The happy vibes that can only come from Pearly Gates = "love".
Mr. Kobayashi, since when have you been in charge of visual styling for "Pearly Gates"?
Kobayashi:I don't remember for sure, but I've been working on it for 13 or 14 years, certainly before 2010 (laughs).
Are there any memorable photo shoots or production sites?
Kobayashi:Anyway, it was a lot of work, so I have fond memories of it all (laughs). When I had just started my own business and didn't have that much work yet, I was approached by an art director who asked me to help him out a bit. The order was not so much about styling as it was about "styling the site. So I did my best to improve the atmosphere at the site (laughs). (Laughs) We have shoots four times a year, and I think this is probably the longest job I have been involved with in my life as a stylist. Is it fate, or is it "love"? I am very grateful.
Mr. Komuta, I know you have never had the opportunity to wear golf wear before, but what was your impression of Pearly Gates?
Komuta:The brand has been around for about 30 years, but looking at the visuals, you keep it energetic, youthful, and bright. The direction of the brand has a fun and happy atmosphere, and I think that is consistent.
Kobayashi:The work environment is also very cheerful. Everyone involved is a family, so the shooting is very enjoyable and congenial.
Komuta:Normally, brands would want to try out different things, so they would want to change the atmosphere or the staff, but the fact that this is not the case is also amazing.
Kobayashi:What if they give me a bouquet or something at the end of the next shoot... (laughs).
Komuta:Forced graduation (laughs).
Q. Having been involved in visuals for a long time, what do you think is the appeal of "Pearly Gates" in your opinion?
Kobayashi:Not only his predecessor, but also the current director, Mr. Sakai, is serious and research-oriented. I admire their enthusiasm and their ability to realize their ideas. I think a large part of Pearly Gates looks fashionable, but it has specifications that are second to none of the other top sports brands in terms of functionality. Every time they surprise me with a new item, I ask myself, "What kind of fabric is this?" It is amazing that they give us surprises like "What kind of fabric is this?" every time. I think that is the trick to keep users from getting bored. Your attitude of always looking to the future, to the next and the next, is wonderful. So I think I need to learn from you, too.
I am sure that some of our readers are thinking about starting to play golf. So, Mr. Kobayashi, could you please tell us about the styling you recommend for "Pearly Gates"?
Kobayashi:Pearly Gates has a wide range, so you can find fancy items, and of course, there are many simple items as well. You can choose from a variety of widths, so if you want to play golf in a simple, traditional style, you can do that too. If you are a woman and want to style yourself in a cute way, there are also many such items in the lineup. Anyway, I recommend all of them, so you might want to go to the store and consult with the staff.
If you were to actually start playing golf, what style of rounds would you like to play?
Komuta:I would like to play a round of golf in a style that is not too different from what I usually wear on the street. I am not the type of person who actively incorporates patterns and colors, so I think my style will be fairly simple. Recently, golf has been very popular, so HOUYHNHNM's has been trying to do a feature on golf for about a year now. We are currently exploring what kind of style we can propose to our readers without betraying what we have done so far. However, thankfully, I have already been asked to do a few things.
What was your impression of the "LOVED ONE" campaign, starting with "New Balance", when you were involved in the "love" themed visuals?
Kobayashi:Personally, I was happy to meet Mr. Yataro Matsuura (laughs). I wondered if it was the centripetal force of "New Balance" and "Pearly Gates" that brought so many people from such a wide variety of industries to participate in the visuals.
The campaign visuals show that the two brands exist because of the love of various people, transcending occupations and generations, by bringing together people who love "Pearly Gates" and people who love "New Balance" to wear the same pure white collaborative shoes, This gorgeous lineup is a must-see!
Komuta:I was surprised to see Mr. Matsuura in the show, but the visual of people from various industries all in one place is certainly amazing.
Kobayashi:The collaborative sneakers are spikeless and can be worn on the street on a daily basis, so I think that part was significant. The people who participated in this project are gorgeous, but in fact, the staff behind the scenes is just as gorgeous. I think this is all due to their "love" for "Pearly Gates" and "New Balance.
What did you feel when you saw the visuals?
Komuta:I felt a sense of familiarity because I saw some familiar faces. Everyone had a calm expression on their faces, so I thought this campaign was all about the happy vibes of "Pearly Gates" = "love.
Love" is a good word. Now that you have created a very good flow, I would like to close by asking what "love" means to the two of you.
Kobayashi:Love is free of charge" is a common saying, and in the end, I think that's what it comes down to. It is the same for my assistants and my family. I think that "something that doesn't ask for anything in return" is a strong part of it. I think it is purely a spirit of service, or something that is free of charge.
Komuta:I believe there are various kinds of "love. There is love for others, and there is love for oneself. Love" is vague and ambiguous, so unless we are conscious of who and what kind of "love" we have for whom, I think it will disappear. I don't mean this in a negative way, but I think "love" is something uncertain, so I think it is important to keep the feeling and touch of "love" within oneself. I think this is even more true with the chaos in the world these days.
Kobayashi:That's what I expected! A learned man says it differently (laughs).
