You have to believe in what you do and what you can do.
Set-In is not a BEAMS brand, but a wholesale brand carried by various select stores, isn't it? What is your goal there?
Arai:Since the brand was originally born out of a "thing" concept, I thought it would be better to do it in a different way than the conventional way. If we tried to do it at BEAMS, it would be too much like a "dirty" brand, for better or for worse. That is why we started as a wholesale brand.
There are many select stores in Harajuku, such as TOXGO, that have unique characteristics.
Arai:At first, I started with stores that I had a relationship with (laughs). (Laughs.) I wanted to see the process of growth within my reach. I also wanted to see the process of growth within my own sphere of influence. I wanted to carefully nurture the brand, rather than just suddenly opening it in a variety of stores. Since I had gone to the trouble of creating the brand, I wanted to take good care of it (laughs).
Do you feel that you are getting a good response?
Arai:Various people came to the exhibition and responded that it looked interesting, but I don't know. ...... We have just launched our first season, so I think it is just the beginning. It is both fashion and tennis wear. It would be nice if we could be both.
I felt that the combination of tennis and fashion was a very smooth mix.
Arai:The tennis courts and the city are very close. You don't have to drive for hours to get there. I can go to the court as soon as I feel like it. It's in the city.
I see. It is true that tennis is an urban sport.
Arai:That's right. So don't bother changing into your wear. You can't walk around town in soccer spikes, but you can walk around town wearing "Stan Smiths. I think tennis and fashion are very close in that sense.
We have only just begun, but I would like to know what your goals are for the future.
Arai:I want to promote fashion and tennis at the same time. Ultimately, I would like to create a tennis academy and establish a brand without making clothes. However, it will take time to get to that point, so in the next phase, I plan to strengthen the gear part, such as shoes and racquets.
I heard that you provided the junior players with mobile clothes.
Arai:We supported Nao Satoh, the winner of the National High School Tennis Tournament held in 2023, and Shunya Takekata's "US Open Jr." We provided support for their travel uniforms. Since they had to wear their contracted brand during the tournament, we provided them with "set-in" uniforms to wear in New York as their travel uniforms. Rinao won second place in the doubles competition at that tournament.
That's great. Such activities are of great value to the brand, aren't they?
Arai:I was extremely happy. I am going to do my best in the area of such support.
It gives meaning and persuasiveness to the phrase "only Mr. Arai can do it.
Arai:What I want to do has not changed since I was in the eighth grade. Including the way I dress. The other day, I came across a photo taken in 1994 from my parents' house, and I thought to myself, "I want to dress like that now! I was wearing the same outfit I was wearing back then, and I thought, "I want to wear that outfit now! I wanted to dress like that now! I am gradually getting more and more opportunities to find answers in my own way, and I believe that I have no choice but to believe in what I do and what I can do. I am going to do my best with my core so that it will be conveyed well.
