It’s not easy to pin down the multifaceted life and style of Tokyo, but one brand seems to have encompassed all of Japanese culture in one must-have garment.
Tokyo is often described as the largest, wealthiest and most futuristic city on earth. A key factor to its successful development lies in the empowerment of its citizens to directly share their thoughts and give feedback to the city. Of course it’s about being smart enough to collect this information and transform it into new ideas and opportunities.
Tokyo is not only known for its fast-paced lifestyle, technology and cityscape, but also its strong design and forward-looking fashion scene. Even though it is place that is at the forefront of technology, a deep respect for tradition and culture still permeates every aspect of society. This successful relationship between tradition and innovation is an interesting and important aspect for our fast-moving society, in which we’re constantly seeking to reinvent ourselves. It shows how both our history and everyday experiences are important, especially when it comes to generating new and improved ideas as we move towards the new age.
Another aspect of Japanese creativity is the idea of volume. The design of a kimono is a good example, which from a European perspective was considered loose-fitting and even shapeless. But if you were to suggest this to a Tokyo native, the response would be that the gap between the garment and the body is a rich space possessing an infinite energy. This then becomes a touching reminder that everything around us, even our interaction with other people, is of great value and energy.
Inspired? You’re not the only one – the Swedish fashion brand Elvine travelled to Tokyo for their AW16 collection to feel the pulse of the city. Five Tokyo creatives came together with them to share their everyday experiences – all aspects of their lives in 24 hours. The result is the Tokyo City Jacket. Driven by this local point of view, it has been designed with the aim of improving daily life in the city.
The design has become a metaphor of the city of contrasts, where ancient traditions live side by side with modernity. It’s no accident that one side of this reversible jacket is crafted in black wool: if you’ve ever worked in Japan you’ll know that appearance is key in the business world, so you’re well advised to stick to dark colours. Turn it inside out and a more casual, lightweight look is revealed, with a print inspired by traditional kimono patterns and quilting that references sashiko embroidery, the centuries-old practice of decorative stitching that was used to reinforce or repair workwear. And why so many pockets? Well, if you live in Tokyo, most of your waking hours will be spent away from home, which means you need to be prepared for both daylight and night-time activities and carry all those essentials with you. And if you keep that concept of “outdoor lifestyle” in mind, a rain-, wind- and dirt-proof fabric finally makes sense for the urban jungle.
One thing is for sure, we can always learn from each other’s experiences. The reason behind the back pocket is a good example of this, especially for all of us about to face another long cold winter. It’s designed to hold a Hokkairo, a disposable body warmer used by many Tokyo citizens. And yet another very Japanese thing about this jacket is that it comes with a furoshiki, a traditional wrapping cloth used to transport clothes or other belongings. It’s one of those things you’ve never heard about but immediately crave once you know about it.
The Forumist decided to head to Tokyo and take a closer look at the Tokyo City Jacket in its “natural environment” and hunt down the locals adding their own style to it. We got a sneak peak into their lifestyles and, of course, their pockets.
24 HOURS IN TOKYO
INRU
The time you wake up. “It usually depends on what time I go to sleep, but recently I have been trying to sleep early and wake up early. So around 8am.” The first thing you do. “Smoke cigarettes and listen to music.” Breakfast.”Milk, coffee, toast.” Morning routine. “Smoke, drink coffee and music. These days I listen to Michael Jackson’s Ben, Hurricane Dorothy by Hosono Haruomi, Sensitive Plant by Yula Kasp. It usually changes every three days.” Dress code for work. “Depends on my mood, my own style. I like to wear darker clothes, I never wear white. Spring and summer colours don’t suit me. It’s quite hard to describe my own style, I don’t follow trends. I like vintage clothes from the 1960s, ’70s, ’80s.” Can’t leave the house without… “Earphones and phone, purse (with money in it, of course), cigarettes and lighter. Lip balm and black eyeliner, tissues and candy.” How do you move around the city. Train. During the day, I usually… “It depends on the days and my mood. I hang out with older people more. I walk around random places. I recommend Sendagaya.” Lunch. “I try to cook. Sometimes I eat out.” The three things you like most about Tokyo. “It’s got a lot of good restaurants and venues to visit – you never get bored of this city. The people are polite and the city is clean, even though it’s big and packed with people.” The three things you don’t like about Tokyo. “People are always in rush. It’s not done to show too much emotion. And there are too many rules to follow, and people would rather not break the rules.” After work I like to… “Go to my favourite bar, Bar Track, or a cafe near my place called Shien.” Dress code after work. “Comfy clothes. I don’t like to wear clothes when I’m at home. Just shorts.” Dinner. “I cook or eat out. I love Chinese food.” Bedtime ritual. “Hot bath, music and stretch.” What do you dream about. “What I can’t do. I wish I would not care too much.” A “Tokyo day” in three words. “Chaos, fashion, foreign.”
NODOKA
The time you wake up. “About 10am.” The first thing you do. “Brush my teeth.” Breakfast. “Bananas.” Morning routine. “Going online and doing my emails.” Dress code for work. “Comfortable clothes. I wear clothes that I can get dressed in easily. I like streetwear.” Can’t leave the house without… “A red lipstick, a diary and a wallet (*_*)” How do you move around the city? “Train.” Lunch. “I usually grab something with friends. I like ramen noodles – there are so many good ramen restaurants in Tokyo.” The three things you like most about Tokyo. “Convenience, friends and shopping.” The three things you don’t like about Tokyo. “It’s so crowded, it’s dirtier than suburban areas and there are many strange people.” After work I like to… “Hang out at friends’ places, and I often go to Shibuya.” Dress code after work. “Chic.” Dinner “I grab something with friends.” Bedtime ritual “I try to write a diary before going to bed.” What do you dream about? “About being in a realistic world, meeting people I don’t know.” Describe a “Tokyo day” in three words “Fun, crowded and (a little bit) stressed.”
elvine.se; Instagram: @elvineclothing. Follow for the full story of the Tokyo City Jacket Edition and watch The Adventures of Elvine and Mänd unfold, with illustrations by Dennis Eriksson
Credits:
Words by Anna Åhrén
Photography by Motohiko Hasui
Styling by Koji Oyamada
Special thanks to Elvine
Fashion Credits:
All available at Elvine.com
3. Elvine Ulrika AOP Oriental Print
6-7. Model’s own