Ideally, the item should have a balance between design and performance.

In the past few years, there has been a lot of talk about "sports mix" and "athleisure" styles in the fashion scene, but what do you think of this phenomenon?

Ootaki:I feel that the popularity of this style is very high, and that many people are interested in this kind of style. We are also proposing a "sports mix" at EDIFITH, and the response from our customers has been very positive. In the past, most people chose clothes for sports and fashion scenes separately, but in the past few years, the number of items that can be used in both scenes has been increasing, and I think the line between the two is disappearing.

Yamamoto:Would you naturally want to carry a variety of sports brands?

Ootaki:Yes, that's right. We are developing serious sportswear and other items that are not fashion-oriented, and they have been unexpectedly well received. I am currently looking for minor sportswear brands that have not yet arrived in Japan.

There are many examples of sports brands stepping up to fashion, but increasingly the opposite is happening, isn't it?

Ootaki:There are of course such cases. Brands that used to use only natural materials have suddenly introduced collections that use synthetic fibers. There are many brands that add sporty and active elements to their collections through materials and other means, while maintaining the characteristics of their designs.

Ikeda:More and more brands are using high-tech fabrics, such as Gore-Tex® and Storm System®. GORE-TEX® and Storm System®, for example. In the past, only outdoor brands used such fabrics, but now you can find them everywhere. Moreover, the silhouettes are more beautiful, so you can enjoy styles in the field that reflect your mood in the city, which is difficult to express with outdoor brands.

Yamamoto:If the outdoor color is strong, it may be difficult to wear them on the street, but recently there have been more street-oriented items, so it has become easier to incorporate them into fashion. However, I usually run, and I don't want to be too stylish and look a little lightweight in the actual sporting scene (laughs). (Laughs) So, the ideal is to choose items that are performance-oriented, but that can also be used for everyday wear. . Even if I choose in this way, there are still many choices.

I feel the commitment of an adult who has gone through a variety of clothing to "Citerra®".

What were your first impressions of "Citera®," which was launched this season?

Ootaki:. an item that is a part of people's lives, I thought. There is no excessive design, nor is functionality an afterthought. I have the impression that the design and functionality necessary for daily life coexist in perfect harmony.

Ikeda:I felt the same way. There is no unnecessary design. It has been stripped down to the bare minimum. Also, the brand name is placed in an unobtrusive way. Usually, sportswear and outdoor wear have the brand name in a place that is easy to recognize at a glance. This would suddenly make the wearer more active, but in the case of "Citerra®," I don't think this will be the case. Also, the concept of activewear with the theme of "movement" is unique and interesting.

Yamamoto:. in fact, the functionality is good. The waterproof and breathable shell, windproof sweatshirt, and bags have the right features. On top of that, they are stylish and easy to pick up.

Naoki Naga, who participated in the launch of VISVIM, is the director of this brand, and Yoshikage Kajiwara, former creative director of BEAMS, is the creative supervisor.

Yamamoto:. When I look at the bags, I feel the essence of Mr. Naga. The design of this tote bag is similar, and the many pockets are also typical of Ei's style. When you open the bag, you can see that each pocket has a specific purpose. There is a cell phone holder, a PC holder, a case for small items, and so on.

Yamamoto:I usually don't organize my bag very much, but this one makes me want to use it in an organized manner. I can put large items in the main compartment and small things in their own pockets. I think this bag is suitable for people of various personalities.

Ootaki:Such details are typical of Mr. Naga. For example, the clothes are made of glass beads in various places, and at first glance they may look like ordinary sweatshirts, but they are actually three-layered and functional. Each of these details shows the attention to detail of an adult who has worn many different kinds of clothes.

Do you feel that the work is not very Kajiwara-like?

Ootaki:The fact that the bag has a PC holder is very Kajiwara-like (laughs).

Ikeda:The shell I am wearing also has a pocket for gadgets. I think it is a very modern feature.

. unexpectedness and personal authenticity that touches a chink in the heart.

When you take the train, bus, or car in your daily life, or take the bullet train or airplane on a business trip, what kind of functionality do you look for in your clothing?

Ikeda:I like to carry my cell phone in my breast pocket. I like to carry my cell phone in my breast pocket. I drive a lot for my job, so it would be nice to have a pocket on my clothes that I can easily take it out while fastening my seatbelt. Pants pockets are too cumbersome to take out and put in when I am sitting on the seat.

Ootaki:I agree with you. When I am on an airplane or bullet train, I want to listen to music or organize work information whenever I feel like it, so I want to have my cell phone with me at all times. . but I don't want to put it in the storage provided in the seat. . Then you want to have a pocket in a convenient place on your clothes. But Citera® items have pockets exactly where you want them. It's well thought out and gives me a sense of security. Also, all of the clothes are very comfortable to wear. I'm glad that I don't feel any stress from my clothes, even when traveling for long periods of time.

