Keiichiro Kawabe / TOMORROWLAND
Ms. Kawabe's look consisted of a Le Verneuil set-up, Salvatore Piccolo shirt, Jupe by Jackie tie, Crockett & Jones shoes, and a Banana watch with a blue dial and Milanese bracelet. The "Banana Watch" has a blue dial and a Milanese bracelet.
Tomorrowland" offers a lineup of somewhat clean, sophisticated clothing. Keiichiro Kawabe is in charge of men's PR there. On his days off, he enjoys visiting art museums and galleries, and even has some artwork on display in his room. In this interview, he shows us a suit with a strong statement that reflects his high sensitivity to culture. Mr. Kawabe's calm and elegant manner also appeals to us. This may be the reason why he attracts people so much.
What kind of watches do you usually wear?
Riverside: I like classic things. . I have a variety of watches, and I change what I wear depending on my style at the time. When I dress casually, I wear a military watch, and sometimes a pop quartz watch with an illustration on the dial. On a suit day like today, I tend to wear a small analog watch. When I wear a suit, the sleeve of the watch is inevitably visible, so I choose a watch with an elegant look.
In that sense, the "banana watch" looks like it would go well with a suit.
Riverside: I think so. I feel very comfortable wearing it. The curves of the case are very beautiful, and it fits my hand comfortably. I have the impression that a square case like this is more decorative than a round case. So I can wear it like an accessory.
The first "banana watch" was created in 1916, and this design has been around since then.
Riverside: Wow! That's amazing. I think it's a genuinely modern design, and the fact that it doesn't look old is fascinating.
What is your impression of the Tissot brand?
Riverside: We used to carry antique Tissot watches from the 60s in our store. I thought it was very classic and cool. Even though it was a historic brand, it was not inaccessibly priced like other watch brands, and the fact that it was relatively affordable made me feel familiar with the brand.
Do you like analog watches?
Riverside: Yes, I do. When I wear it, I feel like I get fired up. It is like a switch for me. Nowadays, we can check the time on our smartphones, but I go out of my way to check the time by wearing a watch, and with a hand-wound watch, I can switch to the time when the mainspring is winding. I feel uncomfortable if I don't wear a watch, and wearing a watch gives me a sense of coordination.
What did you think about the coordination when you decided to wear the "banana watch"?
Riverside: As I mentioned earlier, the "banana watch" is a classic item, but I think its appeal lies in its high design quality that does not give the impression of being a classic item. Therefore, the suit I am wearing today is similar to the "banana watch" in terms of its characteristics. At first glance, it looks like a classic suit, but it has details that meet modern needs, such as the lack of buttons on the sleeves and the fact that the slacks are actually easy pants.
. The colors are also kept monotone.
Riverside: . I picked up the navy on the dial. Rather than going for a flashy look, I was conscious of using a coloring that would link with the watch and look good on the wrist.
PROFILE
Born in 1989 , grew up in Tokyo. After graduating from college, she joined Tomorrowland as a new graduate, and after 6 years of experience in sales at the store, she has been in charge of press since 2018.
