10 things about F/CE.

The face of a "store" is, of course, its products, but the kind of space in which they are placed is also very important. This is especially true if it is a flagship store. This is because the interior design of a flagship store is a condensed version of the brand's worldview. F/CE Flagship Store" has locations in Tokyo and Osaka. Its design was created by Mr. Yamane, who is also a member of the band "toe. The store is characterized by the fact that it is not entirely surrounded by new construction materials, but rather, it is finished in a way that retains the vestiges of each structure and stands out in contrast to the new construction. I think there is a similarity to the product and design of "FCE," which updates traditions and memories by fusing them with current technology," says Yamasoma. I think it has something in common with the products and designs of F.C.E., which fuse tradition and memories with today's technology and update them," says Yamashinae. Yamane, with whom we have had a long relationship both publicly and privately, is described as "a person who does not say much in words, but quietly and deliberately solidifies his own expression and is able to express it well. Mr. Yamane is always thinking of new ideas, and Mr. Yamazumi is the embodiment of those ideas. When we asked them about their next move, they seemed to be interested in a project involving "food" and "housing," including accommodations and residences. Now that we have their word, we are eagerly waiting to see what they have in store for us.

The next topic will be about "clothes," which are at the center of creation. This time, we visited Denmark, one of the Nordic countries. Based on the theme of "Purpose/Equality," a local design philosophy rooted in tradition and identity, simple and beautiful forms have been further refined and functionality has been improved. The result is a lineup that is minimalist, convenient, and highly practical. However, the wide, relaxed, yet stylish silhouettes are a reflection of the mood of the times and the "pursuit of comfort," as well as a reflection of "what we would wear today," says Yamane. The skill to subtly fuse the universal concept of "pursuit of comfort" with the current mood of "what we would wear now" shines through in the construction of wide, relaxed, yet stylish silhouettes. He says, "Almost all of our items share the same features that would be nice to have. For example, a secret pocket on the sleeve to hide a credit card when traveling, or a pocket that fits a Kindle device. Pursuing practicality as well as innovation . We find new meaning in small details and add value and ease of use to them. God is in the details, and clothes are nurtured by the wearer. . The bottom line is the deepening of monozukuri that can only be understood by the wearer.

The 2016 SS season, five years after the brand's establishment. The brand name was changed from "FICOUTURE" to "F/CE." The brand logo was also given a fresh start. The logo was designed by Mr. Hirabayashi, who is active on the scene as an art director. The design was created with "functionality" in mind, "more like a tool than a fashion item," he said. The design is as simple and clear as that phrase suggests. Before the redesign, Mr. Hirabayashi says, "I had the impression that there was a big difference between the product I was creating and the way the brand actually looked. The newly created logo successfully expresses the functionality of the initial letter "F," which symbolizes the renewed product lineup with a stronger product character, in only five letters of text. Conversely, in show invitations, etc., he tries not to make them too solid, but rather to successfully convey the mood of the season's collection. We are sure that F.C.E. will continue to express the brand's worldview with different visuals each season.

Sustainability has become an essential issue in today's society. For the past four years, FCE has been promoting the switch to recycled materials as a solution to raise awareness of environmental issues and have a more sustainable and positive impact on the environment, and this season, 70% of the collection was designed with sustainability in mind. The highlight of the collection is the eco-friendly Eco-Boa fabric developed with our partner Eco-Pel. However, we don't want to be intrusive. . Our goal is to provide value that improves people's lives through our items. . In order to do so, we need to build a close relationship between objects and people, and have people actively experience them. . It is an item of fashion, and it is something that goes along with our daily lives. Therefore, we place importance on whether the items are machine washable or not," says Yamane. Ask the staff how to take care of the items at the actual store. The communication that takes place in this process is from the perspective of social design, which believes that "connecting people with people leads to the solution of social issues. We are happy if the products are environmentally friendly and good for people's lives," says Yamane. Such an open-minded stance is also "unmistakable. This is what true sustainability means, isn't it?

