PROFILE
He began his career as a designer in 1997 and established his own company, OPEN YOUR EYES INC. in 2010. He operates the F/CE. apparel brand, the F/CE. Flagship Store, and the world's first concept store for the Danish outdoor brand NORDISK. He has also directed and designed for several other global brands. He is also the bassist of the instrumental band "toe.
PROFILE
After working as a buyer, planner, and press for a major select store, she left the company and became the women's designer for F/CE. in 2013. She is also a mother of two children.
The possibility of "Solotex" harmonizing with natural materials.
F/CE.]'s lineup this season includes items made of "SOLOTEX®" that caught our attention. How did you come to use "SOLOTEX®"?
Yamane:Although technical wear is the mainstay of FCE, it is still a fashion brand. We have always been looking for attractive ways to use natural fibers as well as synthetic fibers. At that time, I visited an exhibition of TEIJIN FRONTIER, and they explained to me the structure and features of SOLOTEX yarn. For example, the structure of the yarn has a spring-like shape, which gives it stretchability and form stability. Unlike polyurethane, which has elasticity in the fiber itself, this is primitive in a sense. And I was told that if you mix it with natural materials, it can be used in various ways.
We liked it so much that we decided to use pigment-dyed "Solotex," which was born out of our discussions with the company. It looks almost like cotton, but it is functional. This is exactly the kind of fabric we had been looking for.
Spring Mountain:At first, I did not understand the definition of "Solotex," but when I actually held it in my hands, I realized how great it is in terms of durability and texture. The first time I was allowed to use "Solotex" at was for the women's Fall/Winter 2020 season. Due to the nature of the brand, the functional aspects of "F.C.E." are well received by both men and women, but for women in particular, "cute" is the most important first impression. It looks like cotton at a glance, but when you use it, you realize it is a functional material. That's what made it so popular.
Certainly, it does not have the feel of synthetic fiber. The fact that it looks like cotton despite being a functional material is refreshing.
Spring Mountain:The fabric has a nice bounce to it. It looks like a woven fabric and is suitable for outerwear and pants. I also like the pigment-dyed, old-fashioned look.
Yamane:For this season's collection, we wanted to create items with a faded feel, so "Solotex," which can express a washed-out look through pigment dyeing, was the perfect choice.
Incidentally, the theme of this season's collection is "Morocco".
Yamane:Inspired by the nomadic Berbers. The lineup includes military and hunting items. Layers, vests with many pockets, and other garments are inspired by the wear that supports the Berbers as they move through the desert. The pigment-dyed, used-looking texture allowed us to express the fading caused by the desert sun.
I hear you will continue to use "Solotex" in the future.
Yamane:Solotex" is truly versatile, and I thought it would be possible to create a line that would expand on new ideas. That is why we launched the "Performance Uniform Project" label. The label is designed to fully express "Solotex," a yarn with special characteristics that is generally used for uniform wear, and we were able to create a special tag that says "Fabric by Solotex. The tag is labeled with icons and descriptions of its functions, so that its characteristics can be easily recognized at a glance.
Spring Mountain:When I was in Paris for Fashion Week once, it suddenly started raining. Naturally, everyone around me was soaking wet and using umbrellas. But I was wearing Solotex outerwear with water repellency, so I just quickly brushed off the water droplets under the eaves of the roof. At that time, I was very surprised. Solotex" is not only fashionable and blends well with natural materials, but also functional.
FCE actively uses original fabrics developed in collaboration with textile manufacturers, such as INVISTA's Cordura nylon, don't you? What are your aims in doing so?
Yamane:We have different perspectives from textile makers. That is why we can create new materials when we fuse our ideas. We want to create new products with the sense that one plus one equals ten through such chemical reactions. If we consult with textile makers about what we want to make, and they respond to our requests, and if we communicate our ideas together, the relationship of trust between the brand and the supplier will deepen.
This season's "Solotex" is pigment dyed to give it a faded look like old clothes. For example, in winter, we make "Solotex" that looks like wool. It is also good to add stretch to a fabric that looks absolutely non-stretchable. We are in the process of having "Solotex" developed in various appearances, so I am looking forward to seeing what we can do.
So synergistic effects create good materials.
Yamane:I believe that clothing should be something that uplifts people. FCE's brand identity is to make people feel this through functionality and gimmicks. What is important there is the fabric, or more specifically, the thread. While the definition of fashion is becoming increasingly ambiguous, I think it is characteristic of "FCE" to convey added value. We would like to use high-quality materials that match today's needs, such as SOLOTEX, to tell a story through our clothing.
