We do not want to transmit our products as a so-called replica brand.
Mr. Fujiwara, I'm sure you've seen a lot of the World War II models, but what do you think of the fabrics made by BEYONDEX?
Fujiwara:It's really great. As I mentioned earlier, I think it is a "black" fabric. The thickness, of course, and the color is as close as possible to that of the World War II model. The appearance is good, and I am more convinced of it when I touch it. It makes you wonder what will happen when you wear it. It is very exciting to see what will happen when I put it on.
Konno:The jacket shown here is a replica of a World War II model that was made under a double name with Lee, and the color has faded very well. It is the personal belongings of Mr. Miura of YM FACTORY, who gave us a lot of advice on this project, and it seems that he has been wearing it a lot since its release a year ago.
Fujiwara:Mr. Miura is a denim repairer, and it looks like he probably wore this when he worked on it. The bite on the wrists is wonderful.
Konno:Yutaka introduced me to YM FACTORY, and we all visited there before the situation at Corona became like this. We showed him various materials and exchanged opinions about what was right and what was wrong.
Fujiwara:You are quite a dedicated researcher, aren't you? He has fabrics from the 1800s and early 1900s, as well as World War II models. And Mr. Miura also seems to be fond of the World War II models.
How was the response to this double-named G-jacket with "Lee"?
Konno:As mentioned earlier, Yutaka was originally involved in the promotion of detergents, so the release was made while the "Beyondex" brand was well known, and I feel that the denim lovers were able to follow through with the release.
Do you think there were a lot of vintage lovers?
Konno:About one-third of the guests were Yutaka's customers (laughs).
Some vintage enthusiasts are against replicas, but I think this item will appeal to them as well.
Konno:I was determined to do it until I could make it anyway. I had to work very hard financially, and as I mentioned earlier, I had to throw away or give away a total of about 300 prototypes of denim. However, I didn't want to market myself as a so-called replica brand.
Beyondex collaborates with brands such as Sacai and N. Hollywood. Is this to differentiate yourself from replica brands?
Konno:Yes, I agree. I think this approach is something that ordinary replica makers would not consider. Sakai's creative director, Mr. Genma, is a vintage lover, and N. Hollywood's Mr. Ohana has been in the vintage clothing business for a long time, so I wanted them to see the finished fabrics. We decided to collaborate with both brands. This collaboration came to fruition.
I am concerned that replica items may become vintage fakes, if I may be so bold as to say so. In fact, even in the vintage market, there are fakes, or items with altered patches.
Fujiwara:There are items like that....
Konno:If that is the case, I think it would be better to have customers like N. Hollywood and SAKAI tweak the shapes as they like, and have them put their trust in the fabrics and materials. In the end, it is up to the customer, but I would like them to make their products on the premise of not destroying the vintage market.
I think there are a lot of ways to develop the company by making it a fabric manufacturer.
Konno:That's right. I am planning to make accessories soon, and I am looking forward to that as well. I also want to make pants, and there is an amazing craftsman. I won't mention his name here, but he works with Mr. Miura of YM FACTORY, who I mentioned earlier, and was introduced to me by Yu again.
Fujiwara:I'm a sewing machine specialist.
Konno:It seems that Mr. Miura verifies the detailed shape of the denim and asks his sewing machine to sew accordingly. He is like a "god of sewing machine" who not only sews but also sets up and customizes sewing machines by himself.
You would like to work with him someday. Do you ever think of making fabrics other than the Great War model?
Konno:I gained a lot of know-how by the time I reached the completion of the Great War model (laugh), and I would like to approach it from a different angle while making full use of it. (Laughs) I would like to approach this from a different angle while making full use of this know-how. If that happens, the brand will have a wider range of looks and become more interesting, don't you think? Yutaka has said that he would like to work with me next time, and I am very happy about that.
Fujiwara:Please do so next time! Also, wouldn't it be fun to do something with the Vintage Summit members?
Konno:Ahh! That sounds good!
That's a great idea! What would you like to make?
Konno:Hmmm, I wonder...
Fujiwara:I can think of many possibilities with Bjondex denim fabric. I feel that we can create something good that everyone can agree on!
Konno:Yes, let's have a strategy meeting soon. Let's just wait and see what kind of items we can come up with (laughs).
