It is nothing short of proof that he has been approved by MLB.

Please tell us about your encounter with New Era.

I always liked black music and listened to it when I was a student. I was listening to black music when I was in school, and when I saw artists in music videos wearing it, I thought, 'How cool!

Was Mr. Sonehara a B-BOY at that time?

I didn't wear 59FIFTY® very often, but I had a feeling of 'I want to wear it. It was cool, and everyone was wearing it. For me at the time, the 59FIFTY® was an item of longing.

Kohji Sonehara / Editor
Born in Tokyo, Japan, in 1981 , he joined an editing production company after graduating from university in 2005. . He later became an independent freelance editor and writer, working on magazines, advertisements, and catalogs.

What do you find appealing about the artists other than the fact that they are wearing the same clothes?

I have always loved seeing all kinds of logos, having studied design. I used to study design, and I like to look at all kinds of logos, but I think this flag logo of New Era is exceptional. It's complete. The retro atmosphere and the sporty taste are mixed well, and I remember I was very attracted to it.

New Era was founded in 1920 and will soon celebrate its 100th anniversary. I have a weakness for brands with a long history like that.

The dignity of a long-established brand is sure to tickle a man's fancy, isn't it?

I learned this after I became involved with the brand through my work, but New Era was not involved in sports from the beginning. Originally, New Era started out making men's hats, and later deepened its relationship with sports. If you look at the New Era lineup today, there are a lot of caps for fashion, but those are items that originally belonged to the brand's field.

I see.

What I am trying to say is that it is not a good image for a sports brand to get involved in fashion, but it is cool for a fashion brand to deepen its relationship with sports. However, it is cool for a fashion brand to deepen its relationship with sports. Moreover, I feel that New Era's nostalgia is deepened by the fact that it has gradually and naturally deepened its relationship with sports.

Incidentally, going back to the topic of the flag logo I mentioned earlier, starting this season, MLB players will be able to wear the New Era flag logo on their official player's caps during games.

MLB is a global sports league . . But there are no logos of sponsors supporting the teams on the uniforms. I think it's really great that New Era's logo is included in the uniforms.

-. yes, it does not have the sponsor's logo on it.

New Era has been the official player's cap supplier for all MLB teams since 1993, and normally they would have been included that year. And the fact that they finally decided to include it 24 years later can only be attributed to the fact that it was recognized by MLB. I think that proves it's the real deal."

Wearing a cap of their favorite team is natural , and a style for them.

. You are wearing a Cleveland Indians cap today.

The relationship between MLB and New Era began with this cap, which was made by New Era in 1934 for the Indians, which led to their entry into the MLB. It is a historical item, so to speak.

The roots of the relationship between the two lie in the Indians.

People tend to think that the Yankees are the origin of the logo (laughs). (Laughs) "Well, I think that's why the "NY" logo has such iconic power.

Do you also like the Baltimore Orioles?

I've been to Baltimore several times on business, so I have a bit of an emotional attachment to the city. The designer of a fashion brand is from Baltimore, and he is a die-hard Orioles fan. I have my name tattooed on my body in Orioles font, and I'm always thinking about the game score when I'm shooting (laughs).

I've heard that you are very passionate about being a fan.

. yes, he is. But it's not just him, it's the entire population of Baltimore. If you go into a sports bar, everyone is rooting for the local sports teams, and after spending days in a city like that, you end up liking it too. So I even bought my kids some uniforms as souvenirs (laughs)."

I think it is great that the U.S. has such a city-wide support for the event.

. "Yes, it is. . I think it's true not only in Baltimore, but everywhere. People who live in New York love the Yankees and Mets. People in the U.S. have a great love for their hometowns and local sports teams. . That is why MLB teams are able to operate without relying on sponsors. The enthusiasm at sports bars is truly amazing.

I think it is a sight that is hard to see in Japan.

. I think it's nice to be touched by that kind of love, that kind of passion. . I think that's exactly why Americans look so good in baseball caps. It is natural for them to wear caps of their favorite teams, and it is a style for them. I think it's lovely."

Lastly, please tell us how you wear 59FIFTY®.

I like to wear it with the brim slightly raised, rather than wearing it deep. I also wash and rub the fabric to give it an aged look. I let them get tired and worn out to match my style.

Why is that?

I see Americans wearing their favorite team's caps until they are exhausted, and I think, 'That's cool. It would be nice if I could bring out the depth that comes from that kind of flavor."