Inside the Mind of Simeon Farrar

At WearEurope 2012 Tokyo Fashion Daily had the opportunity to meet many talented and creative designers and to view their wears.  One of these designers hailing from London, England is Simeon Farrar and this is what he had to say.

TFD. How many times have you been to Japan?

SF. Three times including each time in Tokyo, once in Kyoto for holiday, and this time I visited Nagoya for three days for a promotion at Villa Rouge.

TFD. What are your thoughts on Japan's fashion scene,

SF. I am very interested in it, which says a lot, as I am not the type of person to be interested in fashion scenes.  Whenever I visit Japan I become interested.  London is becoming more like NY and lots of countries are just following each other's trends whereas Japan is more pluarlilisrtic and individual.

TFD. How is the fashion scene in London compared to Japan?

SF. Japan is definitely more creative especially in terms of men's. Men's wear gets much more priority and space in Japan. Japan gives more importance to men's wear.

TFS. How many doors do you currently have in Japan?

SF. Almost fifteen including Hokkaido, Osaka, Nagoya, with most of them in Tokyo.

TFD. What are your plans for expansion?

SF. To expand more. It is a rewarding market to do business in, not just financially but in terms of I like doing business here.

TFD. In terms of expansion what are your plans?

SFD. I do not want distribution here as I have in other countries, as I like personally taking care of my business in Japan.  I am very protective of my relationships in Japan and loyal to my buyers who first bought from me eight years ago at London Fashion Week.  One of the buyers (from Villa Rouge) has bought from every season and never missed one in sixteen seasons. 

TFD. What do you think about artist collaborations in Japanese fashion?

SF.  Japan has a very unique culture which is exclusive to Japan which in turn gives Japan an edge over other markets when it comes to artistic collaborations in fashion?

TFD. Is there a particular style you have seen in Japan that you like?

SF. The style of pularlism. The style of no style.

TFD. Any parting words for Japan and your customers here?

SF. I guess thank you. Thank you for the good times and long may they continue.

You can see and meet Simeon Farrar this Saturday 31 March from 2pm until 6pm at Johnbull Private Labo Harajuku.

To find the closest store near you to buy Simeon's wears please visit here.

You can also visit Villa Rouge in Nagoya at 

〒460-0008 愛知県名古屋市中区栄5-18-30 1F

"Made to Measure" by Gucci for Tokyo

Starting today Gucci will offer its Japanese male customers the opportunity to have their Gucci suit, dress shirt or shoes “Made to Measure”.

The “Made to Measure” services will launch in Tokyo, Japan as well as eleven other global cities including Milan, Rome, Paris, London, New York, Beverly Hills, Hong Kong and Beijing.

The “Made to Measure” offerings will have over eighty fabrics including cashmere, satin, silk, wool and velvet and can be used in suits, dress shirts, and other apparel.  Suit fabrics will come in blue, brown and grey.  Gucci shoes can also be “Made to Measure” though of course not with fabrics but with a variety of colors, widths and materials.

“Made to Measure” is by appointment only so contact your Gucci flagship in Tokyo today and make your appointment.

Information & Photo Gucci & Gucci.com

WeAreEurope 2012

Today is the official start to WeAreEurope 2012.  Produced by EU Gateway in Japan through the EU Commission, WeAreEurope last four days and introduces 39 European fashion houses to Japan. During the introductions these European fashion houses have the opportunity to show their merchandise during fashion shows, meet with potential buyers and partners, and learn more about Japan's competitive fashion and luxury market.


I had the opportunity this morning to present to the European fashion houses that make up WeAreEurope 2012 and met many talented European fashion designers.  I expect the Japanese consumer will get to meet them and see their designs in a select shop in Japan soon.

Sayonara Daimaru Lalaport Yokohama

Continuing the trend of closures, mergers and acquisitions J. Front Retailing will close Daimaru Lalaport Yokohama in January 2013, which has not posted an operating profit since March 2007 when it first opened.

For the fiscal year ending 2011 Daimaru Lalaport Yokohama, operated by Daimaru Matsuzakaya posted sales of 3.7 billion yen and loss in operating profit of 121 million yen.

Information J. Front Retailing & Nikkei

Arai Sara Fall/Winter 2012/13 JFW

Last evening was the Arai Sara Fall/Winter collection show at the Mercedes-Benz Tokyo Fashion Week.

The show started with a Japanese flutist than followed by models wearing elegant and muted-colored flowing dresses, revealing one-pieces, sometimes sheer skirts as well as pants and tops that were beautifully structured and cut not to contour to the body but to freely flow away from it. During breaks in the collection the flutist was joined by a cellist and pianist all playing peaceful and serene music which only accented the mood of the show.

Arai Sara was raised in Beijing and graduated from Fashion College Sakuragaoka. She showed her first collection in China and then moved to Tokyo where she began her own label.

