NEW FORM of Rocky Mountain Featherbed 2017SS A full look at the new R.M.F.B. line debuting.
Rocky Mountain Featherbed" is a brand that enjoys strong support from around the world, especially for its iconic down vests with leather yokes. The brand, which has a rather strong image of fall and winter products, has debuted a full-fledged casual label from the 2017 SS. The name of the label is "R.M.F.B.". What kind of chemical change has occurred with the addition of Mohammed Raj, who grew up surrounded by the hip-hop, skate, and fashion of Paris in the 1990s? We had an exclusive interview with him in Paris, where it was extremely cold.
Can you give us a brief history of your career before starting R.M.F.B.?
Mohammed.My first job was at a boutique in Paris. There, they sold American traditional items, but they were not what you would call "orthodox" American, but rather a different interpretation.
So it was "American Tiger" mastered in the French style.
Mohammed.I am interested in Japanese fashion as well. I personally was originally interested in American fashion, but I have also always had an interest in Japanese fashion. One time, when I had the opportunity to play basketball with Japanese people, I was introduced to various Japanese brands, which was very interesting.
I guess there is a lot of interest in Japanese fashion overseas.
Mohammed.: Yes, that's right. After that, I had many encounters and worked with many brands... I met someone when I went to Vancouver, Canada in 2000, and he introduced me to Eddie Cruz of "Undefeated," which led me to "Union. From there, I was introduced to "UNION" and so on...
You must have met many important people and important stores in your time.
Mohammed.I've also had the opportunity to meet New Era, Carhartt, Padmore & Barnes, and others. I'm 38 years old now, and I'm interested in old brands, but I like new brands just as much.
When did you become acquainted with Thirty Five Summers, the company that operates Rocky Mountain Featherbed?
Mohammed.It was 2009. Kinji Teramoto, the president of "Thirty Five Summers," was wearing a great sweatshirt. It was made by Loopwiller. Also, the sneakers he was wearing were great.
Where did that come from?
Mohammed.The "WAKOUWA" pair is currently being released as a standard item by "Anatomica" and is based on the original last, which was based on a modified last. WAKOUWA" is based on a pair of "Sperry Topsider" military specs from the 40s, and Kinji and I immediately hit it off, like, "This is from the 40s, isn't it?
If we have such a deep common language, it seems that we will be able to open up to each other quickly.
Mohammed.I was very surprised. We talked about many things from there. Kinji-san has a tremendous knowledge of old vintage clothing, but he also creates new creations based on that knowledge. Whenever I met Kinji-san in Paris, I told him that "Rocky Mountain Featherbed" was mainly for fall and winter, and that he should do a spring and summer line as well. I was always talking about how we should do a spring/summer line as well.
So that's what led you to R.M.F.B. this time.
Mohammed.Yes, that's right. Rocky Mountain Featherbed" has cowboy-like nuances and outdoor tastes, which are the core of the brand. Understanding that, we thought a lot about what direction we should expand the brand in.
PULLOVER PARKA Pullover parka with a dry, comfortable fit made of American-made 4-ply nylon tazlan. The silhouette can be arranged with drawcords at the waist and hem. ¥29,000+tax
LONG SLEEVE TEE
This long T is available in a total of six colors, the mock neck being the most distinctive feature. Perfect for layering. ¥9,500+TAX
By the way, did you know about Rocky Mountain Featherbed?
Mohammed.: Of course. I had one myself. After much thought, I decided that it would be interesting to take the new brand in a new direction by mixing preppy and street elements with the outdoor, work, and other elements of the Rocky Mountain Featherbed brand.
I heard that you like hip-hop and skating. Does such culture influence your craftsmanship?
Mohammed.I like skating. I can't do it myself (laughs).
I heard that you were helping out at a famous skate brand store in Paris.
Mohammed.I am not officially involved in the project, but a good friend of mine is the head designer, so I consulted with him on various things. I also organized the launch party. The boss of the brand seems to like "Rocky Mountain Featherbed.
I see.
Mohammed.R.M.F.B.: I was inspired not only by skating, but also by other sports and various other elements.
There's a little bit of a torad feel to it, too.
