A philosophy for manufacturing that only I can do.

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VINYL ARCHIVE" is based on the concept of "something that is unlikely to exist" and produces bold items that tickle men's hearts. The designer of this brand, Kohei Ohkita, originally worked in sales at a select store that handled imported American items, then became involved in the planning of the store, and later launched his own brand.

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I had always wanted to start my own brand. I had been entrusted with my own label at my previous store, but in order to do what I wanted to do with 100%, I thought I had to start my own brand on my own. That's how I started Vinyl Archive.

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This year marks the eighth year since the brand was launched in 2009. After passing through many seasons, Mr. Ohkita's creations are free from hesitation, and one can sense his firm philosophy of making things with a straight line.

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Clothing is something that people wear. That's why I don't think it's a good idea for items to be too much in front of people. When I design, I don't often draw inspiration from vintage clothing or artwork that I have been influenced by.

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If you focus your creations on objects and artwork, you will end up with a collection that resembles some other brand. In order to avoid this, he explains that such a philosophy is necessary in order to create products that only he can make.

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It's also important to look around you," he said. It is also important to look at the people walking around on the street, and popular brands. By doing so, I can see what I should create. As the concept of the brand says, "something that seems to exist, but doesn't." Once you are there, you gradually come to understand what you are looking for. Then, I finish what I want to create with the highest quality. I am really enjoying my work now. After working on the brand for a long time, I finally feel like I have created an environment in which I am satisfied with my work.

A new world brought to me by my dogs.

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Although Mr. Ohkita is now able to develop his creations as he wishes, it was not smooth sailing from the beginning. In the first few years," says Ohkita, "I had a really hard time getting orders at exhibitions. There were times when the brand, which he started with confidence, did not sell at all. To be honest, there were times when I wanted to quit," he says.

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As long as I choose to express myself in "clothing design," I still have the feeling that I want to be recognized by others. But for the first few years, no one looked at me. I was so frustrated by this that there were times when I wanted to quit. I was in such a shambles in body and soul, but my family and a Shiba dog named Moo, who I had just started to pet at the time, saved me.

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Mr. Ohkita says that he did not originally intend to get a dog. At the time, he said, he did not have the time, either emotionally or in terms of his lifestyle, to afford a dog. However, at the family's request, they decided to keep a dog, and the first dog they welcomed into the Ohkita household was the aforementioned Moo.

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When you actually have a pet, people change (laughs). When Moo came home, I took care of him as if he were my own child. I felt more relaxed with him, and that had a positive impact on my work as well. Through my daily walks, I made new encounters in places other than fashion, and my heart, which had been closed to other people until then, began to open up again. By enriching my private life, I was able to face the field of "work (=design)" again.

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She says that having Moo brought down the big walls that had surrounded her, and since then, she herself has had more smiles on her face. However, at the age of four and a half, his beloved dog, Moo, fell ill and passed away. Mr. Ohkita was greatly saddened by the loss. I was thinking about Moo all the time," she says, "but then I decided to get a new Shiba Inu, and that is the note I live with now. That dog is Memo, who now lives with him.

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I named her "Memo" after "Memo" which comes after "Mumo" in "Mimimemomo" because she is the next family member after "Moo. She is a girl and is now 3 years old. She is very quiet and doesn't bark much, but that's what makes her so cute. She has a tsundere personality (laughs).

Memos play a central role in Ohkita's way of life.

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He wakes up early in the morning and takes a walk with Memo along the banks of the Tamagawa River before work. Then, after returning home and preparing for work, he drives to his atelier to switch on his designer's mind (when he has time to spare, he can take Memo to his atelier as well). On his days off, he enjoys a slower-than-usual walk at a café on the bank, or goes a little further afield for a day trip to the great outdoors. This is Ohkita-san's ordinary daily routine.

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Having a car allows me to spend more time with my memos in my daily life." Recently, I sometimes go camping in my car with dog friends I met while walking. There, we can exchange information about dogs, and since we are a group of people who are active in different fields, I get to hear fresh stories that I don't know. It is because of Moe and Memo that I am able to have this kind of fun.

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Just by adding a "car" as a tool to his memo-centered lifestyle, the enjoyment of daily life is amplified. For Mr. Ohkita, it is indispensable.

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When I'm in the car, I look at the scenery of the city as well as at people walking down the street. By doing so, I subconsciously take in information. For example, I may notice that the stores in this town are changing rapidly, or that there are many young people here. I sometimes use that kind of information in my work, so I quite like driving.

Renegade design connects urban life with the outdoors.

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Mr. Ohkita, who loves to drive, originally planned to purchase a Jeep Compass.

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'The body size is just right for the Compass. It's not as big as a Cherokee, but not as small as a regular car either. And the calm interior suits my tastes. But I also found the Renegade to be equally appealing.

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What attracted you to the Jeep Renegade? We asked them for their honest opinions.

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First of all, it's a very comfortable ride." The sunroof makes the interior bright and comfortable. And it's also nice that the car starts off lightly when you step on the gas pedal. My wife also really likes the Renegade because of the spacious interior and the wide field of vision, which makes it easy to drive. I think the opinions of family members are important. Also, considering that I would be riding with Memo, it was absolutely essential that the seats be made of synthetic leather. I can wipe off dirt quickly. This is also an important factor.

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We also asked Ohkita, who works as a designer on a daily basis, about the design of this car.

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Jeep has always had a strong image of being wild and outdoorsy rather than urban, but this Renegade retains that impression while also having urban elements that fit in well with city life. The Renegade is designed to be a vehicle that connects the city and the outdoors. The hood is not as long, and the corners of the vehicle have been removed to give it a sleeker form, but when you look at it as a whole, it still has the strength that is typical of Jeep.

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The Jeep Renegade fits perfectly into the lifestyles of adults who lead urban lifestyles and enjoy various activities on weekends.

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Overall, the Renegade is more casual than the Compass. But I think that's why it's easy for the younger generation to ride it, and as I mentioned earlier, it's also easy for women to get along with it. Memo also felt at ease riding in it, and I think I can go anywhere in it."

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Kohei Ohkita

Designer. After working in sales, planning, and store direction at select stores, he launched his own brand "VINL ARCHIVE" in 2009. He also has a deep knowledge of art, and in addition to making clothes, he is actively involved in VIDEO BOYZ as a channel for curating activities with artists.

http://vainlarchive.tumblr.com