In the 1990s, the term "vintage" was used to describe vintage clothing that did not meet the definition of "antique," but still had value, as opposed to "antique" clothing that was 100 years old. Nowadays, there is a movement to find new value in "new vintage," even in old clothes from the 1980s onward, which used to be called "regular" vintage clothes. In this project, four vintage clothing stores with different styles propose new ways to enjoy vintage clothing. Each of them will talk about the charm of vintage clothing with their own sense of style.
This is the 8th season of this Series! . So, we are restarting with all the stores being replaced. The 62nd issue is Sato-san's second tour of HIMSELF in Koenji.
Text_Tommy
Edit_Yosuke Ishii
Tomoki Sato / Director, HIMSELF
Vol.62_Snowboard Jacket of Proline
-What are the new vintage items you will be introducing this time?
I've been thinking about it a lot, and I thought I'd introduce some of the snowboard clothing from the 1980s and early 1990s that we've been actively purchasing recently. In recent years, vintage tech gear such as Oakley's has become popular, and these items can be said to have appeared in the early days.
I found that it was in the mid-1980s that Burton, now a leading brand in the snowboarding world, developed gear that could be used on the slopes and established a mass production system. The 1990s saw an explosive boom in snowboarding, so it was the eve of the snowboarding boom.
Yes, it is. However, compared to outdoor wear of the same period, the materials used are not GORE-TEX® or other high-performance materials, but are basically ordinary nylon. I have the impression that there are many items that simply focus on good-looking, rather than on functionality. This is a US brand, but you can find interesting snowboarding wear from the Euro zone as well.
Proline snowboard jacket ¥16,500 (Himself)
-The tag is labeled "PROLine. . I have never seen this brand before, but at any rate, I can tell that it has a "good look.
This is exactly what I mean! I think this is a New Vintage item that redefines existing items with a new sense of value, in the sense that it can be enjoyed and appreciated purely as an object, without relying on the name value of the brand.
Do you see a lot of snowboard clothing from this era? Snowboarding wear from this era?
Frankly speaking, there are so many of them out there that it's difficult to pick the best ones. Therefore, we carefully select cool items with panel-switching, flashy designs, and unique details. This one has a black base with rasta colors and a random patchwork of tribal and geometric patterns, making a big impact. The double design of the neck, sleeves, and hem is a detail to prevent snow from entering the garment and to protect it from the cold, but isn't it simply an interesting design? The originality of the design is also an attraction, and the best part is that it is not about functionality, but simply a piece of clothing that makes you excited when you wear it!
. -It's like a festival costume or a sports uniform.
Yes, it is. Not only snowboarders, but skateboarders as well. People who do skateboarding. And, as a matter of course, these cool people should wear the latest and hottest clothes, and I like the feeling that "the clothes don't enhance the wearer" as was the case back then. It is not "cool no matter who wears it," but "cool because cool people wear it. By the way, although it is padded, I think it can be worn just fine in seasons other than summer.
-. I see. So how would you suggest "himself" to dress?
The bottoms can be anything, but how about, for example, plain gray sweatpants and the usual sneakers on the feet? As you can see, the design is very strong, so neutralize it with simple items, and go for high-brand sunglasses such as Gucci's or Chrome Hearts' in a heavy silver color. I like this sense of disorder or chaos.
-The appeal of this type of clothing is that there is no "right" way to dress, which allows for a high degree of freedom.
We buy in the U.S., and even among dealers in the U.S., the market for this genre is not well defined. . But that is why we can offer them through the "Himself" filter. Please wear it as you like!
Tomoki Sato / Director, HIMSELF
At the age of 19, he joined the famous "DUFF VINTAGE" store in Omiya. He then moved to Tokyo and worked at "SLAT" in Koenji and as a design support for a domestic brand before making a comeback to Koenji. In 2021, the store moved to a new location and changed its name to HIMSELF. The concept of the store is to let the customers (=HIMSELF) enjoy "how the customers themselves take charge of where the used clothes go" through the store, and also to enjoy the fun of building the store itself (=HIMSELF).
Official website:thebase.page.link/nb84
Instagram:@himself_tokyo
