PROFILE
Born in 1973 in Mitaka City, Tokyo . At the age of 18, he entered the world of apparel, working for several companies and stores as a sales representative, buyer, and conceptor before opening the select shop "Reshop" in Aoyama as a director in 2015. In 2015, he opened the select store "Reshop" in Aoyama as a director. He continues to propose the value of reliable products, from quality to background, and his fan base continues to grow. His latest special order with "Outdoor Products," which is also mentioned in this section, has just been released. The 46-year-old's greatest interest at the moment is traveling to Alaska.
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. I wanted to go back to the starting point and create something new.
. I would like to ask you about your past and present, both public and private, but first, I am curious about your personal bag, so can you tell me about it first?
Keiji Kaneko (Kaneko):Ah , yes. When did I buy this? . I found it on hand when I came across it (laughs). (laughs). It's an "Outdoor Products" item from the '80s that I bought at a thrift store.
The bright red duffel bag is Kaneko's personal belongings.
. It is a simple construction with no lining, and is still in use today.
What about this duffel bag stuck out to Kaneko-san?
Kaneko:I wonder what it is. ...... In terms of function, there are plenty of good bags out there, but I think the simple way of using a bag in this time period - just throwing stuff in, carrying it around, and taking it in and out - is an idea that is hard to find today. Also, I thought the American look we have in mind, with the messy sewing, was cute. Even now, when I find something like this, I tend to buy it.
Outdoor Products" has been ordered separately by "Reshop" several times in the past few years, hasn't it?
Kaneko:Yes, that's right. The very first one was a big-size version of the standard 452U, which was made in Japan, and the next one was the opposite, smaller. I once had the opportunity to visit the Outdoor Products factory in Los Angeles. I said, "I want to see it! I said, "I'd like to see it! And after seeing the factory in person, I was inspired to try something like this. To be honest, the quality of the Japanese-made products was more perfect, but I couldn't forget the messiness of the American-made products. I wanted to go back to my roots, or rather, I wanted to go back to that point and create something new.
What is the balance between newness and antiquity in your mind?
Kaneko:I'm interested in both. I like gear-like things, but I'm always looking for something retro or nostalgic, and I'm also looking for a mix of both, incorporating current technology. Rather than just the latest and greatest, nostalgia and functionality are key. I think I like things that feel like they have been touched by human hands. I like bicycles, and I think it's the same for me. I use carbon, but the steel parts are also preserved. The handlebars are carbon, but the frame is chromoly. The weight of the bike is not more or less than zero, and people might think, "What is he trying to do?
I see you like bicycles , too. What kind of bike do you have now?
Kaneko:In style, it is cyclocross.
Cyclocross is more of a European style of cycling, but as an American cyclocross fan, did you have any reservations about that?
Kaneko:Hmmm, I still like both. However, I'm completely American. The 501® I bought when I was in junior high school was my original experience with American denim. I had been wearing Japanese denim until then, but I guess I felt the difference between American and Japanese denim when I wore American-made 501® at that time. American denim had a certain charm to it. From there, I was hooked. Europe started with England. When I was in high school, the mods of the 1960s and the American style of the 1950s were introduced in popular magazines such as "Boon" and "Asayan. I was totally hooked on mods, bought a Vespa, and went to a store in Shimokitazawa that specialized in UK products.
. He is a sensitive boy, for the most part (laughs).
Kaneko:That's right (laughs). I was influenced by all kinds of things like that, and I think I went through most of the main styles by the time I was 20. I was very much influenced by culture-derived clothing, so I didn't go through too much designer stuff. Looking back, I guess I haven't really changed much since then.
