#nonnative

JUNJI YOSHIDA PRESENTS

My life, my clothes.

HIS PRIVATE ITEM-No.01 LEATHER JACKET

I bought a Schott rider jacket because it was trendy.

--First of all, this series is a project where we'll introduce some of Atsushi Yoshida's (hereinafter referred to as Yossan) personal belongings. We're hoping to keep it lighthearted and fun, and maybe even a little bit heartwarming.

Yoshida (hereinafter Y): "Come on, stop being so casual. We're serious about sharing our thoughts on fashion with our readers."

—Oh, you seem quite motivated. That's unexpected. Well, let's go ahead and do it that way.

Y: "Yes, I will do my best with all my heart and soul, despite my shortcomings."

—So, without further ado, what will the first item be?

Y: "Yes, this leather jacket is a mirror reflecting my own fashion sense."

—Yossan, you certainly wear leather a lot in the winter. What was your first encounter with leather items?

Y: "I think I was in my third year of high school. It's a Schott rider jacket I bought at a vintage clothing store in my hometown of Fujisawa."

—You buy secondhand clothes? That's unusual. I don't really do that much these days.

I don't have that impression, so it might be a bit of a surprise.

Y: "Back then, Schott biker jackets were really popular. It wasn't so much about buying vintage clothing, but more like getting Red Wing boots or a Patagonia jacket. It was about buying a trendy item."

—I see. But Yossan's hometown is in the Fujisawa area, huh? That's surprising too.

Y: "By the way, I live in Kamakura. Back then, Fujisawa had a lot of good vintage clothing stores, and I even bought some vintage denim there. Oh yeah, speaking of denim..."

—Yossan... This time it's leather, right? (sweat)

Y: "Excuse me. Anyway, to get back to the topic, during my student days, I mostly wore vintage clothing, mainly Schott rider jackets. After joining my current company, I consciously started buying leather jackets from various brands."

An age where you can no longer enjoy the unique aging process of leather.

—What's your most cherished leather jacket? Y: "Probably the Stussy N-3B. I chose it for this photoshoot, but didn't you shoot it?"

—Oh, sorry...it was dirty and heavy so I decided not to take the picture.

Y: "Wow, there it is! That's a precious item filled with so many memories for me. How awful..."

—Well, there are plenty of other options, so that's fine, right? (sweat) Yossan's special one is a Stussy N-3B, so let's move on to the next topic!

Y: "But that's just crazy, Editor-in-Chief."

―Well, it can't be helped. There's nothing we can do about it. So, what is the appeal of leather to you, Yossan? Y: "......Well, the appeal, you see. I think leather clothes are like living things. There's a strong sense of you nurturing them yourself. They're items where you can clearly see the enjoyment of aging, where you can dye them your own color."

—That's true, leather jackets aren't something you replace every season, are they? Don't you ever throw away your old ones?

Y: "First of all, I never let go of things. Even things I bought more than 10 years ago, I wear when the time is right. The only thing I regret is that I can no longer wear them as my body shape has changed."

"The number of jackets that have become like this is increasing."

-for example?

Y: "These Prada and Dior Homme pieces are a bit much for me. Of course, I'll wear them once I've slimmed down. In that sense, I can't let them go."

You can't love people unless you treat products with love. This is the life lesson that Junji Yoshida of United Arrows Co., Ltd. holds. In this series, he specially reveals personal items that he has purchased with his own money, item by item in each issue. The first installment is a leather jacket that reveals his biased love for the product.

"Leather is the ultimate in self-satisfaction."

The leather jackets you'll be introducing today—are there a lot of them with fairly simple designs?

Y: "It's not exactly simple, is it? Leather jackets are all about ease of wear, right? So I guess I'm naturally drawn to designs like this."

Because they are clumsy, it's easy to become attached to them.

—Don't leather jackets have a lot of downsides? Like they're heavy, stiff, smelly, and prone to mold.

Y: "Leather clothing is a high-maintenance item. They're clumsy, I suppose. But that's what makes them endearing. When you put time, effort, and love into them, they become a unique piece that expresses your individuality. That's what's so interesting about them."

—What percentage of the time do you wear a leather jacket during the winter season?

Y: "I do it quite frequently. I don't ride motorcycles and I prefer taking the train, but my outerwear is mainly leather."

-What about comfort?

Y: "This Dior Homme piece was a revelation. It's so comfortable you forget it's leather. I think the pattern is exquisite."

—Isn't it cold in the middle of winter?

Y: "It's fine. Of course, I'll layer it. It provides enough warmth to wear in Tokyo."

Buying leather is nothing short of a man's dream.

—Finally, could you tell us what leather jackets mean to you as a product?

Y: "It had been pretty relaxed up until this point, but then suddenly at the end..."

That was a serious question. It's not a bad question. For me, a leather jacket is "formal attire." It's similar to the feeling of wearing a suit. It's a product that makes you stand taller and gives you a sense of formality. Yes, in that sense.

That must be his best outfit."

—So, it's like you get excited, or you get into a "Let's go!" mood, right?

Y: "Yeah, the moment you put it on, you feel more alert, so it might naturally give you a boost of energy."

—So, if I see Yossan wearing a leather jacket at a party or event, I can take it as, "Ah, he's ready for action tonight!" right?

Y: "You can't deny it, can you? Also, leather jackets

If you look at this, you might get an idea of my shopping habits. It encapsulates everything about Atsushi Yoshida's fashion perspective.

Because I’m here.”

—Since you can't make impulse purchases, you inevitably develop a discerning eye. You become more sensitive to what suits you, or rather, to what makes you feel good about it. I guess you're at the peak of your materialistic desires?

Y: "I suppose so. As my body ages, I tend to choose lighter, more comfortable outerwear, but I still try to buy at least one leather jacket each season."

Even if you order something at a trade show, it might not fit you by the time it actually arrives due to changes in your body shape, right?

Y: "Lately, it's been the same thing over and over. But I think that's okay. As long as I can face leather with sincerity, I can continue this job. In that sense, it's a man's dream. Leather is the ultimate in self-satisfaction."

—How is it popular with women?

Y: "Absolutely not. Men in suits are far more popular."