I watch the Wu-Tang Clan videos and think, "This style is cool.
Mr. Uesugi, I understand that you are a regular user of "Nike Sportswear" tech packs.
thin Japanese paper (used as tissue during the Edo period)It is flattering and I wear it really well. I was doing a photo shoot yesterday, and both the top and bottom were tech packs.
You are a really heavy user!
thin Japanese paper (used as tissue during the Edo period)Actually, tight silhouette clothes like tech packs are pretty rare for me. I usually dress loose. However, the Tech Pack is tight, yet more comfortable than a regular sweatshirt, and it looks good too. It looks like a sweatshirt, but it is not a sweatshirt. It's like...a tech pack is a tech pack, but it's a different kind of pack.
What do you usually wear?
thin Japanese paper (used as tissue during the Edo period)I usually wear vintage clothes. My favorite brand is "Nike" by far (laughs). (Laughs.) I like to go to vintage clothing stores and dig for "Nike" from the 90s. I collect quite a lot.
Are you not interested in so-called trendy items?
thin Japanese paper (used as tissue during the Edo period)I am aware of minimal trends, but I am not interested in them. It is not that I dislike what is in vogue, but rather I value whether or not I think something is cool more than the trend.
I was choosing items based on my intuition, without paying attention to brands or trends, and I naturally ended up wearing a lot of vintage clothing, especially "Nike" from the 90's. Then I realized once again that I like vintage clothing and "Nike" design (laugh). That made me realize once again that I like vintage clothing and "Nike" design (laugh).
What exactly do you like?
thin Japanese paper (used as tissue during the Edo period)Basically, I like simple designs. I value color and silhouette more than graphics. I like width and subdued colors. For example, if I see a one-tone crew sweatshirt with a swoosh at a vintage clothing store, I would get it without hesitation.
In fact, I often use one tone in coordination. All gray, all black, and so on. Basically, I use at most two or three colors in my coordination.
You have your own set of rules and standards, don't you? Uesugi-san likes music and has many musician friends. What kind of music do you usually listen to?
thin Japanese paper (used as tissue during the Edo period)Basically, I listen to everything, but if I had to pick one, it would be hip-hop. Among them, the Wu-Tang Clan may have influenced me in terms of fashion. Their style is simple in terms of the items themselves, but they wear them in terms of size and silhouette. That's what makes it fresh.
It's the exact opposite of the tight style that is the mainstream these days, but that's why it's a good reference for me, because when I watch their music videos from the 90s, I think "winter clothes are cool.
On the other hand, I also think rock styles like skinny pants and black boots are cool. I am not obsessed with that. The only thing I am particular about is the color and silhouette, and I am not particular about the genre at all.
Do you like things that have a background?
thin Japanese paper (used as tissue during the Edo period)Yes, I do. I like styles that have some kind of background. I think such styles are fun to wear.
The word "Provocative" is used as the theme of the new Tec-Pac collection that you wore today. What is your "Provocative" stance?
thin Japanese paper (used as tissue during the Edo period)I wonder. I think it's someone who has a sense of self, someone who doesn't get carried away. People who don't change may not seem to be doing anything challenging at first glance, but I think that not changing yourself despite the fact that you are not in tune with the times is very challenging as a result.
There really are a lot of guys like that around me. Regardless of the times or social systems, if you continue to do what you think is cool without blurring the lines, you will end up being a pioneer. I think it is a very challenging style.
I think Nike is a brand like that. I think that Nike is a brand like that. While adapting to the times, there is always a part that never blurs, and I think the word "Provocative" fits that part. It is something that never changes. I am sure of it.
Can you think of anyone around you who fits the word "Provocative"?
thin Japanese paper (used as tissue during the Edo period)I am very familiar with IO (KANDYTOWN). He never wavers. He only does what is cool and clearly states, "I will not do anything that is not cool. That's quite challenging, and I think it's natural that he attracts attention as a pioneer. To be honest, it is a bit of a nuisance since we are close friends (laugh).
The other is Kento Yamada of yahyel, who both do what they think is cool and are highly acclaimed. They are making the world sit up and take notice with their own sense of style and skill. It is amazing that they are able to do what they do without wavering.
It is a blessing to have someone close to you who feels that way.
thin Japanese paper (used as tissue during the Edo period)Yes, I think so. Everyone around me is "Provocative". Being in an environment with such people, I get a lot of inspiration from them, and I hope to be like them myself. I am in a big system, but lately I often think about how much I can do without blurring the lines within it. Thanks to the support of people who understand me, I hope to continue to devote myself as an actor.