Information Tokyo Fashion Daily

Takashimaya Group Operating Profit Up

Even with same-store sales consistently falling, Takashimaya was able to increase their group operating profit for the year ending 29 February 2012.

Takashimaya's group operating profit rose 16% for the year to 21 billion yen, 1 billion higher than originally forecasted.

Now if only Takashimaya can get their same-sales to increase...

Information Takashimaya Co.

Japan Department Store Sales Down in February

For the second consecutive month same-store sales at Japanese Department Stores declined.

February same-store sales dropped 0.4% on the year to just over 433 billion yen.

Luxury jewelry and timepieces increased 3.3% while sales of apparel decreased 1% continuing their decade-old slide.

In Tokyo, February same-stores sales also declined for the second consecutive month, falling 1.8% to just under 107 billion yen.

Information Japan Department Stores Association

Uniqlo Fever in Ginza

This past Friday 1,000 people waited in line to become customers of the newly renewed Ginza Uniqlo.

At twelve floors and 5,000 meters this is the largest Uniqlo store in the world and boasts the full collection of men's, women's, and children's wear as well as UU, the collaboration between Uniqlo and Jun Takahashi from Undercover. Besides offering apparel and accessories the new Ginza Uniqlo also has certified and licensed child-care providers to watch and entertain the kids while mom and dad shop. And if that is not enough the over 600 shop staff can also communicate in six different languages including Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, French and Spanish.

Fast Retailing is already forecasting 10 billion yen in sales for first year at the new Ginza Uniqlo which will go a long way towards their goal of 5 trillion yen by 2020.

Next up for Fast Retailing is a new Uniqlo Flagship in Shinjuku slated to open this fall.

Information Fast Retailing Co.

Don't Call Him a Rennaisance Man He's Just Glen

Yesterday Tokyo Fashion Daily had the fun opportunity of speaking with Glen Onodera from Caffe Il Solito in Ginza.  (Writers note - some of the grammar may seem strange though this is just Glen's colorful nature).

TFD. You've been called a musician, filmmaker, muse, style icon (to some), and a businessman whose business is coffee. So, really, who are you?

GO. I'm all these things and more. I constantly try to expand. That is why I do so many things so I won't be categorized.  Though these can all be categorized into art but I am much more than that, I am a Rennaisance man.

TFD. Tell me about your current plans and going-ons.

GO. My current plan is to expand people's perception of coffee and to build a community centered around coffee.

TFD. How are you going about that?

GO. Build my cafe empire in Tokyo.  Hook people on coffee and get them while they are young, but I will settle for old folks too.  Basically I will take whatever I can get, I need to make money.

Interview break - Glen pours us each a glass of single-malt scotch.

TFD. As you do so many things you must have many influences, what influences you?

GO. I'm influenced by everything around me, sub-consciously by people I suppose but mainly by everyday things.

TFD. What is your personal style and style-wise what or who are you influenced by?

GO. I like to think I have a homeless-style. If I had to dub my style I would have to call it the "motherless-child", which rings true as I never really had a mother and no one to dress me or tell me how to put clothes on or take them off for that matter. Which leads me back to the homeless style which is quite layered - that is my style as I never actually took anything off and I just keep putting things on.

TFD. Where do you acquire your pieces?

GO. I buy one piece of clothing once every six years, because I hate shopping but I appreciate fashion.  Most of my clothes come from friend's closets, the street, and occasionally from shops.

TFD. In those rare instances you shop where do you shop?

GO. The shops I do go to are K-Mart where I buy my Dickies.  I like to go to my friend's shops to support them. In Japan I sometimes shop at Minority Rev in Tokyo, as well as the Gap for my basic white and black t-shirts; they are affordable and good quality.

TFD. Do you think you are influenced by style or a style-influencer?

GO. I am style-influencer. I am a critic of fashion. Everyone is different and has their own style and should be comfortable with who they are and how they dress and present themselves.

TFD. Tell me more about your next project, a fashion cafe?

GO. You could call it a fashion cafe but it's more of a collaboration between me and jewelry designer Dan Tomimatsu. He wanted a place to showcase his jewelry designs and he came to me with the idea.  We will both own our individual parts and will partner sometimes with other artists.

TFD. Where is the cafe going to be located and when will it open?

GO. The cafe will be located in Ebisu and the date is TBD. We are ready and are just securing the spot.

TFD. Any parting thoughts for my readers?

GO. I would like to say to everyone stop caring about what everyone is wearing. I will take care of my style and you take care of your style.

You can try some of Ginza's best coffee and share in Glen's style philosophy at Caffe Il Solito at Chuo-Ku, Ginza 6-11-10 in the basement. Also check out Glen's music experimentalism at Oji Hall behind Mitsukoshi in Ginza on 30 March between 7-9pm.

