The product made by the best creativity.

What is the supreme down vest spun by Loopwiller and Fresh Service?

FreshService, a mobile concept store, Zanter, the first downwear manufacturer in Japan, and LOOPWHEELER, Japan's world-class, high-quality sweatshirt manufacturer, have collaborated to produce a top-quality down vest designed to be worn in the city, ZANTER" and "LOOPWHEELER," Japan's world-renowned high-quality sweatshirt manufacturer, have collaborated to produce a top-quality down vest designed to be worn in the city. We spoke with Satoshi Suzuki, the representative of LOOPWHEELER, and Takayuki Minami, the director of Fresh Service, about the appeal of the down vest, which was created out of a simple desire.

Photo_Yuki Aizawa
Text_Kana Yoshioka
Edit_Ryotaro Miyazaki

Satoshi Suzuki

Born in 1959. After working for a trading company, he became fascinated by the now-rare loop weaving machines in Wakayama Prefecture, and started the sweatshirt brand "Loop Wheeler" in 1999. He is the representative and designer of the brand.
www.loopwheeler.co.jp

Takayuki Minami

Born in 1976. Creative director who has worked on various brands and stores, including Graphpaper and Hibiya Central Market. Representative of "alpha. co. ltd.

Loop Wheeler is the undisputed sweatshirt brand.

What was the impetus behind the decision to produce the down vests you are releasing this time?

SuzukiIt's been five or six years ago. In the past, I had made a double-named down vest with "Rocky Mountain. I had the option of making a second version, but I had the idea that I wanted to try something new if possible. It was during this time that Mr. Minami collaborated with "Nanga" on a down jacket.

MINAMIWhile discussing another matter with Mr. Suzuki, we got to talking about down vests.

SuzukiCustomers had been asking for it, and I thought it was time to make it. It seemed natural (laughs). As for the vest, it was Mr. Minami's request.

MINAMI. I personally wanted to set up a down vest. I was hoping to persuade Mr. Suzuki to make a down vest out of sweatshirt fabric (laughs). When we talked about which brand to work with, we chose Zanter, which reflects our background. They had helped us when we made an original down vest for "Graphpaper," so of course we knew that their products were of a high level.

As a connoisseur, what do you find attractive about Roop Wheeler and Xanter?

MINAMII think Loopwiller is a sweatshirt brand that everyone recognizes. We have made special orders for Graphpaper and Fresh Service, but there is no compromise at all. I feel a lot of respect for Mr. Suzuki. I also feel secure in the knowledge that I can leave everything to you (laughs). (Laughs) While there are many different types of outdoor brands, I was attracted to the fact that "Xanter" has continued to produce products for professional use that are not in the fashion category. The brand made clothing worn by Antarctic expedition members in the field, so I was personally attracted to the brand. Mr. Suzuki is very particular about manufacturing, so I knew I couldn't do anything halfway, so I tried it out at my place and confirmed that "this would work" before introducing it to him.

The design and details follow the model of the 1970s.

Mr. Suzuki, how did you feel about working with Mr. Minami to produce the vest?

SuzukiIt goes without saying that Mr. Minami is a connoisseur, but he is one of the few connoisseurs who understands the essence and can deliver results. So I think he is a very good person to work with Loopwiller. Not only with this vest, but he is really good at making things that take into account the current trends. Many times I was surprised that Roop Wheeler would never do this (laughs). (Laughs).

Who came up with the vest design?

MINAMIThe basic design was done by Mr. Suzuki. I expressed my desire to create a classic down vest, as in the olden days. The design and details were based on the 70's model.

SuzukiAlthough we did not do much in the way of design, we had an underlying desire to create a basic model that would never go out of style. The custom-made vest we made with "Rocky Mountain" in the past received quite a positive response, so at first we were thinking of using that as a basis for the new model. However, after resetting that idea and rethinking it, we decided on a piece that is unique to "Loopwiller" and uses plenty of sweatshirt material. . It is also filled with Mr. Minami's particular desire to switch the color of the shoulder parts.

MINAMI. I wanted to use sweatshirt material for everything before making it. Rocky Mountain's special-order vests had leather shoulders, so I wanted to express that in sweatshirt material. It would have been nice to use navy or gray, but I wanted to add an accent by switching it up. . It was Mr. Suzuki's idea to use a pop of blue for the lining.

SuzukiThis blue color is often used by "Loopwiller" and is my favorite color as well. The outer layer of the sweatshirt is made of LW Light, a standard fabric used in many of our products.

I simply want to make the best of things.

Has Xanter ever made clothes for town use?

SuzukiHe had made only a few products for a collection brand that would appear at the Paris Collection. So, the person in charge of the project told us that it would not be easy from the beginning. We put an interlining to prevent the fabric from stretching, but we went through a lot of trial and error to determine the appropriate amount of interlining to put on the back.

MINAMIAt first, you were concerned that it would be difficult to use sweatshirt material. . since quality is the number one priority of the brand. . We didn't know what to expect until we tested it. We had to redo the armhole thickness settings many times.

. When I go abroad, I find that many young designers are showing interest in Japanese fabrics and sewing. This down vest is exactly the kind of item that tickles the fancy of such people.

SuzukiLOOPWHEELER" is engaged in delicate craftsmanship that is never possible overseas, but after 20 years, I think I have finally come to understand something about it. There were fabrics that symbolized each country, such as tweed in England and light wool in Italy . However, due to various reasons, it is no longer possible to produce these fabrics. I had a sense of crisis that the number of hang knitting machines in Japan was decreasing, so I started the brand. I feel that I am gradually conveying the message that there are brands in Japan that are making interesting products.

MINAMIWe hear the term "Cool Japan" these days, but it is something that people overseas should appreciate, not something for us Japanese to decide. We are not conscious of overseas trends, but simply want to create the best products. I also have a sense of mission that if we are going to work with Mr. Suzuki's company, we have to do it at a high level. I would be happy if people overseas could feel that.

Suzuki. I say it casually, but it is possible because it is Mr. Minami. He has his formula, and I have mine. As human beings accumulate various experiences, the level of their desires and needs increases. I think this down vest is the result of that. I am proud to say that I have created the best piece of clothing that I hope many people will wear.

LOOPWHEELER x FreshService x ZANTER down vest

The sweatshirt fabric by Loopwiller is carefully knitted on a vintage hoist knitting machine that only exists in Japan, and the down vest by Zanter, which produced the first down wear in Japan, is made of down from adult birds raised naturally in Japan (duck down). Produced by "Fresh Service," this vest is the culmination of the company's high awareness of craftsmanship. . ¥50,000+TAX

FreshService headquarters

Phone: 03-5775-4755
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