Today, you have brought some of your personal belongings with you. First of all, I would like to introduce you to a jacket by "Keaton.

Kurino:It all started with a special exhibition I saw in Florence. I was struck by the navy jacket made of Keaton's signature superfine wool, the floor strewn with navy scraps, and the night sky that reminded me of the deep color of indigo. I was so moved by the navy's woven strangeness that I visited a store in Milan the next day and bought a jacket I tried on without even looking at the price tag (laughs). That is this jacket.

I was thrilled by the special event "Two or Three Things I Know About Ciro" held at Pitti Uomo 91. The event was held in honor of Ciro Paone, the founder of the company.

This event was held after Paone became the third person in history to receive the "Pitti Immagine Career Award," following Nino Cerutti and Giorgio Armani. Paone's dining table and production site were recreated at the event. Raffaello Napoleone, CEO of Pitti Uomo, said, "It condensed the taste, passion, and tireless dedication poured into supporting beauty. This was a rare event that clarified the worldview of the "Keaton" brand by highlighting what lies behind the craftsmanship.

Kurino: The person in charge of direction was Angelo Flaccavento. . He is a writer and creator who is also known for editing the English version of the catalog for the "MIYAKE ISSEY Exhibition: The Work of Issey Miyake.

. I thought it was a great direction.

Kurino: "Keaton" was a brand that was on the sales floor of "UNITED ARROWS" when it was first established. . Although there were some difficulties in terms of price, the products were definitely good. The brand's tailoring techniques were used sparingly, and it is no wonder that it is praised as a leading brand in classic Italian tailoring. The softness and comfort of the garments are beyond description.

The brand has many fans in the industry.

Kurino: Actually, this jacket is my first "Keaton" jacket. I had a different feeling about it.

There is a restaurant in Milan called "Paper Moon," which I started visiting when I heard that Armani came here for lunch every day during his business trips to Milan in the 1980s. Ciro, in his later years, also frequented this restaurant, and I have seen him there several times. He was in a wheelchair, but he was always perfectly dressed for the occasion. He would sit down in his chair, put on his napkin, and take his time to eat his meal with grace and elegance. Once again, I was impressed (by his gentlemanly behavior, which embodies the Keaton manufacturing style).

. So, First Keaton was a tribute to Paone.

Kurino: This is not a new thing, but it is my policy when shopping whether or not respect is involved. It is a matter of course that good products are good, but it does not end there. It is a feeling of respect for the philosophy of the team of craftsmen, designers, and others who go beyond that. I pay for it after accepting the way to relate to the thing.

It is true that the specie-praise principle has trained Japanese people's eyes to look at things, but that alone is a lonely thing. . I think Mr. Kurino's way of thinking is very rich.

Kurino: Thank you very much. . If I may add, it has added to my awareness of spending money for myself. I have always enjoyed visiting museums and reading books, but this Corona has spurred me on.

One is the Tate Modern, a modern and contemporary art museum in London . This museum was built as part of the "Millennium Project" (a project to commemorate the year 2000). I visited the museum soon after it opened and became a member. As a member, special exhibitions are free (permanent exhibitions are always free), and you can enter without waiting in line. The museum literally specializes in modern and contemporary art, and is a must for Pop Art lovers.

For example, "LIFE BETWEEN ISLANDS CARIBBEAN-BRITISH ART 1950s-NOW," which ran until April 3 this year. How have artists from the Caribbean influenced British culture today? This is a retrospective of how Caribbean artists have influenced today's British culture. It's a strange story when you think about it. Geographically, the United States is closer, but why did they come to England?

. It is certainly an intriguing theme. You brought with you the official book published in conjunction with the exhibition.

Kurino: If I waited, it might be available on "Amazon" and other places, but I couldn't stand it and ordered it.

I have been in Corona for 3 years and have been away from the "Tate Modern". However, I found this book by continuing my membership . And it gives me an idea for my work. The annual membership fee is 47 pounds (about 11,750 yen); even for three years, it's a little over 30,000. . It's not too much considering that I live for buying and directing, and it's also a way to support them. The museum's donation is also an important part of its operating expenses.

The belt is also by Hermes.

Kurino: This is a picture of the main store in SAINT HONORE about 20 years ago. At that time, there were not many men's products available. When I asked them to make it in saddle leather (leather used for saddles, which is the origin of "Hermes"), the price was a surprise at 50,000 yen. When I asked if the price was the same as a ready-to-wear item, I was told that both were handmade, so the labor involved was the same (laughs).

Like this belt, when Hermes uses saddle leather, the fluffy side is on the front and the smooth side is on the back. Do you know why? It is to avoid damaging the horse's skin as much as possible. I was also moved by his "love" for horses.

Are the shoes you prepared from "John Robb"?

Kurino: This is the last collection of Paula Gervase, the first artistic director of John Robb, in her last term. . I got them on rue Francois, behind the Champs-Elysées in Paris. This model was wrapped with a reverse welt and had a meaty sole. . They looked heavy to look at, but when I picked them up, they were surprisingly light.

I was told that Paula wrote down all the parts and weighed each one. . and then he cut down where he could with the modern lifestyle in mind. Shoemakers value classic methods. That is commendable, but it is also good to have an approach that is not bound by such preconceived notions. Paula's lighthearted thinking is what I'm so impressed with. This is another respect buy.

Although there are signs that the Corona has finally come to an end, the war in Ukraine has deepened into a quagmire, and the world situation is still unstable. Under such circumstances, it seems that there are people who feel uncomfortable about enjoying and talking about fashion.

Kurino: With the Corona, Germany was the first country to protect its cultural facilities (in 2020, the "German Federal Government" decided to apply the emergency support quota of 50 billion euros (about 6 trillion yen) for microenterprises and self-employed people to the arts and culture area, which attracted worldwide attention.) . It was undeniably a wise decision. . I believe that it is precisely in times like these that culture, including fashion, is becoming more important.

You have explained the reason for this in your book, "Wearing clothes is a way of life. He says, "Because to wear is to live (omission), and to wear is to deepen mutual communication and understanding.