever since his days as a craftsman, he has always chosen navy for his *Toraichi* knickerbockers. For Mr. Ohashi, one of his defining styles is that his clothing doesn’t feel like a costume but blends seamlessly into his everyday life—and this principle holds true for his jackets as well; he never wavers from it.
“Even when I'm invited to a meal, the host is always very considerate—they'll arrange a place that feels comfortable for me. And even if we go to a fancy restaurant, they'll suggest, ”Why don't we try a yakitori place next time?' (laughs). Foreign guests, in particular, tend to really enjoy those kinds of places."
For Ms. Ohashi, fashion and style are a way of expressing who she is. So, what is her ideal jacket style?
"That's kind of true. When you go to places like New York or Asakusa, you see people who wear jackets not just as jackets, right? They treat them like outerwear—even if they get holes, they just patch them up. It looks so cool; I really admire that."
To go with the inner layer, I’m wearing a vest created by Bert Crack, a tattoo artist at New York’s “Smith Street Tattoo Parlour.” It was released about five years ago at “Beyond the Streets (BEYOND THE STREETS), an event featuring graffiti and other art forms held in Brooklyn about five years ago. Mr. Ohashi has always enjoyed turning ready-made garments into one-of-a-kind pieces through embroidery; in a sense, this is one of his artistic roots.
