[FOCUS IT.] Fresh Service and Weekend join forces to launch a mobile flea market. We spoke with four of the organizers.

From left to right: Keiji Kaneko, Daishi Nishino, Takayuki Minami, Hiroyuki Oshima

."L'ÉCHOPPEKeiji Kaneko, a "conceptor," and [JoonHERILLHiroyuki Oshima, designer of the "TheNISHINOYAWEEKEND" is a market event launched by director and designer of "NEAT" and "DRESS" Daishi Nishino.

What started as a weekend-only event, selling personal items of the three members, has now grown to a level where it can no longer be called just a flea market, with original Weekend items and the newly created line "THE WEEKEND CITY CLUB". The event has grown to a level where it can no longer be called just a flea market.

In this issue, the "FreshServiceThe news arrived of the launch of "Mobile Flea Market," a new mobile flea market created in collaboration with

The first event will be held on July 23 (Thursday, national holiday) and 24 (Friday, national holiday) at FreshService headquarters. This time, not only the organizer's personal items and original items, but also items from "WEEKEND Service," a collaboration line created by the two parties.

So we asked the three "Weekenders" and Mr. Takayuki Minami, Creative Director of Fresh Service, for the full story of what this event is all about in the first place.

-How did this "mobile flea market" get started?

Hiroyuki Oshima ("Oshima"):I think it started as a story that Minami and the "Weekend" team were doing an insta-live.

Daishi Nishino ("Nishino"):So we decided to do something.

Takayuki Minami ("Minami"):Yes, we talked about doing something interesting with Mr. Kaneko. It was at that time that we decided on the name "Weekend Service," a combination of our mutual brand names.

Keiji Kaneko ("Kaneko"):It was a spur-of-the-moment conversation that took shape as a project and came to fruition.

WEEKEND Service shorts ¥8,000+TAX

-To begin with, how did the original "Weekend" begin?

Oshima:I remember saying to Mr. Kaneko, "Would you like to do a flea market with me?" I remember saying to Mr. Kaneko, "Why don't we do a flea market together?

Westfield:I think it all started last April when Mr. Kaneko and I held a flea market at a select store "Eureka" in Gifu. At that time, we decided to continue to do so in the future. Then, I heard that Oshima-san and Kaneko-san also wanted to hold a flea market at the same time.

Kaneko:Yes, I was originally talking with Mr. Nishino about how we wanted to someday travel around the country with a mobile flea market. Then Mr. Oshima said he wanted to gather his friends and have a flea market, so the three of us decided to do it together. Since we all had day jobs and could only get together on weekends, we decided on the name "Weekend.

'47 × WEEKEND Service Cap ¥6,000+TAX

-You have visited many places since then. What do you look forward to most about the "Weekend" activities?

Kaneko:It's fun just to get the members together. We laugh a lot, even though we always talk about the same things. But the best part is the expeditions. It doesn't feel like work, but more like a trip with friends.

Oshima:Speaking of expeditions, when we went to Paris, it was especially interesting because we were living together. But all of the activities are interesting, and when we all talk about clothes and get excited about coming up with ideas together, it never stops. It's a lot of fun doing things like looking at and wearing vintage clothes together.

Westfield:We all stayed at an Airbnb and had a great time. The members are all seniors, but they have been very nice to us and we have had a great time.

Kaneko:Paris was exceptional. We spent time as a family, and in the morning Mr. Oshima would cook breakfast for us. It was also delicious. I would like to go back.

WEEKEND Service T-shirt ¥7,800+TAX

-How did you start The Weekend City Club?

Kaneko:Suddenly, we were talking about going to a golf outing. Then I said, "Let's dress up for a round of golf, and if possible, wear formal wear. From there, we decided to create a club where people could enjoy activities in the city. Golf courses are called "00 Country Clubs," right? Then we decided that our club would be a city club because it would be based in the city. So the decision was made very quickly and smoothly.

Oshima:The items are designed with the image of if there was a sports club in a certain department store in New York.

FREDRIK PACKERS × WEEKEND Service waist pouch ¥8,000+TAX

-What did Mr. Minami think of the activities of "The Weekend" and "The Weekend City Club"?

South:I thought it would be fun to have a flea market of sorts. I thought it would be fun to have it at my place (Fresh Service Head Quarters, where the event was held this time). Weekend" is mainly about clothes, so I thought it would be like an overseas market if there were sundries, vintage goods, furniture, etc. I thought it would be fun to have a restaurant. It would also be interesting to have a restaurant. But this time, I am looking forward to having a bagel shop "Hot Bagels" in Musashisakai sell shaved ice.

-Currently, the range of activities has expanded to include making items derived from the flea market "weekends. Do you have a division of roles?

Oshima:Roles are naturally divided, and I am mostly in charge of planning.

Kaneko:Yes. I don't think my role will change in the future. I will continue to propose whatever comes to my mind, and Mr. Oshima will be in charge of manufacturing. As for the promotion aspect, Mr. Nishino will be in charge.

Westfield:That's exactly why I didn't participate in "The Weekend City Club" when it started (laughs). (Laughs.) We would like to challenge various things by sharing what we want to do, without being rigidly segmented.

Kaneko:Personally, I think it's time to start doing things and things that Mr. Nishino likes. We are all attracted to things that interest Ms. Nishino, aren't we? I would like to bring out more of that.

Mr. Kaneko wearing an item from "Weekend Service," which will be sold at the "Mobile Flea Market.

-What kind of items will you be exhibiting at this year's "Mobile Flea Market"?

Kaneko:This is a cap with the "Weekend Service" logo, two T-shirts, wide nylon shorts, and a waist pouch. We also made the woven name, making this a full-fledged production. The production period was only one month...but we are grateful to the production team.

Westfield:There are also various personal items by the members!

Oshima:I am mostly vintage American stuff.

South:We will be displaying personal items, both old and not so old, including antiques, personal vintage items, and vintage clothing that we have collected as image sources. The quantity is not very large, but it will be an interesting lineup.

Ms. Oshima wearing an item from "Weekend Service," which will be sold at the "Mobile Flea Market.

-What do you hope to accomplish through this activity in the future?

Oshima:We are having fun doing this, so I hope we can do new things we want to do in a natural way when we can.

South:It would be nice if we could pursue the essential flea market fun and pleasure at our own pace.

Westfield:This is also true for "NEET," but I would like to meet various people through fashion.

Kaneko:In the future, we will plan products that are more in line with the region or location where the event is held. We will be planning products that are only available at the time of the event, and will have a more collaborative feel to them. For original "Weekend" products, we will focus more on what we want to wear and what we like. It would be nice to have a flea market with some guests and a chance to show off our personal items.

-that sounds like fun...! Would love to be a guest at "HOUYHNHNM" too..!

South:That's good! HOUYHNHNM, I think you have it.

Westfield:Let's do a Weekend Huinamu!

Kaneko:I'll think of an idea right away! When shall we do it? I'd like to do it right away.

-I'll see what I can do in the editorial office! Best regards!