The work and life of a person who spends time with 【 Attitude's bags] Vol.2 Shun Iizuka

ATTITU is a modern brand of bags and small leather goods that inherits the spirit of Tsuchiya Bag Factory (hereinafter referred to as "Tsuchiya Bag"), which originated from a workshop established by a school bag craftsman in Tokyo. Based on the philosophy of making school bags, which can be said to be the first bag you will ever own in your life, ATTITU continues to produce items with minimalistic and functional designs.

In this series, we explore the appeal of *Attitude*—a brand that seamlessly integrates into everyday life—through the lives of four prominent figures. Our second guest is stylist Shun Iizuka. We spoke at length with him about his life and work as a passionate fashion enthusiast, as well as the practicality of *Attitude* bags.

Photo_Haruto Inomata
Text_Akiko Maeda

He’s been dedicated to the clothing industry for 20 years. He’s a hard worker who’s on the go from sunrise to sunset.

—I heard that Ms. Iizuka worked as a sales associate before becoming a stylist.

Iizuka: I started working at *Tomorrowland* when I was 18, and for about 10 years I gained experience as a sales associate at various stores. Even after becoming a stylist’s assistant, I continued to work part-time at *Estnation* once or twice a week.

—You’ve really dedicated your life to the fashion industry! What inspired you to become a stylist?

Iizuka: Actually, some of my clients were advertising agencies and professionals in the legal and accounting fields, and they advised me, “Instead of just waiting for customers as a salesperson, you should take the initiative and go out and find them.” Over the course of a few years, four or five people told me this, and it really resonated with me, so I finally made up my mind to take the plunge when I was 28.

“Tomorrowland” was a very competitive workplace, but I felt comfortable there, so I was torn. Of course, I love clothes, and I have a latent passion for creating things with others, recommending items to complete strangers, and talking to people. I thought it would be great if I could turn that into a career, so I did some research and discovered the job of a stylist—and I just knew, 'This is it!'"

—That’s amazing initiative! Did you become his apprentice right away?

Iizuka: Well, actually, a lot happened after that… I figured that once I became a stylist, I wouldn’t have any free time left, so I decided to take some time off to recharge before that. I spent six months in Singapore and New Caledonia, just having a blast. I had so much fun that I even forgot whose assistant I was supposed to be (laughs).

—That sounds tough (lol). How did you first meet Mr. Takeuchi?

Iizuka: After spending six months in Singapore, I took a year off to recharge, then started out with a part-time job assisting on location shoots. My second assignment was returning equipment from a *MEN’S EX* photoshoot led by Masahide Takeuchi, who would later become my mentor. Since Mr. Takeuchi was active across various media outlets, I decided I wanted to work with him, so I approached him directly and asked to become his assistant.

Over the next six or seven years, I gained a lot of experience working as an assistant, but when I think about it, about 30 other assistants left during that time...

—30 people? That’s amazing!

Iizuka: Some people quit after as little as three days. While the job of a stylist is often seen as glamorous, it actually involves a lot of tedious tasks like organizing invoices and creating credit cards. It’s also crucial to be able to accurately convey the wishes of clients and editors to your mentor. It can be quite mentally taxing, so unless you’re truly committed, it’s hard to stick with it.

—It’s been six years since you went independent after a tough time as an assistant. What does your typical schedule look like?

Iizuka: I’ve decided to take on basically every job that comes my way, so my days are literally packed with work from morning till night. From sunrise to sunset, I’m outside the entire time the sun is up. I’d like to wrap things up early so I can go out for a drink in the evening, but it really depends on how the day’s work goes (laughs). I rarely get a full day off, but since “work is my hobby,” there’s nothing that makes me happier.

—What would you do if you had a day off?

Iizuka: Doing laundry or polishing my leather shoes. I also water the plants.

A bag is a tool that boosts work productivity and an essential partner for a stylist.

NYLON BACKPACK
Size S (17L) ¥38,500
Size M (27L) ¥39,600
Size L (31L) ¥41,800

—It doesn’t sound like you have much free time, but that’s a very stylist-like way to spend your days (laughs). So, did you mainly use your *Attitude* bag as a work companion?

Iizuka: I don’t usually switch them out to match my daily outfits. That’s exactly why I focus on functionality when choosing one. Attitude’s backpacks have a clean, simple design that never gets old—they’re a perfect fit for my lifestyle.

The more I use it, the more I realize it’s a simple, high-quality bag designed with the user in mind. Since I often carry small items and documents like receipts, the laptop compartment and exterior pockets make it incredibly practical. I also really like the subtle leather accents—they add just the right touch.

—Are you the type who keeps your bag organized?

Iizuka: Since my life is all about work and routine, if I can’t find my keys, phone, or wallet, those little daily annoyances turn into major stress—so I make sure everything has its own designated spot.

Whenever I switch out the contents of my bag, I always end up losing things, so once I find a bag I like, I stick with it. I’m also the type of person who keeps everything organized in my room—the remote control goes here, the keys go there.

—So it’s not that you’re a neat freak or particularly meticulous; you just try to be efficient because looking for things is stressful.

Iizuka: That’s true. Since time is limited, I think it’s best not to waste any. So, since my work tools go inside my bag, functionality is the top priority. And since I find it convenient to have as much storage space as possible, I usually end up choosing a backpack.

—Is there a particular way you appreciate bags that’s unique to you, Ms. Iizuka?

Iizuka: Since I basically view them as tools, my philosophy is to keep using the same ones until they’re completely worn out. Even if they get holes in them, I repair them and keep using them. People around me often say, “Don’t you think that’s a bit too worn out?”

—Made from Cordura® fabric, which is about seven times stronger than nylon, this backpack is tough enough to handle the demands of a stylist’s job.

Iizuka: It’s lightweight, water-repellent, and durable, making it a reliable companion on any shoot. Since it’s so light, it’s a huge plus for me—I always have a lot of gear to carry because of my job.

—The nylon backpack that Mr. Iizuka uses is,Size S (17L), ,Size M (27L), ,Size L (31L)We also offer a range of sizes to suit your needs.

Iizuka: I tend to carry a lot of stuff, so the L is the obvious choice for me, but since I hear the M size has a capacity of 27 liters, it seems like the M would be fine for everyday use.

—Finally, could you tell us about your own goals for the future, Mr. Iizuka?

Iizuka: I feel truly fortunate to have found a job I’m passionate about. While I don’t feel any stress in my current work-centered life, I want to manage my work more effectively going forward and make sure to cherish my personal time as well. Once I have a little more free time, I’d like to take up hiking again—a hobby I used to enjoy frequently before becoming a stylist.