The best everyday clothes. 6 UNIQLO YOU vol.2 | feature

Clothes that can be used rough and can be worn in public.

PROFILE

Takahiro Goko

President, Swimsuit Department

After working for United Arrows and Landscape Products, he established "Swimsuit Department" in 2010. In September 2015, he presided over the Modernism Show, the first of its kind to be held in Japan. His column on design in HOUYHNHNM, "How to see - the way of seeing thingsSeries.

You are an importer and wholesaler of clothing, bags, and folk art from all over the world, and you recently opened a new store in Dazaifu, Fukuoka. Why Fukuoka?

Gohgo:I feel that there are many people in Fukuoka who understand the old things and culture that I deal with. In the past, I have held pop-up exhibitions outside of Tokyo, and people in Fukuoka were very interested in my work. The food is delicious. We found a nice building over there and spent a year renovating it last year. I asked Landscape Products, who understands the old things I like, to design the building.

Do you think having a base in Fukuoka will have an impact on your future purchasing?

Gohgo:If you go to antique fairs, you can find good things, such as Oita Prefecture's Oshikada-yaki pottery or bamboo works. Recycle stores and antique stores are also frequently visited over there.

Uniqlo U〉dry touch summer crew neck sweater ¥3,990＋TAX, crew neck T ¥1,000＋TAX, easy wide fit pants ¥3,990＋TAX

Even after years of close observation, you still find new things, don't you?

Gohgo:Even if it is the same thing, it can look different from your point of view at the time, and when you are interested in something, you can find a lot of it surprisingly close by. I think this kind of thing will probably continue for the rest of my life. There are still many things in Japan that are unknown to the rest of the world, and I consider it my job to create an environment where more people can see these things.

Are there any particular things that have been on your mind recently?

Gohgo:In terms of the past year or two, I've been into the 80's Italian, what you might call post-modern. I am interested in flashy colors and designs, and I collect a lot of things. Color, including color and texture, is a very important factor in my collecting.

I see. What do you often wear when you go overseas to buy?

Gohgo:What comes in handy are fleece items. In the U.S., the difference in temperature between cold and hot is quite drastic, so clothing that can be easily taken off and put on is good. It is lightweight and thick, so if you take it off, you can use it as packing material. When I go to colder places, I always wear a HEATTECH innerwear. Overseas buying is much harsher than I imagined. To be honest, it is not the time to be fashionable, but function is the most important thing.

Do you usually wear vintage clothes such as military items as you are fond of antiques?　How does UNIQLO U look from your point of view?

Gohgo:It is true that I like old things, and it is the same with clothes. Many details of military and sportswear are used in modern clothes, and I find that interesting. Perhaps the ribs I'm wearing today from UNIQLO U are also details inspired by old sportswear. I like vintage, but if everything I coordinate is vintage, I get self-conscious, so it's just right to mix the old with the new. Besides, I do a lot of warehouse work at work, but I can't wear knitwear because I'm afraid of snagging it. But with this knit, which has a very good balance of quality and price, it doesn't look like work clothes, so I don't feel embarrassed to go out in public while working in the warehouse.