As usual, I talked with Yamane-san and Haru-chan about the current mood of the fashion world," said Nishimura. The result is a down jacket and trousers that have been a staple since the first collaboration. The former is made of Solotex suede, which has a realistic, nostalgic texture and stretchability. The latter, on the other hand, combines the highly waterproof and breathable Pertex Shield outer fabric with the heat-storing material Octa lining. Both are highlights of the fusion of fabrics and patterns not normally used by "Digawell". The strength of collaboration is that details, moods, and experiences that we would have overlooked on our own can be reflected in the products, and the next product is in the works for next winter. We are currently working on the next product line for next winter. (Kohei Nishimura)

Next, we interviewed Mr. Yokota, president of Nanga, who has been involved in the production of collaborative items every year since the brand was first launched. As Mr. Yokota said, "We were able to fuse functionality and fashion by materializing Mr. Yamane's designs, which are filled with his particular taste. The down series, which is the face of the brand, is gaining popularity every year. Every time we collaborate, we learn something new. President Yokota says, "Every time we collaborate, we learn something new, and we want to continue to work together to create products that will be recognized not only in Japan, but around the world. （Tomoyuki Yokota, President of F.C.E.)

What comes first is the chicken or the egg. In the case of clothing, it is either the material or the design. When I asked Mr. Yamane which comes first in the making of F.C.E.'s products, he replied, "The material comes first. His method is a little different. He starts by turning the pages of a notebook in which he has collected words. He begins by turning to the pages of his notebook, where he has collected words and phrases. From the drawers where he has written down his impressions of the architecture and nature he has seen and experienced when visiting the country of the season's theme, he selects words, extracts nuances, and searches for the right material. . I feel that this methodology is somewhat similar to music production. For this 2023 AW season, the focus is on Pertex Quantum, which is extremely lightweight and achieves excellent tear and seam strength by densely weaving ultra-fine yarns of 20 denier or less. Other new items include a triple weave of polyester that is lightweight, quick-drying, and has high heat storage properties, waterproof pants made of a wool blend, and an attempt to blend Solotex, which has been a staple of the collection to date, with natural materials. At the heart of the collection is the pursuit of comfort that is in keeping with one's lifestyle. Yamane says, "We are trying to achieve a balance where the product is not just 'functional' at first glance, but something that can be noticed only when you hold it in your hand. Yamane says, "We are aiming for that kind of balance. The starting point is the "material.

F.C.E." is a company run by Mr. Yamane and Mrs. Haruyama, a husband and wife team. They have a strong point in their "unisex" brand. Yamada, who is in charge of styling for the look, says, "While the brand is based on technical active wear, the bold silhouettes and unique sense of color give it a sense of playfulness that is not found in so-called outdoor brands. He says that he is endlessly interested in the unseen accessory parts and functional materials that are added every season. He also offers some advice on how to dress, saying, "I think it's interesting to combine different items, such as dressy clothes, leather shoes, and other items with an elegant taste, or, on the other hand, items with a taste, such as vintage clothes. Please take a look at this article for your reference. (Ryota Yamada)

So, how do female stylists see them?　Ms. Ito, who is a close friend of the two designers, says that she feels the "unique charm" of the "openings" that are not too perfect. He also explains the reason for this: "I feel that the culture that the two designers have experienced up to this point comes through. The designs have a strong individuality, and there is a range of styles that can be freely enjoyed in various ways. This is what strikes a professional's heartstrings. When styling, he says, "I want to wear it! I try to convey this straight to the viewer," says Ito. Ito herself loves to use these items as a "plus one" item to add to her standard outfits. Ito's creations are constantly evolving, and his new activities in Tokyo and London are just the beginning. We are looking forward to seeing what they have in store for us. （Nobuko Ito)

If there is a chance to look back on F.C.E. in the years and decades to come, this year, 2023, will be an indispensable topic of discussion. . One is the opening of the Osaka store, the first flagship store in the Kansai area. Another is the establishment of a subsidiary in London as a base after Japan. Haruyama, who plays a part in "F.C.E." as a women's designer, says, "I think I will be able to see a new landscape, and since I only live once, I'm going to enjoy it. F.C.E., which has customers in Europe as well, has always wanted to do something about the price hike in overseas sales. He decided to establish a subsidiary in London, believing that if he could use the city as a base for overseas distribution, he could solve this problem and discover new value in terms of creativity. Born in Osaka, I moved to Tokyo at the age of 27 , and that was the beginning of my second life. Then, as the third stage, I moved to London. Of course I am anxious, but more than that, I feel that I will have fun and step up in my work, and I have nothing but high expectations for my life in London. There should be a lot of community in terms of fashion and culture, and I want to be a part of that. F.C.E. is moving on to a new stage, and Ms. Haruyama is entering her third stage. We will continue to keep an eye on the Yamane's as they take on new challenges one after another.