Isabel Murant to Open Tokyo Flagship

Isabel Murant has big plans for Japan. And those plans include opening up a stand-alone flagship store in Tokyo by the end of 2012. With her second line ÇI*M.È already being sold in seven locations in Japan including Barneys, Restir and Isetan Isabel Murant has been enjoying strong sales in Japan and globally and now has her eyes fixed on expanding in Japan and the Asia market where she will open a total of three flagships stores; one in Tokyo and the other two in Hong Kong and Seoul, all by the end of this year. As Isabel Murant's second line ÇI*M.È is enjoying much success in Japan the questions begs will she launch her first line in the new Tokyo flagship store? Information Isabel Murant & WWD

Skechers' Ambitious Plans

In an industry that is monopolized by one company (ABC Mart) Skechers will try to do what many performance and lifestyle footwear companies have desired and few have acheived, establish their own retail business independent of third-party distrisbution. Already active in Japan through third-party distribution Skechers will launch thier full-line of women's, men's and children's footwear this year with thier fall/winter 2012 collection. Within the next five years look to Skechers to increase their business in Japan by 50% through the opening of retail doors and their partnership with Osaka-based SSK for domestic distribution. Do you think Skechers has what it takes to break into the retail market and succeed where others have failed? Information Skechers USA & WWD

Interview with Nobu from Minority Rev

Last week Tokyo Fashion Daily had the opportunity to sit down with Fashion Buyer Nobu Akiyoshi from Fukuoka-based Minority Rev.  During our sit dowdown we spoke about Minority Rev, the future of Japanese designers and what influences Nobu's buying style.

TFD: How long have you been working at Minority Rev and what do you do here?

NA: I have been working here for thirteen years and am responsible for the Ginza store including the buying, merchandising, VMD, inventory control and everything else.

TFD: Thirteen years is a long time, what keeps you inspired?

NA: Keeping the fashion fresh and relevant.

TFD: What is your buying style for Minority Rev?

NA: Minority Rev is not a select shop, we are select piece shop, we only buy pieces that are unique and not part of the main collection line and you would not find everywhere else.  Each piece is hand-selected as opposed to buying a full line. 

TFD: So each piece is hand selected for Minority Rev.  What does this mean to the customer?

NA: Any piece you buy at Minority Rev you will not be able to find anywhere else in Tokyo and you can feel safe knowing you will not see anyone else in Tokyo wearing the same piece.

TFD: What kind of brands do you buy for the store?

NA: I buy several pieces from different brands like Lanvin, Balenciaga, YSL as well as European artisan brands like Bergfable and Japanese brands.

TFD: How many Minority Rev shops are there in Japan?

NA: There are currently three shops; two in Fukuoka that carry both men's and women's apparel and accessories and this one in Ginza which carries men's apparel and accessories.

TFD: Are there any plans for expansion?

NA: No, not at this time, except maybe to carry some women's items in the Ginza store.

TFD: In the past Japanese designers almost alway had to go abroad and gain commercial success before they became popular and successful in Japan, how do you think this has changed and will change in the future?

NA: More and more Japanese designers are now gaining success and popularity here in Japan and are choosing to go abroad instead of having to go abroad.  Japanese designers are becoming more confident and at the same time the "made in Japan" branding is also become quite famous.

TFD: When Japanese designers go abroad to work or start a brand what is their favorite location?

NA: New York.  It is definitely more Japanese style.

TFD: Is there anything you would like to add?

NA: No.

What Nobu did not say in words he showed with his passion for Minority Rev and the pieces he hand selects.

To checkout Minority Rev and pick up some truly unique fashion pieces vist Nobu at International Arcade Daiichi-Arcade, 1-7-23 Uchisaiwai-chou, Chiydoa-ku, Tokyo.

Also checkout Minority Rev and other shops at International Arcade on every first Friday where you can view the latest collections and collaborations while having a beer, a glass of wine and the company of some truly creative and uniquely fashionable people.

Shimamura Up in February

Same-store sales at Shimamura increased 1% in February while operating profit for the year increased 10% to about 43 billion yen, beating last year by 1.5 billion yen.

Overall sales at Shimamura for the year also increased 6% to about 470 billion yen.

Information Shimamura Co.

Uniqlo Up in February

Fast Retailing reported sames-store sales at their Uniqlo brand stores increased 1.2% in February, while same-store customers decreased 2.2%.

February was the third consecutive month of increased same-store sales for Uniqlo.

Information Fast Retailing Co.

Japan's February Department Stores Up...Mostly

Same-store sales at Japanese Department stores in February were up for all the major chains except Takashimaya.

Leading the way in department sales was Sogo & Seibu with a 2% increase in sales, followed by Daimaru Matsuzakaya with a sales increase of 1.2%. Next was Isetan Mitsukoshi reporting a lower than expected increase of 0.2% followed by Hankyu Hanshin with a 1% increase in sales. The only negative same-store sales report came from Takashimaya which has recently been struggling with sales.

Driving sales in February were outerwear, winter apparel, jewelry and designer products.

Information Japan Department Stores Association