Serial 【 T-shirt wearers of Blanckt's T-shirts.] VOL.1 Yasuo Ishii, Riko Huang

Summer is for T-shirts. Children and adults, Japanese and Americans, everyone wears T-shirts in the summer. But because we wear T-shirts so often, we want the fabric and silhouette to be comfortable. That is where "Blankt" comes in. Blankt is a T-shirt body brand that debuted this spring. Although it is an up-and-coming brand, it has already been picked up by major boutiques and is now the focus of much attention. We have a lot to say about this and that, but first, we decided to have eight well-informed people actually try on the brand. In this first installment, we will introduce two people who are both aiming for the world.

Photo_Shingo Goya
Text&Edit_Yuri Sudo

No.1 Yasuo Ishii
(Coffee roaster owner, roaster, barista)

Born in Tokyo in 1982. He debuted as a professional boxer in high school and was active in the sport. After retiring due to injury, he managed several restaurants and opened "LEAVES COFFEE ROASTERS" in Kuramae, Tokyo in January 2019. Currently, in addition to running the store, he is working hard to compete in competitions to become a world champion in brewers (extraction).
Instagram:@yasuoishii

Dare to be white to be careful not to stain.

Please tell us about your daily clothing needs.

I wear a variety of clothes from three brands: Old Joe, Fig Belle, and Olds. I arrived at these three brands after experimenting with various styles when I was younger and finding a comfort and shape that I liked in my own way. In terms of clothes, I especially like set-ups. I always wear it on important occasions.

What kind of T-shirts do you like?

The colors are white or black, with white being the most common by far. I like simple ones without prints, and I choose them by material and details.

How do you feel about wearing a Blancto T-shirt?

Since I usually wear it just a light piece, I am glad that it is both comfortable and pleasant to the touch.

I chose white because I always wear a white T for work. I wear a white T, white pants, and a white doctor's coat that I ordered separately from [Olds]. The reason I wear white all over is because it makes me work carefully so as not to get stained by coffee. It's a unique feature of my work.

Please tell us about your recent work.

While running the store, I am actually competing in the Brewers (extraction) competition to become the world champion. I have been preparing for this competition for a year and a half, and just the day before yesterday, I went to the domestic qualifying round. If I win, there will be a final at the end of September, and if I become the Japanese representative, there will be a world competition next year, so I am now looking forward to the results*.

If we win the title, I think more people will come to LEAVES COFFEE ROASTERS to drink our coffee. Just as my own life was changed by coffee, I want to save the lives of the customers who come to LEAVES COFFEE ROASTERS through coffee. I want to win the title because I believe that this will be my way of giving back to coffee.

*A few days after the interview, Mr. Ishii was notified that he had qualified, and he went on to win the final.

Finally, what would you like to do this summer?

I will be sourcing coffee beans for the finals at the end of September in a certain country, and that is what I am looking forward to this summer. I have a feeling that I can create a new new wave. It is going to be hot, so I would like to wear this [Blanckt] T-shirt.

The T-shirt worn by Mr. Ishii at ▶︎ isthis way (direction close to the speaker or towards the speaker)

No.2 Riko Huang
(Jewelry designer and model)

Born in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan in 1996. Has roots in Japan and Taiwan. After entering Musashino Art University, she worked as a model while creating jewelry. She started her own jewelry brand "TALANTO" in 2018 while still a student at Musashino Art University, and is still active as a designer after graduation.
Instagram:@riko_ko__

My first black T is going to be used hard in London.

Please tell us about your daily clothing needs.

I like to wear simple outfits with lots of jewelry that I have made myself.

What kind of T-shirts do you like?

I often wear kids' size T-shirts. In any country, the kids' sections of recycle stores are reasonably priced and the sizing fits my body shape. I also borrow my father's old band and college T-shirts to wear.

How do you feel about wearing a Blancto T-shirt?

I chose the large M for me, partly because I like my father's big size t-shirts. I don't have one in black, but it looks easy to use. In fact, in London, clothes tend to get color-migrated and tattered when washed in the washing machine, so I thought black would last a long time.

To be honest, I've never been fond of new T-shirts because they seem thick and difficult to use, but the fabric of "Blancto" is reasonably thin and soft, and it is as comfortable to wear as old clothes.

Please tell us about your recent work.

I moved to London last fall, attracted by the techniques and history of British metalworking. I am now working as a jewelry designer and also a model.

My brand is not created in collections, but rather I create my jewelry as I feel at any given moment, as if I were writing a diary. I am planning to show my jewelry for the first time in London next week, and I am anxious to see how my jewelry will be perceived by people overseas.

Finally, what would you like to do this summer?

I want to tan in the park! In London, in the summer, gals wear bikinis and lie on the ground with mats pulled out. Unlike Japan, the culture of tanning skin is deeply rooted in the city, and it is a positive thing to be told that you have a tan. It's like a sign that they can afford to go on vacation, both financially and emotionally. So this summer I want to imitate their tan.

The T-shirt worn by ▶︎ Huang isthis way (direction close to the speaker or towards the speaker)