So, What is NEW VINTAGE? Vol.59 "A sense of mismatch born from seriousness . Riders JKT that is not fashion.

In the 1990s, the term "vintage" was used to describe vintage clothing that did not meet the definition of "antique," but was still valuable. Nowadays, there is a movement to find new value in "new vintage," even in old clothes from the 1980s onward, which were called "regular" at the time. In this project, four vintage clothing stores with different styles propose new ways to enjoy vintage clothing. Each of them will talk about the charm of vintage clothing with their own sense of style.

This is the eighth season of this series!　So, we are restarting this series with all new stores. The 59th issue features kic©︎ of "Awesome Boy" in Harajuku.

Text_Tommy
Edit_Yosuke Ishii

kic©︎ / AWSOME BOY Owner
Vol.59_Hein Gericke/Shoei's Riders Jacket

What is the New Vintage to you, -kic©︎?

The prerequisite is that the items have disappeared from the world and are no longer seen worn on the streets or sold in stores. I think this is what we can call "new vintage.

-I see. In terms of "Awesome Boy", what kind of items would fall under this category?

One example would be items such as outdoor wear and workwear, which are made for a specific purpose with an emphasis on practicality. It is possible to take a different approach from the original context and incorporate it into fashion. Uniforms such as basketball jerseys and baseball shirts in hip-hop culture are just like that. These items have already been accepted as commonplace, but there are still things that are not yet recognized as fashion. I would like to propose solutions to fill the gaps.

-So, I'd like to introduce you to the Rider's Jacket ....... How cool is that?

I know, right? First up is Hein Gericke. This is a German motorcycle wear brand, and this line seems to be more for professional use than "Pro Sports. Since they are serious about their products, they are known for their functionality and toughness. The front chest pocket is probably for storing sunglasses or something. A smart phone would fit in the front pocket. Personally, I like the protective protectors built into the shoulders and elbows. Removing them would make it a little easier to wear, but since we are promoting a tougher wearing style that takes advantage of the inverted triangle spartan silhouette, we dared to leave them as they are. It gives the wearer a more serious gear look, and I think it also accentuates the sense of mismatch when incorporated into a fashion look.

Heingerich's Riders Jacket ¥13,200(Awesome Boy)

-By the way, what is your price zone?

This one has a simple design and costs 13,200 yen. If it has a sponsor company's logo, the price goes up dramatically. The other one is from a Japanese helmet brand, "SHOEI. It is so famous that every motorcyclist knows it, and many people may recognize it from the sticker on Kaneda's bike in the movie "Akira. The complex three-dimensional patterning, the reflective Scotchlite, the gusseted pockets at the waist, and the overdone look are unique, and it is also interesting to change the silhouette by tightening the waist belt. However, it is usually rare to wear it as a fashion item (laugh).

Shoei's Riders Jacket ¥13,200(Awesome Boy)

-Are these Japanese manufacturers also popular?

As with motorcycles, KAWASAKI and HONDA are very popular. Many of their designs are good-looking as well. In such a situation, I think it is a good idea to "dare" to incorporate brands that are favored by professionals. Even if you choose an oversized item, the length is short, so you can wear it with denim, cargo pants, work pants, etc. The silhouette is recommended to be thick. The silhouette is recommended to be thicker.

-What is the right innerwear to match?

The material itself is tough, so layering a thicker item such as a hoodie will make it difficult to move, so a T-shirt is probably the best choice. If it's too chilly, a long T-shirt would be better. Basically, it is windproof, so it can be used in three seasons for town use. There are only a few vintage clothing stores that stock this item as a fashion item, so you can enjoy the action of searching for it as well. Although it is still too early to tell, it would be a good opportunity to find an original style by looking at such interesting items, even if they are a little inconvenient, instead of settling for "down jackets in winter," as we do every year. I think it can be an opportunity to find your own original style.

kic©︎ / AWSOME BOY Owner
After gaining experience at the Tokyo-based street brand "SWAGGER," he joined "Awesome Boy," an online store that selects vintage clothing based on 90's to 00's hip-hop culture from a unique perspective, with a focus on rap TEEs, which was established by a friend. In 2015, he opened an actual shop in Uraharajuku, and in 2018, he launched a remake brand of the same name. . Currently, he deals in original remake items and vintage clothing.
Official website:www.store-awesomeboy.com
Instagram:@awesomeboy_vintage