NEAT｜Daishi Nishino｜TROUSERS
Q:What was your impression when you heard about "THE CO-OP" project?
A:When I went to the U.S., I also went to various universities and vocational schools and bought T-shirts, hoodies, and caps at co-ops, so I thought this was just the Japanese version of that in a fashionable way. It was rather exciting!
Q:What were your school years like? In particular, how did you encounter fashion, art, and culture?
A:Anyway, whenever I had time, I would go to secondhand clothing stores. I bought a lot of stuff from the store clerks, who I admired and who taught me a lot of things (laughs). That's how I got hooked on America.
Q:Please explain the items you have created for this project.
A:For this special order item, we made the silhouette of "NEAT's" standard basic 2-in-1 tuck model a little straighter to make it easier to wear. The fabrics are basic wool gabas in black and gray with the hope that they will be used by students for a long time.
Q:If you were to teach something to students today, what comes to mind?
A:Anyway, I want them to buy a variety of clothes and try on different outfits. If you don't buy clothes, you won't be able to create your own style.
Q:Please give a message to students who are new to your brand at THE CO-OP.
A:Anyway, please put on your "NEAT" and enjoy fashion.
PROFILE
Born in Awaji Island in 1983. While working as an elementary school teacher, she attended and graduated from Vantan Design Institute. After working as a sales representative for a long-established American brand, he became a press representative. After retiring, he launched the trousers-only brand "NEAT" while working in PR for various brands. Currently, he also runs a press office "Nishinoya" and is in charge of PR for more than 20 brands in Japan and abroad.
R.ALAGAN｜Reimi Takahashi｜RING
Q:What was your impression when you heard about "THE CO-OP" project?
A:I was genuinely excited to see if the atmosphere was like purchasing at an American university.
Q:What were your school years like? In particular, how did you encounter fashion, art, and culture?
A:I was a general art major at a college in Los Angeles. I still remember the final project for a printmaking class called "Suicide Cut," which was so hard that it drove me crazy. I bought a lot of paints at the store for my oil painting class, I modeled for my American Korean friend who was a photography major, my black classmate's friend braided braid for fun, and I socialized with friends of many different races.
I could easily visit historical buildings and museums in the city, listen to the history and chatter of antiques from sellers at flea markets, and buy vintage clothes at vintage stores in La Brea and Silver Lake. I felt like I was naturally exposed to art and culture during such an intense and enjoyable student life.
Q:Please explain the items you have created for this project.
A:Since the wears had an American casual feel, we thought it would be a nice balance to have something modern on the hand. The school signet ring is a classic element with a modern logo for a contemporary finish. The flip side of the ring adds a play on the sense of a secret society, so that the solid side is usually worn, but when meeting IAC members, the logo side is shown so that they can identify each other's IDs.
Q:If you were to teach something to students today, what comes to mind?
A:I guess "think outside the box and get lost in what you love."
Q:Please give a message to students who are new to your brand at THE CO-OP.
A:We believe that jewelry is the most intimate item in the fashion category. It is a piece of jewelry made by skilled craftsmen with their excellent skills and heart. I hope you will wear it and cherish it like a good luck charm for a long time.
PROFILE
Born in Gunma Prefecture to a Taiwanese mother and Japanese father, he grew up with nature and was strongly influenced by the ethnic sensibility he developed when he spent much of his childhood in Taiwan and by modernism and vintage when he moved to Los Angeles as an adolescent. 2016 - Established R.ALAGAN. He works with Japanese artisans to create uncompromising jewelry.
