HOUYHNHNM

dry paddy fieldAlthough I entered the industry because of my love of vintage clothing, I was not actually that devoted to the military. When I started working as a stylist, there were already many military enthusiasts and enthusiasts who specialized in the military field, and they were the ones who laid the foundation for the way the military has come to be. However, at the time, my personality was such that I wanted to pursue a style of American casual that was a little more flexible, rather than learning from the pioneers.

However, as I visited vintage clothing stores for research and other purposes, I always saw military items in every store, and I gradually came to know the essential aspects of the background of military clothing by digging into items that I personally found interesting. I have been in touch with the essence of the background of the military.

dry paddy fieldOf course . It seems that the trendy items vary from store to store, but I hear that military items are always sold every season. I think military clothing is such a lifeline for vintage clothing stores. Denim and military have long been considered the staples of vintage clothing.

In fact, secondhand clothing store owners not only have knowledge of secondhand clothing, but they also look closely at current products. By exchanging information through small talk, asking about trends at the store, and observing the real-life outfits of customers who come into the store, trends and needs can be brought to light.

dry paddy fieldI really feel that in this job. In my case, I basically visit vintage clothing stores, but when I look at the collections of select stores, domestic brands, or even maison brands, I can see the motifs in their collections as if I were holding the clothes in my hands. On the other hand, when I visit an "Alpha Industries" store, which can be said to be the mainstay of military wear, I discover something new about military wear. I wonder if they have changed this part of the collection (laughs).

dry paddy fieldTo speak of the obvious part, I was surprised by the wide variety of MA-1s, which are synonymous with Alpha Industries. There are not only men's wear, but also women's wear, which has exploded in recent years, and even children's wear, in a wide variety of silhouettes. The materials used, such as all-leather and PrimaLoft, were also varied, and the volume of color variation was also worth seeing.

What has been passed down from generation to generation as heritage has been updated for town use from a modern perspective. It is no wonder that they are popular among the younger generation. Moreover, when we talked to the designer, we found that there are many details inspired by vintage items from the past.

. Also, the collaboration models lined up in stores at this time of the year are very appealing. It is a great learning experience to see how the individuality of each brand and the philosophy of Alpha Industries come to fruition in the form of products.

dry paddy fieldI always tended to avoid the high road, so it's surprisingly recent that I actually got it... (laughs). . about 4-5 years ago, I think. I found a vintage MA-1 with a design and size that suited my taste at a reasonable price, and I convinced myself that it would be a good idea to buy it now, so I bought it.

dry paddy field. I'm drawn to unusual designs and models I've never seen before. . From there, I enjoy digging into the background of the product, such as the model's official name, its age, and what purpose it was created for. The other day, I found a suit-type flight jacket, and upon closer inspection, I found that the model was electrically heated and even had a plug that plugged into an electrical outlet. . I thought it was interesting from both a design and functional standpoint.

dry paddy field. I don't think that just because it is military, there is no need to be bound by stereotypes. People of our generation tend to have a fixed image of military wear and tend to coordinate their outfits in a similar way. For example, a flight jacket goes with army pants or baker pants, and boots on the feet.

Not that there is anything wrong with that, but I have always thought that fashion should be worn more freely, so when I find an item with individuality, I smile (laughs). Military is deep and flexible, and I realize through the items that there is still a lot of potential as a style.

dry paddy fieldThe easiest way to measure this is to look at how people wear MA-1s. There was a time not so long ago when MA-1s were not selling well, and there was a period when people around us said, "I would dare to wear an MA-1 now.

That is, they cut off the sleeves and changed the material like young people do today, and they wore them custom-made with patches and badges. Some time later, the MA-1 rapidly became popular among young people and girls.

They wore big silhouettes and matched with a variety of items from mode to street. They were wearing the MA-1 in styles that we could not have imagined, and they were wearing it freely. I was inspired by the way these young people, who were not bound by any theories, were wearing military wear.

dry paddy fieldNo, it's a personal point of view . Such a sense of styling from a different generation is simply fresh, isn't it? I hope that I can accept that freshness and digest it in my own way. After all, fashion is most interesting when you wear it in your own way. Of course, there are times when such an attitude can be translated into the work of a stylist.

dry paddy fieldI think this is the only military brand that even people who are not familiar with vintage clothing know about. It has such a high level of recognition, and just hearing the name "Alpha Industries" is enough to make you feel at ease. I don't think there are many brands with such a long history that allow you to find the right model for the right age, from vintage to current, and enjoy the differences between them. It is a reliable brand that can be used as an introduction to the market, as well as a good approach to those who are interested in authenticity.

dry paddy fieldI guess it is the difference in age. There is something romantic about being able to see the trends, social background, and technological advances of the time through the details of a model's shape, specifications, and details (laughs).

From that perspective, it is good to hold current products in one's hands and compare them with secondhand clothing. . However, I think it is important to enjoy it casually as a fashion item without thinking too hard about it first. The large quantities sold at thrift stores in the U.S., as well as the items introduced here, are not expensive.

I think this ease of accessibility is one of the reasons for the popularity among young people today.