9 years of toff and day 0 as TF.

Komuta: Once again, thank you for your time. When did you become the director of "tof", Mr. Seki?

Seki: It started about five years ago. The restaurant had been around for a while before that, so I joined in the middle of the project. I had known the head of "tof" for a long time, and when I told him I was retiring from my previous job, he asked me to join.

Komuta: What has changed before and after you took over as director?

Seki: The selection used to be a bit more street-oriented, but I think the main reason for the change was that we gradually changed it. Rather than a sudden rebranding after I joined the company, we kept the previous colors and changed them little by little.

Komuta: In Tokyo, there are stores in locations away from Shibuya, Harajuku, and Aoyama, but I personally think that people who are thinking of setting up store should stay away from the center of the city. Parks Paris in Paris is also located a bit far from the center, isn't it?

Seki: Yes, it is located in the 16th district, which is a bit out of the way, and I think it has a slightly different meaning than the stores in the center of the city.

Komuta: What kind of store do you want to make T.F. in the future?

Seki: The brands we carry are all of excellent quality, and if you look at the lineup, it is an amazing store. However, when you enter the store, you will find that it is not at all prestigious. The ideal situation is now because Mr. Suzuki and Ms. Okamoto have a relaxed atmosphere, allowing customers to take their time and look around.

Komuta: By the way, are your customers the ones who stay longer?

Okamoto: Everyone comes at 3 p.m. and stays until the store closes, sometimes for a long time.

Komuta: That's quite a long time (laughs).

Seki: When I returned to Japan, I was standing in the storefront on weekends, and we were talking about going out for drinks at night with Suzuki-san and Okamoto-san. After the store closed, I was about to head to the store, and there were customers there, too (laughs). It seems that it is normal to go out for a drink together (laughs).

Komuta: It's so good (laughs).

Seki: I was a new customer, but I thought it was interesting that Suzuki-san and Okamoto-san's usual distance from each other made it natural for us to go out for a drink (laughs).

Komuta: I'm going to say something normal, but after all, a restaurant is a person.

Seki: Yes, that's right. I have felt that too since my previous company. When it comes to what differentiates us from other stores, I think it is who you buy from. There are many stores out there, but the number of customers who want to buy from T.F. and T.F. is increasing, and I think that is why we have reached our 9th anniversary.

Komuta: I think that is exactly right.

Seki: . I don't necessarily mean that it is a good idea to make friends with customers, but I believe that there is a comfort level that is tailored to each customer. We have customers who come to the store regularly, some of whom I don't even know their names or occupations. I think the best thing is that the two of us are able to adapt to each customer's needs.

Komuta: I used to live near Gakugeidaigaku station , but I still like Gohonki.

Seki: It's just the right combination of local and urban. There are clothing stores in the city, not only in Japan, but everywhere in the world. It would be nice if T.F. became a modern version of that. No matter what time of year you go there, you will always find a style, and the same good things are always available. I hope that T.F. will be a store that is rooted in the city and gives people a sense of security.

Komuta: The city, the people, and the clothes we handle all match. So there is a sense of security. You can tell that the sellers are putting out clothes that they really think are good. HOUYHNHNM is exactly the same, and I want it to be sincere. I think that is all that will remain from now on. Seki-san and Mami Okamoto, an editor and writer, are working together on a project calledLIVIN' IN PARISYou have a blog called , which I think fashion lovers should definitely read.

Seki: There is a lot of pressure when you say so (laughs). (Laughs.) Because I have to write properly.

Komuta: No, no, I would like you to do it in that lurid way. Isn't it nice to read something and think, I want this. . I took this opportunity to go back and read all the blogs, and there were 7 or 8 of them. And while introducing things, you also write about stores in Paris and Japan that you think are interesting. . I'd like to visit those too. HOUYHNHNM's is going to make an article on fashion in September, and I had the opportunity to interview "Analog/Tools" about the future of the store. You also went there, didn't you, Mr. Seki?

Seki: It's an amazing store, isn't it? I go there often to visit, and I have had the opportunity to do a pop-up event there. There was a kitchen space, and at that time, a ramen shop opened a stall. They sold limited edition miso ramen, and it was very interesting to see the chaotic space with ramen fanatics mixed in. It is an interesting store that shows the personality and planning ability of the owner. I don't think there is any other store that does something like this.

Komuta: I think it is good for clothing stores to remove barriers and do something different, and I think this is the direction that will be taken in the future. It is not a lifestyle store as was popular a long time ago, but a natural feeling of making suggestions in a store where people are present, something that can only be done in a real store. . That's why we want to open a store, too.

Seki: You should definitely do it. Because there is nothing that says "HOUYHNHNM's" should be like this, so it is fine if the first floor of the editorial office is used as a store, or if there are food stalls outside. As long as there are people who find it interesting, it will work as a store.

Komuta: I don't think Seki-san is doing this consciously, but from our point of view, he is doing things that make us think in a good way, so we will keep an eye on him.

Seki: It's nice to meet you too.