Traditional and classic with a sense of humor.

Please start by telling us about your careers and relationship.

Robert.I never really wanted to be a fashion designer. One day, after working as a ski instructor and for a shipping company, I was invited to join the David Evans Company, a 200-year-old British company that made silk printed fabric for neckties. At first I was apprehensive because I knew nothing about fabrics or printing, but since the factory was located in Kent, my home state, I decided to give it a try.

Is that how you got into the fashion industry?

Robert.: Yes, I did. There, I learned a little more about design, color sense, and men's fashion by working in sales, negotiating with the world's top fashion makers, brands, and designers, and by putting in more work. Later, when I was starting my own business and creating my own collections, I met my current business partner, Robert Goldman. Rob is the sergeant of a tie company that has been in business for three generations in the United States. He shared my vision and we decided to launch "Psycho Bunny" together. That was in 2005.

What is the most important thing about "Psycho Bunny"?

Robert.As I mentioned earlier, we have a backbone in neckties. Therefore, the words "traditional" and "classic" are often used as keywords, but at "Psycho Bunny" we try to add our own sense of humor. At the same time, we place great importance on quality.

lobFor neckties, we mostly use fabrics from England and Italy, and the choice of materials is something we are particular about at Psycho Bunny. We are proud that we take such quality and price range seriously, so we believe that our products are cost-effective from the customer's point of view.

Do you think neckties will be a key item in the "Psycho Bunny" lineup?

Robert.: No, I don't. We are only concerned about the quality and materials of our ties, which are important in the creation of our products. The collection we are actually developing is cool American casual wear in the style of New York, where the brand is based. At Psycho Bunny, we create core items first, and then expand our product lineup based on these core items. This is a collection development not seen in other brands.

I see. So what would you say are the current core items?

Robert.First up: polo shirts. Rob talked about our commitment to materials, and this polo shirt is a symbol of that commitment and is made of 100% Pima cotton. Also, printed T-shirts are a core item.

The meaning behind the logo mark.

The iconic logo of "Psycho Bunny" is also impressive.　How did you come up with the logo and what is its meaning?

Robert.: Skull & Bones with big rabbit ears. This mark has the opposite elements of pirates and rabbits. The pirate is a symbol of adventure and freedom, and the rabbit has long been a symbol of luck. In life, it is important to have a sense of balance between yin and yang, to be honest with yourself and at the same time to seek out who you are through adventure, so we combined these two elements in our design.

I also hoped that the wearer would feel like a member of the "Psycho Bunny" crew. Like a secret society (laughs).

How many times have the two of you been to Japan?　Also, how did you feel about the Japanese fashion scene and Japanese fashion?

lobI have nothing but good impressions of Japan. I think Japanese men are confident in their own fashion and are open to new fashions. This may be a bit forward, but the store staff at "Psycho Bunny" also have excellent knowledge and sense of fashion, which makes them very reliable.

Robert.I first came to Japan 21 years ago. Since then, I have visited Japan about twice a year. So, in total, I have been to Japan nearly 50 times. As for fashion, I think everyone is very good at expressing themselves. I have a lot to learn from their unique style and way of dressing.

Also, this is the first time I noticed this, but in Japan, exclusive items are popular, not only in fashion. On the flip side, I thought that they are very particular about their products. Every aspect of the service is very attentive and of a high standard. For example, I was impressed by the extremely high level of denim and coffee.

Robert, do you have a favorite store in Japan?

Robert.I always go to specialty stores such as Isetan, BEAMS, SHIPS, and Barneys New York. I get a lot of inspiration from them. I also go to Sansui (a professional fishing tackle store). I bought a lot of lures there. The quality of Japanese lures is very high, so every time I come to Japan, I get some (laughs).

Sansui?　That's unexpected (laughs).

Robert.I like outdoor activities such as biking and mountain climbing, but I am especially crazy about fishing, so I made a big purchase (laughs). It's a boat that allows me to fish in the ocean. Rather than getting inspiration for my work, I relax in nature and use it on and off with my work.

What is the future outlook for "Psycho Bunny"?

Robert.I would like to increase the number of stores in Japan to 20 by the end of this year, which is a lofty goal. At the same time, I would like to build up the status of "Psycho Bunny" in Japan. I would also like to focus on e-commerce in the future.

Lastly, could you give a message to the readers of "Huinamu" and fans of "Psycho Bunny" in Japan?

Robert.Psycho Bunny always strives to make clothes with sincerity. We hope that Japanese people, who have a high level of fashion, will wear Psycho Bunny's clothes and look cool and cool.

The event is called "Fun Meets Designer."

The day after the interview, a special event was held at the flagship Psycho Bunny Shibuya store. Robert Godley and Robert Goldman were on hand to greet customers. The store was filled with many "Psycho Bunny" fans, who asked them various questions and expressed their love for the brand.