Vintage eyewear like this would be great! This is the embodiment of
O.J. GLOBE SPECS OPTICAL Co.
I heard that this is your first collaboration.
Takagi:（I guess it all started when we talked at an exhibition at Old Joe's. We were both connected with Steven Alan's director, Masahiko Ito. We were both connected with Masahiko Ito-san, the director of Steven Alan, and I told him that I had been seeing Okada-san a lot lately, and he said, "I think it would be really interesting if you two create something together! I thought it would be fun if the two of us created something together.
Okada:That's for sure. Globespecs" has been collaborating with "UNITED ARROWS" since about 2002 or 2003. Mr. Ito was in charge at that time. Since then, I have consulted with him on every occasion.
Old Joe" has been making eyeglasses up until now?
Takagi:Instead of so-called collaborations, we searched for our own production backgrounds, stuck to classic designs from our favorite eras, and made our own originals.
I heard that there are a total of five types of eyewear from "O.J. GLOBE SPECS OPTICAL Co.
Okada:Both Mr. Takagi and I love vintage and antiques, so we don't just burn them in. We follow the details and combine them with things that were not there in the past. We carefully shaped each piece into what we thought would be a good vintage item! I carefully shaped each piece into what I thought would be a great vintage item. The brand name "Old Joe GLOBE SPECS OPTICAL Co." is also the name of a fictitious company that would have handled such vintage eyewear.
What was Mr. Takagi's request?
Takagi:I left the guidelines to Mr. Okada and told him about small details in places. I consider him a specialist in glasses, so I did not request too many things.
Okada:We would ask for opinions in the final stages of finalizing the project.
From the top, "DAVID" (¥32,000+tax), which combines the arched high bridge seen in French vintage glasses from the 1950s and 60s and the P-3 lens shape seen in American-made glasses from the 30s and 40s. The brow type "HENRY" (¥37,000+tax) was inspired by the glasses of a man in a photo taken in front of Shimbashi station in the late 50's. The square type "CHRIS" (¥36,000+tax) has an arch-shaped bridge, which is seen in American metal glasses of the 20's. The square type "DAVID" (¥32,000+tax) has an arch-shaped bridge, which is seen in American metal glasses of the 20's. STEVE" (¥36,000+TAX) is a round type with an arched bridge. MIKE" (¥32,000+TAX) is a hybrid model combining the arched high bridge seen in French vintage glasses and the pentagonal lens shape seen in old American glasses.
I heard that you also make original cases and eyeglass wipes.
Okada:The case is vintage inspired, with an unexpected color combination inside. The eyeglass wipes will be made by incorporating the graphics used on "Old Joe" shirts. When we actually sell the glasses, we adjust the size and change the lenses to fit the customer's needs, so if possible, we would love to have you visit our store.
The current location of each.
It hasn't been long since the Kyoto store opened, but what would you do if you were invited or had the opportunity to open a new store in a different location in the future?
Okada:The reason why it has been 20 years since I opened a store in the first place is because I myself do not want to open too many stores. Before starting Globespecs, I worked for a major eyeglass company, and I understood what is possible because of the large scale and many stores, and at the same time, what becomes more difficult as the company grows larger. One of the reasons why we do not increase the number of stores is that it is difficult to control the quality of optometry and maintenance. After 21 years of running "Globespecs", I have realized what we can protect and what is possible because we are small in scale and have a small number of stores. I have been asked by some people to try it not only in Japan but also overseas, but I haven't thought about it at this point.
How about "Old Joe"?
Takagi:We have no plans to increase the number. We want to keep our manufacturing within our own sphere of influence. However, as a clothing store, we would like to change the way the store, customer service, and services are provided in the Corona Disaster, depending on the situation.
What exactly did you do?
Takagi:I would like to serve customers myself. I want to make and sell my own products. It's like going back to the basics. The other day, I held a pattern order event for suits at a local dealer, and I thought it was a good idea because I was able to communicate with the customers and had a lot of fun when I actually stood in the store and talked with them. So I think it would be a good idea to remodel the store, as long as it doesn't become a honeypot (laughs).
Are there any changes you are thinking of making?
Okada:I spent the entire time at the first company thinking about how things should be done and what kind of things would be better, but at the second company, I was working at the head office. However, at the second company, I worked at the head office and was away from the field negotiating for overseas business and in charge of corporate planning. But at the second company, I was away from the front lines because I was in charge of overseas business negotiations and corporate planning. In this respect, now that I am also on-site, I am able to feed back customer reactions to the brand. It is important to continue to be in the field based on safety, security, and trust.
I felt there was no difference in temperature between Mr. Takagi and NUTS-san, even though they are more than one year older than Mr. Okada. What is your impression of each other?
Okada:Mr. Takagi's pursuit of things is unbelievable. I am the type of person who, when I am interested in something, will go to any length to find out how it works, but in Mr. Takagi's case, I think his accumulated knowledge and senses are very impressive.
NUTS, your sense of how to create something like this, be it in writing or drawing, is unbelievably amazing (laughs). I don't think the technique of making something old even cooler is something that can ever be imitated, and it makes me want to take a peek inside his head to see what is going on.
Takagi:The first thing they have in common is that they are both pioneers. Painter is the one who made sign painting popular in Japan, and at a time when no one was looking at classic types or signboards, he discovered them as design elements and delved into them, and now he is a provider to Supreme and many other famous brands. No one else can replace him. There is no one else who can replace him. Also, I don't know if I should mention this yet, but you are going to hold a solo exhibition under a different name from "NUTS ART WORKS," right?
NUTS:The sign is under the name "NUTS ART WORKS," but I am thinking of doing a different proposal under my real name (Naoto Hinai).
Takagi:Just the other day, I went to see the work when I heard it was finished, and it was already outrageous (laughs). I can't help but look forward to the exhibition!
So it's not client work, but personal work.
NUTS:I have been making billboards as advertising art for decades, but that is not the same approach as that of satire or making people laugh, which is seen in contemporary art. I have two works ready for a solo exhibition, and I will continue to focus on creating artwork. As for the timing and location of the exhibition, I would honestly like to leave that up to someone else (laughs). Art is a completely different industry, a world where connections are very important, and I don't want to do too much research on my own because I might be influenced in a strange way.
Takagi:We are not in the fashion industry or the billboard industry, so our approach is completely different.
Yes, that's for sure. Please let us interview him when you decide to hold a solo exhibition! Going back to the subject, how do you see Okada-san?
Takagi:Nowadays, the world of antique and vintage eyewear has become well established in Japan, but it is amazing to think that we have been dealing in this field for more than 20 years, when no one had even noticed it yet. And yet, while doing both geeky and pop things, they also provide optometry and other services as an optician. I'm attracted to people who can't be replaced.
How about NUTS?
NUTS:Yusuke's pursuit of what he likes is so great that I honestly can't keep up with him (laughs). But I often receive knowledgeable hints from him. I trust him.
I think it is really cool that Mr. Okada is an older man who is making a living doing what he loves, and that his younger siblings are also growing up well. He may look glamorous at first glance, but that is only a small percentage of his success, and he is successful because of the hard work of those who are not visible. It is pure joy to be able to get to know someone like Mr. Okada who is older than you, as well as people of your generation.
Okada:I am glad to hear you say so. I can't lose yet either (laughs).
