The "Best Wearing Jeans" celebrity35th Annual Best Geniusist 2018The presentation of the "MARUZA" was held at "Space O" in Omotesando Hills on Monday, October 15, 2012.
In the "Public Selection Category," where winners are determined by voting, the award went to Yusho Nakajima of Hey! Say! JUMP and Nanao. Ms. Nanao was inducted into the Hall of Fame this time.
Yoko Oginome, Issei Takahashi, and Jun Hasegawa were awarded in the "Council Selection Category" by the Best Geninist Selection Committee. In addition, Hanaka Ozawa was selected in the "General Newcomer Category," Shinen Kuroe and Ai Sato in the "Kids Category" Kids Junior Award, and Airi Sakamoto in the "SHOWROOM Special Award.
This year, the "Amazon Fashion Week TOKYO × Council Selection Category" was newly established, and the commemorative firstFACTOTUMThe award was presented to Koji Udo, the designer of the "Denim" brand. We conducted a mini interview with Mr. Udo, who just won this prestigious award for his love and contribution to denim.
First of all, congratulations on your award!
Arif: Thank you very much.
This year, you were selected for the "Amazon Fasion Week TOKYO × Council Selection Category," which was newly established this year. Please tell us your frank impression.
Arifumi: I was surprised at the sudden award, but denim has been an iconic item in the 15 years of "Factotum," so it was a real honor to be selected for the newly established award.
The first year's winner is very special for the selectors, isn't it? What made you fall in love with denim?
Ariyo: I spent my teenage years at a time when American casual and denim were inevitably taking root as fashion icons, so I was familiar with them from a young age. It was a natural progression for the most important items that shaped my fashion to be included in my collection.
In the past few years, there have been changes in your environment, such as the launch of your new line "Vallis by Factotum" and your appointment as director of "Costume National.
Udo: The base we want to propose at "FACTOTM" is "elegant" denim. We then mix in our own specialties, such as materials, silhouettes, and processing. For example, Costume National has a 30-year history of using Japanese denim fabrics for sewing, and even European brands have confidence in Japanese denim. After reaffirming the appeal of denim, I would like to help create new creations that make use of my background rather than my own creations. I hope to be a bridge for new creations by new people, such as the new brand "1/F" that has been launched within the company.
So, Mr. Udo's belief is to "introduce denim to the world.
Arif: Yes, that's right.
Factotum's seasonal inspirations include travel, literature, and many other things. Is there anything that is currently on your mind?
Arifumi: In terms of things, I am concerned about IT, AI, and technology. In terms of our own brand, e-commerce sales are changing, and I think the style of buying things is changing. We are searching for a new way of retailing, and we are temporarily closing the directly-managed stores that we had operated for many years. We are planning to open a new store in Daikanyama in the spring of next year, and we are thinking of combining the store and atelier in a style that allows customers to see what goes on behind the scenes. We hope to provide a place where we can be close to our customers and give them a glimpse of the makers.
There are people who say that the younger generation has lost the enthusiasm to understand the history of fashion due to the increase in the amount of information available since the time when Mr. Arifumi was devoted to fashion. I wouldn't go so far as to call it a dilemma, but what are your thoughts on the matter?
Arifumi: In the past, we could only get information from thrift stores, store clerks, and magazines. Nowadays, a lot of things are being sent out, and everything is often said on the screen. But I think that is a good thing in this new era. However, just as we were taught fashion by our elders, I think we need to teach the younger generation.
Mr. Udo, as a designer, has a big vision to continue to make solid products while at the same time communicating the excellence of Japanese denim and fashion itself. Who will be the winner of this prestigious award next year?
Text_Rei Kawahara
Best-Jeanist Best-Geneist
www.best-jeans.com
