PROFILE
Born in Awaji Island, Hyogo Prefecture. After working as an elementary school teacher, she switched careers in the fashion industry. She worked as a sales representative and PR manager at Brooks Brothers. After retiring from Brooks Brothers, he launched the pants-only brand "NEET" in 2015. Currently manages the press office "Nishinoya" and plans to open "N&N STORE" in his hometown on Awaji Island this summer.
PROFILE
Buyer. After working as a buyer at the select store "Edifice", he became independent. After working on his own, he launched "Reshop" in 2015. Currently, he is the buyer of the store and also supervises various brands and labels.
I kept thinking, "What is a NEET?" . I've been thinking about it for a long time.
When did Mr. Kaneko start calling Mr. Nishino "O-chan"?
Western Pure Land (Amitabha's Buddhist paradise). since that's when I started WEEKEND....
Kaneko:When was it?
Westfield:The first time was in November 2019. So, it was roughly 4 years ago .
Kaneko:Yes, that's right. I've been calling him "O-chan" ever since then. But "NEET" and "Reshop" have known each other much longer.
Westfield:You've been handling the "Neat" since its debut in 2016.
Kaneko:Strictly speaking, I would go to the exhibitions, but it was another staff member who would actually select the items. In my mind, I had a clear image of what slacks should look like, and I thought it was the younger generation that would be directly attracted to them, not me. So I kept thinking, "What is a 'neat' person? I had been thinking about it for a long time.
. While you found it attractive, there was a gap between your view of slacks and that of Kaneko's, wasn't there?
Kaneko:Yes, it is. . so I always wanted to understand. . and in order to do that, I had to put "NEET" on my own story.
One day, I went out for a drink with O-chan and we talked about how much we liked America, and it hit me. I thought, "Wouldn't it be great if we could create a "NEET" in the U.S.? I thought, "Why not? That's how "NEAT" came into my mind. The beginning of the international custom order series is an important point in the relationship between Da-chan and me, as well as between "NEET" and "Reshop".
That's what 2018 is all about.This articleSo it leads to a
Westfield:. It was a drinking party, and to be honest, I didn't really think it would happen. At the time, I didn't know any factories in the U.S., and I had to rely on Mr. Kaneko for everything. I would have been happy if we could have made it happen, but I was sure he would be busy (laughs). Then one day, Mr. Kaneko contacted me and we decided to go to the U.S. at short notice.
That's how "NEAT USA" was born. It was a great success, wasn't it?
Kaneko:It was awesome. There was quite a line out the door and it was a big deal.
Westfield:. we couldn't understand why there was such a strong response. The price is inevitably higher because it is made in the U.S. , and it is not a product that generates a lot of profit for us in the first place. The cost of goods goes up. But why did we still want to make "NEAT USA" and why was it accepted? That is just romanticism, isn't it?
Kaneko:I believe that pursuing romance is what we should do. We go to the U.S., search for fabrics, experiment with various things, and make them. It may seem unimportant to those who are not interested, but that is our context and our passion. There is also an interesting aspect of connecting with another culture that is separated from us by a physical distance. The people who need to know about it will receive it, and it will be reflected in the clothes of those who actually understand it and take it in their hands. Fashion cannot be described only in terms of specifications. It is a profound thing that influences the thoughts and actions of those who wear it.
This passion has not changed at all up until this time, when I worked on "NEAT PARIS. We are happy that our customers get into our silly stories with us.
