The second installment of Porter Classic's "Sashiko" series is now available.
Last year, Porter Classic introduced a new series called PC SASHIKO. As the name suggests, it is a revival of the traditional Japanese indigo stitching technique. It has been a year since then. The brand, which sets a global standard, has made its next move with "PC SASHIKO BLACK," a black-clad sashiko. In addition, a special item with studs by Takuji Mikita, owner of the famous Sendagi store "Wolf's Head," is also being developed this time. To find out what kind of items they are, we immediately asked the director, Mr. Reio Yoshida, about the thoughts and background behind "PC SASHIKO BLACK".
-It has been about a year since you presented "PC SASHIKO" , first of all, what are your honest impressions?
Although the fabric was completed after five years of work, we are still learning about its strengths and weaknesses, and how it fits and doesn't fit. Of course, there are things I learn from my customers. I really feel that I have to learn more and more about this material to give it shape.
-. I think that sashiko is a very profound material, not only in its visual impact, but also in its pleasant feel and the texture of the material.
. it's a fabric with a long history. For example, there is a theory that it started when a monk found a scrap of fabric and didn't want to waste it , and it is also said that it started when he found a torn piece of fabric and had to fix it and use it because he didn't have money. It is also said that it started when a monk found a scrap of fabric and didn't want to waste it. It is also said that it started because the fabric was torn, but he didn't have enough money, so he had to fix it and use it, in other words, to survive, and he had to use the fabric from generation to generation. Sashiko is such a fabric. Not only in Japan, but also in India. It is something that has been passed down from generation to generation in many countries. It is really profound.
-How did Porter Classic and Sashiko meet?
In our case, Shonai Sashiko from Tohoku was the first. I was shocked. We didn't travel all over the world to find it, but we found it in Japan. I was shocked that such an amazing fabric could be found in Japan. The indigo color changes over time, and the fact that someone has passed it down to future generations with thread and needles is amazing. That's where it all started. Then, how can we reproduce it and give it shape? I tried making French jackets, and I wondered what it would be like to make a Chinese jacket, and I learned a lot from the fabrics.
. - that's where the brand character comes in.
. it's not about fashion. It's not about what's new this season. . It may sound a bit over the top, but we want to create a culture. Of course, we must not forget the history, respect, and efforts of the craftspeople involved, and we want to convey the essence of craftsmanship. It is not enough just to be cool.
Black has the goodness to add to it.
-The "PC SASHIKO BLACK" is being presented this time, following last year's Indigo. Why did you choose black in the first place?
. curiosity, I wondered what would happen if the stitching were in black. Black is a classic and punk color with a lot of potential. So I didn't think too hard before coming up with this idea. I was also excited by the thought that there might be interesting challenges waiting for me to express myself in black.
Left: PC SASHIKO STUDDED SINGLE RIDERS JACKET WOLF'S HEAD SPECIAL
Right: PC SASHIKO STUDDED DOUBLE RIDERS JACKET WOLF'S HEAD SPECIAL
Each ¥180,000+tax
-I think that black, like indigo, is also attractive as it fades over time.
I'll say it clearly, but that is a characteristic of Indigo. . In the case of Indigo, the shades of color seen in the diamond pattern, which is unique to Sashiko, create depth. . It's like a sense of being absorbed into the piece when you take a quick look at it. Conversely, with black, you add to the top. I think this makes the canvas even more appealing. For example, I wonder how it would look with leather, how it would look with studs, how it would look with a single red thread, or how it would look with prints. The place where you put it on the fabric makes a big difference. It has a different emotion than the indigo fabric over time. . . In the case of black, you can enjoy the aging process of the parts on top of it. We have vests, bags, and ladies' jackets with platinum rivets, which will shine more brightly with each passing year.
-In that sense, it is a new challenge.
It was a lot of fun. . We did a lot of fabric tests. Of course, there are some things that can't be done because of the color. On the other hand, there is a lot to learn by doing so. If you ask me if this would work with black leather or corduroy, it is not true. There are things that can only be done with this black stitching. Anyway, I was very excited.
Riders' jackets made with a rare studded craftsman.
-I heard that you made a riders' jacket with Mr. Takuji Mikita of "Wolf's Head" using "PC SASHIKO BLACK" this time.
Takuji and I have known each other for a long time. When I was attending college in San Francisco, he came to visit me at home with my father. We had never met before, but he gave me a belt with a silver buckle as a gift. I still have it today when I go to his store, a simple and elegant black leather belt. I was just so happy, and that encounter left a deep impression on me. It must have been several years after that when I heard that he had created the studded belt for the Comme des Garcons fashion show. When I saw the studs for the first time, I was very impressed. By the way, the belt I am wearing today is individually studded by him. It takes three months to make one belt. He has been doing this for over 20 years. So, his greatness, his passion for what he does, and the energy he puts into his work are beyond reason.
