PROFILE
In 2009, he opened Minnano in Ike-no-ue, and in 2015, he also opened TOXGO in Harajuku. He is well versed in various cultures such as fashion, bicycles, and music. He is a producer and designer for "Jerry Cosby A+C," which started in the spring/summer of 2021.
PROFILE
Buyer for the men's casual department of the select store BEAMS. He was appointed as a buyer in 2017 after serving for many years as the manager of "BEAMS T Harajuku," the T-shirt label of the store. He is also a close friend of Mr. Nakatsugawa, actively collaborating with "minnano.
It is easy to find meaning in doing it because it is an untested brand.
You two have been friends for a long time, haven't you?
Nakatsu River:It's been more than 10 years now.
Arai:It all happened so fast. At first, I didn't even know that a store called "Minnano" existed, but now I'm like Goro-san (Mr. Nakatsugawa)'s follower.
What attracts you to Goro?
Arai:There is a wall that I can never overcome. He is so knowledgeable, he knows so much that I don't know, and no matter what I do, I can't catch up with him. He is just amazing.
Nakatsu River:You lift it up too much (laughs).
Arai:No, no, no, no, I mean it. I am always happy to have you put together a bike for me or let me shop at your store.
What is your impression of Mr. Arai?
Nakatsu River:I had the opportunity to work with "BEAMS T" shortly after "MINNANO" opened. At the time, I think Mr. Arai was still working as one of the staff, but he was obviously floating around (laughs).
All:LOL!
Nakatsu River:I think I was wearing a full-body polo, but I couldn't find anyone else on the staff like that. I was very impressed by that and naturally became interested in it. That was the starting point for my subsequent work with Mr. Arai.
Jerry Cosby A+C" has just been launched. I understand that Mr. Goro was in charge of the design.
Nakatsu River:I received an offer from the brand. I had the impression that my classmates wore "Cosby" clothes when I was in junior high or high school, but to be honest, I didn't wear them myself. But I remember that the logo was very impressive.
Arai:I remember seeing people carrying drum bags when I was in junior high school. I had a vague idea that it had its roots in ice hockey.
Nakatsu River:I used to shop in Kichijoji when I was a student, but I had an image of it being a mass retailer.
Arai:Yes, that is true. So when I heard that Goro was going to do "Cosby," I was very surprised, but at the same time excited. I thought to myself, "I want to see Cosby done by Mr. Goro! I thought to myself, "I want to see Goro's work on Cosby! But why did you decide to accept the offer?
Nakatsu River:That's because no one else was doing it. For example, if someone had produced "Cosby" in the past, I don't think I would have taken the job. Because it is an untested brand, it is colorless in a good sense, and I thought it would be easier to find a reason for doing it. The brand said, "There is no one else but me.
Arai:I really think that Goro is the only person who can do it. I always think "I want to do something with you, Goro," and I think it is important to have an "untapped brand," as you mentioned. But "Cosby" was a blind spot. As you said, I think now is the right time for me to see this brand in a fresh light.
Nakatsu River:Also, this time it was not a collaboration with "minnano," but rather, I was told that I would be the designer and produce the product. In a sense, this was a challenge. From a different perspective, I thought it would be a chance to have our products properly evaluated and purchased. It was not a simple name value project, and it was my first time doing this kind of work, so I was even more willing to take on the challenge.
Arai:What does this "A+C" mean?
Nakatsu River:It is "Archive & Craft. It is a concept that means to create something new while respecting the history of the brand. I was a little embarrassed to have my name pushed to the forefront like "Fat Label" (laugh), so I decided on this name because I wanted people to be able to pick up the product and look at it in an unbiased way.