Mohammed.: Yes, we have BD shirts and so on. I like to combine different elements to create new styles. Today I am wearing high-tech sneakers with "R.M.F.B." I think this kind of style is very much like me.
SHORT SLEEVE PULLOVER SHIRT
Short-sleeved pullover shirt in light chambray fabric. The recently popular half-zip is incorporated, and the slanted pocket is an iconic detail. ¥18,000+TAX
It may be a misnomer to say that you look Japanese, but you have a very natural mix and match style. Is this how you usually dress?
Mohammed.I often mix high-tech sneakers with wool pants. As I discussed with Kinji-san, "R.M.F.B." is not something to be worn as a single brand, but rather to be worn with other brands, so I was careful to incorporate various elements and make the clothes _with a wide range of styles_.
What is painted on the back of this blouson?
Mohammed.Wyoming, U.S.A.: The birthplace of the Rocky Mountain Featherbed. That's where the Rocky Mountain Featherbed was born.
I see. It has an atmosphere similar to what we call "skajans" in Japan.
Mohammed.: exactly. In Europe and the United States, we call it a "Souvenir Jacket. By putting bright embroidery like this on canvas, it gives it much more atmosphere, doesn't it?
SOUVENIR POCKET TEE(LEFT),SOUVENIR JACKET(RIGHT)
This item features a bold design of Wyoming, the birthplace of the Rocky Mountain Featherbed. T-shirt made of American cotton yarn and blouson made of American organic duck fabric; T-shirt ¥10,000+TAX, Blouson ¥35,000+TAX
It is quite different from a simple print, isn't it? By the way, has Mohammed ever been to Japan?
Mohammed.I've been to Tokyo five times. I went to Tokyo about five times. I had a lot of fun seeing all the different things, but I couldn't find clothes in my size that fit me (laughs).
I see (laughs). Paris and Tokyo are quite different, but both have their good points. By the way, are there any stores in Paris that you are interested in?
Mohammed.There are two: one is a skate shop. One is a skate store called "Starcow". And the other is a vintage store, "Oh LumièreIt is". The vintage clothing store is about 5 minutes away from the "MAN" venue (of the joint exhibition that was the location of this interview). Then, for restaurants, there is "Bob De TunisIt's small, but it has a great atmosphere. It's small but has a great atmosphere. It is a restaurant where you can eat Tunisian or Jewish food from North Africa.
Speaking of North Africa, Mohammed has Algerian roots, right?
Mohammed.: Yes, I am from Algeria. My parents are from Algeria and I grew up in a suburb of Paris. I am the youngest of seven children.
I heard that there are many North Africans in France.
Mohammed.: Yes, that's right. There are many people who have roots in Algeria. I learned a lot from my brothers. One brother taught me Burberry, another taught me Vans and Adidas cigarettes, and so on. They all like different things, and I am influenced by each of them.
I guess you could say that I have been blessed.
Mohammed.I was in an environment where I could learn many things, although it was not an educational experience.
How do you see your home country, France, in terms of fashion?
Mohammed.In my opinion, French people are too sensitive to trends: if vintage is in fashion, they all wear vintage, if high fashion is in fashion, they wear high fashion, and if Comme des Garçons shirts are popular, they wear them.
That is surprising. I have the impression that everyone has a well-defined sense of self.
EASY SHORTS
Like the pullover, these shorts are made of American-made 4-ply nylon Tazlan for a dry, comfortable fit. Gusseted inseam for comfortable mobility. Mesh pockets for a fresh look. ¥16,000+TAX
TRUCKER CAP
The brand's logo is made into a badge for a visual impact. A trucker cap to be worn with a clean style. ¥8,000+TAX
Mohammed.But I think things are changing a bit these days.
R.M.F.B." 2017SS was the first season of "R.M.F.B." Do you have any plans for the future?
Mohammed.: We will take a break for the fall/winter season for a while. By the way, after working with "Thirty Five Summers" this time to make clothes, I thought their production is wonderful. I have dealt with many different companies, and I really think so.
So I guess we can expect to see the second season at the time of the 2018 SS.
Mohammed.Yes, we are. That is the plan for now.
I'm looking forward to seeing you. Thank you very much for your time today!
