Non-native x Canterbury Half Ten shows how to cross the boundaries between fashion and sports.

In addition to 40 collections in total, "nonnative" has collaborated with numerous brands. Creations with different fields, such as the outdoors and surfing, have always been a topic of conversation. The so-called "fusion of fashion and sports" is a theme that many brands are trying to tackle, but non-native has now announced a project that sets itself apart from the rest: "halften. Non-native's partner is Canterbury, which was founded in New Zealand in 1904. Canterbury is a rugby wear brand well known for its designs for the uniforms of the Japanese national rugby team, known as the "Sakura Jersey.

To coincide with the pre-launch of Half Ten, we have planned a conversation between Takayuki Fujii, designer of Non-Native, and Masayuki Ishizuka, brand director and designer of Canterbury Japan, which produces uniforms for the Japanese national rugby team. The discussion on design, function, and technology will kick off soon.

Photo_Masayuki Nakaya
Interview&Text_Shota Kato
Edit_Ryo Komuta

A low-tech feel with a good amount of high tech.

The overall color variation is black, navy, and beige. This is a standard "non-native" look, isn't it? In terms of the tops, the round-cut hems and slit detailing are very "non-native.

Left , center: nonnative × halfTen TRAINER PULLOVER S/S POLY JERSEY Primeflex® ￥8,000
Right: nonnative x halfTen TRAINER PULLOVER L/S POLY JERSEY Primeflex® ￥9,000

Ishizuka:I was surprised to learn that even for a single round cut, there are angles that Mr. Fujii is very particular about. The silhouette and the size of the garment were inputted into Mr. Fujii's mind in great detail. Especially when it comes to pants, there is a golden ratio of dimensions.

Fujii:For pants, we made two types of shorts. The pockets also incorporate "non-native" details. On the other hand, the crimp stitching was the best part of the project, which a domestic brand such as ours does not have.

Left , center: nonnative x halfTen JOGGER SHORTS POLY JERSEY 46 HGS ￥12,800
Right: nonnative x halfTen MARINER SHORTS POLY JERSEY 46 HGS ￥12,800

Ishizuka:. We use a proprietary technology of "GOLDWIN" called Smart Seam Technology. Although it is a different type of technology, it is also used in the jerseys of the Japanese national team. Canterbury has inherited the DNA of "The World's Toughest Active Wear," and tough sewing means that a garment can be used for a long time, which is what we now call sustainability. By the way, the pants are made of knit material and knitted in the highest gauge, so they are light, stiff, and stretchable.

Fujii:. The key point is to incorporate a moderate amount of high-tech but also low-tech feel. Canterbury" is not a completely high-tech brand, but has a certain gentleness to it. I wanted to preserve that.

That's true for "non-natives" as well, isn't it? You don't want to go all hi-tech.

Fujii:Yes . Even if you use GORE-TEX, it has sewing machine stitching. I think that balance is common to all of them. It would be different to do something that is the complete opposite of the character of "Canterbury. Half Ten" is a brand that acts as a bridge, so we don't do anything too flashy, considering the people who liked "Canterbury" up until now.