Yamamoto:. Comfort of clothing is important when traveling. . For example, when flying, I would wear a sweatshirt if possible. Citerra® clothing is stylish, and I can do that. I don't have to look like a yankee (laughs).

Ootaki:In fact, sweatshirt set-ups are popular among customers at EDIFITH as well. Many of them buy them saying, "I can wear this.

As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, there are many brands releasing functional and well-designed clothing, but what do you think is "unique to Citerra®" among them?

Ootaki:. I think the anonymity of the design is the most important feature. Although this overlaps with what I mentioned earlier, the brand name is placed in a casual way and does not interfere with coordination. The silhouette is also patterned with modern fashion in mind, so it goes well with creased pants or a clean jacket, which are the opposite of the "active" keyword. The pattern has been drawn with modern fashions in mind.

Ikeda:. I think the use of fabrics is also unique. The shell is made of POLARTEC®, not GORE-TEX®. . That's why it is warm to wear and not stiff. I think it's interesting that you don't take the high road, but instead use unexpected fabrics that catch you off-guard.

Ootaki:That's right. . so it doesn't wrinkle when folded and can easily be placed in a bag.

Yamamoto:Since it is designed for urban use, it is attractive in that it has a good balance of function and design. The fact that they are made by Mr. Naga and Mr. Kajiwara is also a very attractive point for me personally.

Why is that?

Yamamoto:I think their sense of beauty is firmly embedded in their items, and I feel secure in knowing that I can see the faces of the makers of their products. There is a sense of blood running through the products. There is a personal sense of trust that is different from that of a major brand. When you go to a store, there are so many choices, but that kind of trust is an important indicator when choosing a product. If a brand has that kind of trust, you will naturally want to try on their items.

A unique device on the official website.

Ootaki:Also, we are holding a pop-up event at the EDIFICE Shinjuku store for a limited time, and basically the entire lineup is only available at the online store, which I think is a unique feature of this brand.

Yamamoto:. It fits the concept of the label in the sense that it can be purchased anywhere, even on the move. The official website provides a clear description of each item, and the use of fabrics such as Polartec® makes the functions and uses clear, which I think motivates people to buy.

. Yes, there is a clear functional fact there, isn't there?

Yamamoto:As a consumer, I would appreciate it if such facts are clearly understood. Also, the site includes visuals of the items in question, making it easy to visualize the scene in which the items will be worn. I have the impression that the "Citerra®" site takes care of the online disadvantage of not being able to see the products in person.

Ikeda:. Yes, I can easily imagine that this visual can be worn on the street.

Yamamoto:. and the design process is open to the public. There are rough sketches of the designs drawn by Mr. Naga, for example. I think normal brands tend to avoid such spoilerish things, but I like the way they use it as a counterpoint.

Ikeda:You certainly have an interesting way of creating your site. If the site is updated regularly, you will want to visit the site continuously. It is possible that after visiting the site several times, you may find yourself clicking on the link before you know it.

. It is interesting to think about coordination, or you can wear it without thinking.

. Finally, I would like to ask for your advice on how to wear "Citera®" well. . First of all, Mr. Otaki, please tell us what kind of coordination suggestions you make at EDIFITH.

Ootaki:. At our store, we suggest mixing items with traditional tastes. For example, a trendy band-collar shirt worn with a knit cardigan and a pair of [Citera®] sweat pants, or a jacket and pants set-up with this brand's hoodie as an inner layer. Many people in Europe actually wear such outfits, so I think it would be a good idea to style them in that way.

How about you, Mr. Ikeda?

Ikeda:It is easy to match sneakers with shoes and wear street-style clothes in this type of urban functional clothing, but I would dare to recommend other ways of wearing it. Since the concept is "mobility," I dare you to wear nomadic items with your clothes. I think it would be interesting to wear sarouel pants like the ones I am wearing today with moccasins on my feet, and add a bit of an urban element by wearing a shell as outerwear.

Lastly, Mr. Yamamoto , please.

Yamamoto:It is a versatile design, so it would be fun to coordinate it with various outfits like the two of you do, but I think it would also be good to wear it with items in your wardrobe without thinking about it. I think it is a well-made product for everyday wear, so you can match it with anything without any fuss. Moreover, it has functions that can be adapted to any environment, and can be worn regardless of the weather. Perhaps one of the charms of "Citera®" is that it allows the wearer to enjoy wearing it in any way he or she sees fit.