PROFILE
. Since 2004, he has been working as a staff member of a vintage clothing store in Harajuku called "Belle Belle Gin R". . In addition to serving customers, he was involved in purchasing and various projects. While working at the store, he opened "Offshore" in 2017, of which he is the owner. While skillfully blending new and brand-name vintage clothing, he also manages the store as a coffee shop and art gallery.
The store is a mix of influences and favorite things.
I understand that you have been in Harajuku since you were 20 years old.
Target area:Yes, that's right. The name has changed to "Laboratory/Belverzin-Art" now, but I started working at "Belverzin-Art" when I was 20 years old, and I am still working there as a staff member, standing in the store, and involved in various projects. I have been working there for 17 years now. On the other hand, I opened "Offshore" four years ago, which is completely my own store.
Offshore" has a completely different atmosphere from "Laboratory/Belvergineer," doesn't it? The store is composed of a high-brand archive, new items, and a coffee shop.
Target area:Yes, I do. I want to create a store that is uniquely my own, while mixing my influences and what I like. . But at the base of it all is my love of vintage clothing.
Why did you set up this store?
Target area:I had a vague idea that I wanted to open my own store someday, but due to various coincidences, I decided to do so in 2017. My mission was to open my own store while belonging to "Laboratory/Belverzin-Art".
Nowadays, double work is commonplace, but at that time, there was a mood in the fashion industry that it was sort of forbidden. I wanted to break through that, or rather, I wanted to take the initiative and embody it.
Four years have passed since the restaurant opened, and have you noticed any changes?
Target area:Many things have happened in the past four years. . It was the same for the restaurant, and society is completely different from what it was four years ago. . I have learned how difficult and important it is to keep going. It has not been smooth sailing for the past four years, of course. I experienced many failures. . But we overcame these difficulties and steadily did what we could. Last year, many stores were hit by the coronavirus. We were no exception, but I think we are doing well in the face of the coronavirus because we have experienced various hardships over the past four years.
