MONTHLY CCC SESSION] Extra Edition -The History of the Brand through Archived T

City Country City" is an anonymous brand that does not disclose its designer team, but has been steadily increasing its presence. In this Series, we interview creators who have been close friends of the brand since its inception to find out what the brand is really like.

This time, as an extra edition, we introduce archived T-shirts from the past. The cultural aroma wafting from the many masterpieces that have been released in the past. What stories are contained in them? We will give you a thorough explanation.

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No.01: Brand Launch Tee (2021)
The history of the brand began here.

The T-shirt announcing the launch of the brand in 2021 was a simple one with the original logo printed on the chest. The sales announcement was made entirely on social networking sites, and the number of stores that carried the brand was extremely limited, leading many people to take an interest in this mysterious brand. The only hint that we can give is the use of ONEITA's body. Many people must have smelled the scent of the 90's backstreets in this approach, including the way it was announced. However, there is no way to know what kind of brand they are based on that information...

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No.02: Music Tee (2021,2022)
The item suggests a musical context, not a fashion context.

If the sight of these T-shirts has you on the edge of your seat, you're probably a music connoisseur. This item boldly samples the "Loft Classics" jackets played at "The Loft," a party hosted by David Mancuso, who had a great influence on New York club culture. The items on the left are the brand's originals, while the middle and right are the brand's original items. The items on the left are the brand's originals, while the middle and right items were created by a London designer with whom the brand has a relationship. If you go back to "City Country City's" Instagram page, you can find out who that designer is. And you will get a strange sense of satisfaction.

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No.03: sacai Collaboration Tee (2023)
Did the view of Shibuya overlap with the view of Chicago?

The release of items in a musical context has given birth to collaborations with unexpected brands. The collaboration with "sacai" was a big surprise to the fashion scene, with the release of a T-shirt sampling a flyer from a rave held in Chicago in the 1980s, a coach jacket, a parka, and other accessories. Needless to say, a party to celebrate the launch was held at "Sleepless Play Lion" in Shibuya, and the place was packed with people. One of the party attendees commented, "The view of Shibuya from the window behind the DJ booth overlapped with the graphics on this T-shirt.

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No.04: Dry Tee For Runner's Item
Connection to the running scene.

After fashion and music, next comes sports. While only cotton T-shirts are released inline, dry T-shirts are released irregularly as another side project. On the right is a special item produced only for personal use. The middle is a dry T-shirt designed for the year 2022, which will be released irregularly exclusively at BEAMS. The design team members have taken this opportunity to start running, and they seem to be inspired by running.

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No. 05: The Apartment, Marmot Collaboration Tee (2023)
A simple yet impactful piece.

The capsule collection with "marmot" was released last year. The triple collaboration T-shirt with "The Apartment," which held a pop-up event for the collection, sold out in the blink of an eye despite its simple design with only the logos of the three companies printed on it. The unlikely combination of the three brands has created an impactful finish. The capsule collection was an opportunity for "City Country City" to deepen its relationship with "Marmot," and the two companies have been building a close relationship, including the release of the second collaboration item in March of this year. We can look forward to more collaboration with City Country City in the future.

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No.06: RANA-MUSICA RECORD STORE 2nd Anniversary Tee (2023)
A rare relationship built by music.

This special T-shirt, produced to commemorate the second anniversary of the RANA-MUSICA RECORD STORE in Shimokitazawa, was created in collaboration with "ISNESS MUSIC". The store's owner, Mr. Nakahara, is a person who has gained experience as a buyer at numerous record stores and has honed his aesthetic sense. He has been in close contact with both brands for a long time, leading to this collaboration. According to him, "I think there are only a few accounts that can bring these two brands together. For the story behind the collaboration, please refer to the article in this Series.VOL.04If you have not seen it, please check it out, as it is discussed in detail in the following section.

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No.07: Restaurant Tee (2022,2024)
Collaboration with restaurants with a more intense story.

Speaking of collaboration stories, there was also this oddity. This item is a collaboration between "La Verde," which once had a store on Tonchan-dori in Harajuku and now continues to operate in Uchisaiwaicho, and "Gyoza no Ousama" in Asakusa. Both are famous restaurants that have gripped the stomachs of the design team and never let go. It is not unusual to develop creations with fashion and music as the story, but collaborating with restaurants that have a connection with the brand makes the story stand out even more. Why did we pick these two restaurants? It is not difficult to imagine that the stories behind them are filled with various episodes. At Gyoza no Ousama, the brand is worn as staff uniforms and is available for purchase exclusively at the restaurant.

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No.08: Thelonious Monk Tee (2023)
Why Thelonious Monk?

City Country City" has a strong impression of house music, but jazz is an inescapable part of the history of black music, especially if you are influenced by "The Loft. This is especially true if you are influenced by "The Loft. This T-shirt depicts Thelonious Monk, a giant of a jazz pianist who has established himself as a solitary figure in the field of jazz. While there are many great jazzmen, the brand's approach to music is conveyed in the fact that he is featured on this T-shirt. His compassionate playing is never catchy, but it has a melody that tugs at the heartstrings.

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No.09: WAR Tee (2024)
This is where the brand name comes from.

What is the origin of "City Country City"? Many people may be asking themselves such a question. The 13-minute long song begins with a bluesy intro and develops into a number of different songs that conjure up many different scenes in your head. This is also one of the aforementioned "Loft Classics" and is still talked about as a masterpiece even today. This is a coveted item for music lovers, boldly printed with the help of the nomadic vintage clothing shop "weber.

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No.10: New Tee (2024)
Two pieces to add to your wardrobe this summer.

T-shirt left ¥7,700, right ¥8,800

And here are the new T-shirts for this season. One sampling the title logo of the movie "Countryman" produced by Bob Marley, the reggae god born in Jamaica, and the other is a tribute to the jacket of the famous album "Keep On Movin'" by the British soul unit SOUL II SOUL. Both items are based on the cover of "City Country City. Both items are samples of the same style, and both are unique to "City Country City". The uniqueness of the graphics, which can be enjoyed by those who know the original story as well as those who don't, is something that is unique to this brand. We recommend adding these items to your shopping list as this summer's mainstay.

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Photo_Kazunobu Yamada
Text_Yuichiro Tsuji