The uniqueness of Nanga White Label and Moon Lloyd in the eyes of stylists. | feature

It is geared as a construction, even though the face is not.

PROFILE

Tomoyuki Sasaki

Born in 1982. After studying under Katsuyuki Honjo, he became independent in 2011 and is active in a variety of media from fashion magazines to advertising and catalog production. He is known for his modern and realistic styling that flexibly mixes outdoor elements. He has a deep knowledge of outdoor activities such as camping and mountain climbing, and is increasingly being asked to direct not only clothing styling, but also the overall direction of the company.

How do you see Moon Lloyd's items from the perspective of Mr. Sasaki, who has seen many outdoor brands?

Sasaki: While the functionality is outstanding, the design is also very user-friendly, as it is designed to be worn around town. For example, the color of the "Strongest Down" from "Nanga White Label," which Moon Lloyd has specially ordered from "Nanga," fits well with my own style of using only items in subdued tones, mainly black.

The colors used for Nanga White Label down are inspired by the colors of the Hokkaido winter sky.

Sasaki: I like that attitude, too. It is a good representation of Hokkaido, the land where "Moon Lloyd" is located. The fact that they use the environment in which they live and the surrounding nature as a motif is a very reliable point for an outdoor brand.

Do you have any "Moon Lloyd" items that you love to use?

Sasaki: I'm wearing the previous model of down pants that were sold in 2014 and used in the styling. Many people may not pay much attention to the heat retention properties of bottoms, but when I put them on, they are very warm and comfortable. It's like wearing them outside, coming home, taking a bath, and then realizing you've put your legs through them again (laughs).

The 60/40 fabric is also perfect for everyday use, and the silhouette is beautiful and extremely useful. This year's model is warmer and more comfortable to wear by eliminating the side seams. I also admire their attitude to keep updating.

One of the starting points for Nanga White Label's "Strongest Down," one of its signature products, was to create a down that would be comfortable even in Touma Town, where the temperature drops well below minus 10 degrees Celsius (-10 degrees Fahrenheit).

Sasaki: It is nice that the starting point is not marketing, but personal thoughts. I feel that the origins of the brand and the attitude of thinking ahead of the brand have a whiff of an outdoor garage brand. I think this is one of the things that strikes a chord with outdoor enthusiasts.

When going outside, just wearing this down jacket over a T-shirt or other light clothing is enough. The maximum fill power of Nanga's inline wear is 860, but the strongest down has a fill power of 940.

Sasaki: Maybe that's why it's so light, both when you hold it and when you put your sleeves through it. The style of wearing down over light clothing is said to be unique to Hokkaido, but I think it is also perfect for cities like Tokyo, where it is hot inside stores and public transportation vehicles.

Are there any other things you notice?

Sasaki: Generally, outdoor brand down jackets are oversized or so stuffed with down that it is obvious at a glance. However, the "Strongest Down" is just the right thickness and stuffed with down, so it does not look over-spec on the outside. And yet, when you put your sleeves on it, it is extremely warm. I feel like this is very well calculated, from the pattern to the amount of down, in other words, down to the smallest detail.

The same can be said for the special-order items from Rocky Mountain Featherbeds, which have a modern design but also have specifications that can withstand the conditions in Hokkaido. It's a very good balance.

Incidentally, the company president himself wears samples of most of the items and adjusts minor details as a result of his daily life.

Sasaki: I really like the fact that an independent store is going that far. That's nothing but passion, isn't it? When I hear that, I realize that even though the products don't look like gear at first glance, they are made of gear. The shop is designed for street wear, so the entrance is wide, but the thoroughness and attention to detail that goes into it is something that I think is hard to imitate.