yutori . life-size 20s, honing their sensibility in an environment where art is visible.
I was curious to see what the office of an apparel company that is gaining momentum right now is like, so I visited "Yutori". The company was founded in 2018 by Takanobu Kataishi, who runs the vintage clothing-focused "vintage girls" community, and started selling vintage clothing through e-commerce. The company is a rising star in the industry and has recently announced its listing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth.
Kataishi-san is only 29 years old, and the average age of the people who work at Yutori is 24. The average age of the staff at Yutori is 24 years old, which is the same age range as the users of the brands they sell. The office of "Utori" is located in Shimokitazawa, a trend-setting area where people of the same age gather. The office is located in Shimokitazawa, a trend-setting area where people of the same age gather and where the town's unique culture is deeply rooted, making it easy for us to sense the atmosphere of the times.
When we visited the office, we found that not much had been done to the interior. I thought that the roughness of the bare concrete material, which is used as it is, gives the space a powerful and colorful atmosphere that is uniquely ours," Kataishi said. The desks and chairs used by the employees are office furniture that is more practical than it looks. I personally like designer furniture, but I don't think it's necessary for people our age. Instead, it is more important that we all work together to raise the company to new heights," says Kataishi, who prioritizes the growth of the company.
The artwork on the wall stands out in the office. This is a reflection of Mr. Kataishi's wish for his employees to work in an environment where they can always see art, and to hone their sensibilities. This is a work by GUCCI MAZE, a graphic designer. It is a large work, approximately 3 meters wide, and has a great impact.
. and works by Meta Flower, a sculptor and rapper. His woodwork is inspired by biblical words and is a perfect fit for Utori, which has a number of street brands that incorporate messages into their designs. , the texture of the wood looks great against the inorganic concrete walls.
. On the left is Kataishi, who was painted for Egami Koshi's project. . On the right is a work by Hidetaka Suzuki. Although these two artists are active around the world, they are not concerned with the name value of the works they display in their offices. What is most important to them is that their works touch the heartstrings and move people.
This is a work created by the UTRI brand "Genzai" in collaboration with "Hysteric Glamour". Tetsuya Nagato, art director of Genzai, collaged archival designs from Hysteric Glamour and had them made into paintings in a forgery village in China. The idea and approach are unique.
The desks and chairs used by employees are designed for ease of use, but they are particular about the meeting space where people from outside the company also visit. The sofa and table here are from the mid-century era. The retro feel matches the atmosphere of the walls , giving the space a sense of richness.
Herman Miller's Eames shell chairs come in a wide variety of models and colors. The pop coloring blends well with the artwork.
Next to the desk of Yasuyuki Murayama, designer of "Flagstaff," is a large number of personal magazines from the 1990s to the recent past, which serve as reference material. From street magazines to lifestyle magazines, they are a valuable source of information for the 20-something staff of Utori. The rugged shelves are unified with Italian-made industrial shelving purchased at Pacific Furniture Service. . They match the bare concrete interior.
This is a rest area where meetings are prohibited. It is decorated with works by "Genzai" x "Hysteric Glamour" and Yukino Yamanaka's works. Staff members are said to eat and nap here. Stuffed toys, snacks, and manga are placed here, giving a sense of youthfulness to the age group.
The office of "yutori," which is growing at a breakneck pace, is friendly and inviting. I want a space where I can lie down and relax," says Kataishi. An environment where people can work as they are is ideal.