-I understand that this is the first time you have worked with Mikita-san on a product.
He is also a drinking buddy and a member of the group that I hang out with, but I thought it would be disrespectful to him to create something together unless we were completely hooked, like Pandora's Box. . I guess that's how the days have gone so far. But just at the end of last year, on the day PC SASHIKO was unveiled, I had a picture taken of my father and me at Takuji's store.Okuyama-kun. I brought the first sample of the rider's jacket to the unveiling of the book, and the two of us had a meeting to discuss it. At the unveiling of the book, I brought the first sample of the rider's jacket to a meeting between the two of us. At the meeting, we had some ideas about how to do it and how to do it, but the finished product was a great success. I was so impressed that I had never seen anything like it.
-. can you tell us about the actual finished item?
My father once told me, "There is no color more difficult to wear than purple, but when you get into it elegantly, it's the coolest. . When I saw the studs on the riders this time, I remembered my father's words. He is just into it. In honor of Takuji's sense of style, I used purple stitching thread on the four corners of the Wolf's Head name. There are a billion different types of studs, colors, locations and spacing of studs, and this was chosen by a man who has done tens of thousands of studs. He has a great sense of style, and I thought he was writing a poem with studs. It's elegant, not gaudy or childish. I'm glad that it shows what he's been through, and I think it's not logical at all.
-They don't want to have too little or too much. . that balance is very difficult to achieve.
. If we were to put studs all over the place, many different customers would not be able to enjoy it. . But with this, I think it has the potential to be enjoyed by all kinds of people. But with this, I think it has the potential to be enjoyed by all kinds of people. I think this is connected to what I was talking about earlier, such as the possibility of making Chinese jackets or French jackets with stitching. I think this is what studs can express. I feel that Takuji's knowledge, experience, and keen sense of the vintage clothing culture, biker culture, and leather jacket culture are all evident in his work. It's like walking on a tightrope. If you make a mistake, you will fall off. The way the studs are set is like that. It's as if the artist is walking on a tightrope that is the only place to go. I am sure there are many ways to express this, but the fact that he found it in such a short period of time is because he is a stud craftsman that Japan can be proud of.
Porter Classic finally makes its way to Paris!
-I heard that "PC SASHIKO" will finally expand beyond Japan to Paris in 2017.
When PC SASHIKO was created, I was talking with my father about how I wanted to wear it in Paris. Last year, I actually wore it to a flea market in Paris. At that time, many people around me approached me. The things we make are also very much influenced by France. Then, we met a great partner in Isetan and decided to launch PC SASHIKO in Paris. I can't express my gratitude enough. As for me, it was my duty to present PC SASHIKO in Paris while my father was still alive. It is not a fireworks show, but rather a show of perfection so that it will be well received by the people of Paris. I am learning every day. This has not changed a year ago, nor has it changed now.
-I can't wait to see how the people of Paris will react!
I want to express that in my work. I want to express that well."
- "PC SASHIKO" was launched as Katsuyuki's last life's work. After Indigo and Black, I am personally very excited to see what he will do again next year and beyond.
Sashiko is something that will be handed down to the next generation and the generation after that, so I always think about it.
Reo Yoshida
Born in Tokyo, Japan in 1975 . In 2006, he published Honokaa Boy, a book about his time spent in Honokaa Village on the Big Island of Hawaii, and in 2009, it was made into a movie that was released in Toho theaters nationwide.
SASHIKO LOVE 2" will be held on the first floor of Isetan Shinjuku Men's Building from December 26 (Mon.) through January 10 (Tue.), 2017, to unveil PC SASHIKO's black. Events such as trunk shows and workshops by Katsuyuki Yoshida and Reio Yoshida are also planned for the beginning of the year. Please visit the venue.
PORTER CLASSIC: SASHIKO LOVE 2
Dates: Monday, December 26 - Tuesday, January 10, 2017
Location: Isetan Shinjuku Men's Building 1F
Events during 【]
Trunk show by Katsuyuki Yoshida and Reio Yoshida
Tuesday, January 3, 14:00-16:00
Special Present
Tuesday, January 3
The first 50 customers who purchase 32,400 yen or more on the day of the event will receive a heart badge made of old fabric stitching.
Workshop to experience kumi-himo
Saturday, January 7, from 1:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 4:00 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. (about 60 minutes each time)
Limited to 6 participants per session, 6,480 yen
This workshop allows you to make kumi-himo accessories, which are well-known at Porter Classic.
Sashiko (stitching) experience
Sunday, January 8, 1:00 p.m. , 3:00 p.m. (90 minutes each time)
Limited to 4 participants per session, 12,960 yen
. you can experience stitching using a stall.
*Acceptance for the kumi-himo workshop and the stitching workshop will be on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of the workshop. Please note that applications will be closed when capacity is reached.