How to make a "crazy" jean.
Kawakami-san, you have done several paintings for us this time, and all of them are wonderful. Which one do you particularly like, Mr. Kawakami?
Upstream:I was most surprised by the tiger illustration. Mr. Shimoda came up with the idea and drew it right in front of me, and I was shocked by the idea of the tiger pattern being used as the brand name.
Shimoda:I looked it up later and found that it wasn't a real tiger pattern. I think I painted it at a restaurant where I went for coffee after going out for dinner. I don't think San Francisco has anything to do with tigers.
(laughs). (Laughs.) Also, the motif of the gaikotsu (a humanoid creature) is linked to "The Dead Kaizoku. By the way, what is your impression of "Seven by Seven"?
Shimoda:Kawakami-kun sometimes makes things that seem "crazy" in a good sense. This jean jacket embroidered with a maniac must have been made in a very tedious way. I couldn't help but ask, "What? I asked back.
Upstream:I took apart a Lee jean jacket from the 1970s, embroidered the fabric, and made it again. For me, that's what makes clothes interesting.
It will take a long time to rebuild, and it's a one-of-a-kind product.
Upstream:As a business, we have to make products in large quantities, but what I like are clothes that require a lot of time and effort, so I am conflicted about this. Anyway, I wanted to create something interesting for the brand, and at the same time, I wanted to pursue the idea of making things with Mr. Shimoda.
Shimoda:It makes sense to go above and beyond what is necessary. When I made my first dinosaur mask, I went to the Dinosaur Expo and sewed the horns and fangs to fit my head, and I was able to wear it. The excitement I felt when I realized I could wear it was something I had never felt before when I was drawing. I think that's why I continue to make them, because I enjoy it.
Upstream:It is amazing that that excitement is still going on even though he is over 50 years old. I think it is real because it is something that Mr. Shimoda is making for himself.
Shimoda:It's a stupid concept, because it's all for me to wear. I made the entire Garçon collection and the dinosaur exhibition at Parco on a large scale in this six-tatami-mat space. I never thought I would be able to go to Paris with this stupid concept. The dinosaur mask I made recently has a cap in the back. I used an old Hiroshima Carp cap, and added an R and an N to the logo to make it "HORN.
This denim mask, embroidered with the "7" of "Seven by Seven," was made by Mr. Shimoda.
No matter how old I get, I always buy stupid things.
You usually present your work as your own, but what kind of feedback do you get from the collaboration with "Seven by Seven"?
Shimoda:I draw pictures and masks even if no one asks me to, but I also like to illustrate novels. When I am ordered to do something or start working with someone else, I get channels that I can't come up with on my own, so I enjoy doing both at the same time. It's like rakugo, where you are given a theme, and it's fun to respond to it. If I were to work alone all the time, I would get bogged down. I know it's hard to keep my long stories in order, but you feel like you're taking care of me.
Upstream:No, I will be happy to help you (laughs). I was also impressed by Mr. Shimoda's selection of T-shirts. The one he wore at the exhibition that was caught on a speeding camera on the highway was the best.
Shimoda:The movie "Heavy Trip: We're Scandinavian Metal on the Cliff! It's a stupid T-shirt from the movie "Heavy Trip". Do you know the one Haruki Murakami used to serialize his personal T-shirts in "POPEYE"?
You recently published a book.
Shimoda:After reading the series, I felt a bit sorry for myself. I felt that my collection was not something I could show to the public. When I used to write a serial in "Coyote," I introduced items I bought overseas, and the title was "Regret if you don't buy. The title was "Regret if you buy it, regret if you don't.
Upstream:(Laughs). I think that a person's tastes and personality come out in what they choose.
Shimoda:That's why they don't like the souvenirs I buy for them. It's like they have bad taste.
Shimoda:The same goes for this Rolling Stones matryoshka I bought here in Alaska. I bought it all up because I thought it was worth it, likeness or not, but when I gave it to some people as a souvenir, they had a subtle reaction. For some reason, no matter how old I get, I always buy stupid stuff. By the way, you barely talk about clothes, is that ok?
