Starting women's wear
Hello. This is Miura from THIRD PLACE.
Do you all remember the brand BELPER?
Last November, we released a special-order MA-1 from THIRD PLACE.
At that time, we only offered a limited menu, but this season, we will start offering inline products.
First, a brief introduction to the brand BELPER.
The reason THIRD PLACE started carrying BELPER in the first place is that Nishiwaki and I have known the designer, Mr. Ozaki, for a long time.
Nishiwaki is a friend. I had been doing business with the brand before I came to THIRD PLACE, so it's been about four years now.
Since it was a brand primarily for women, I think it was a very unusual project for the brand when I first requested a special order for men's sizes. (laughs)
Even then, Mr. Ozaki readily accepted with a "Sounds interesting!" and even came all the way from Tokyo on the day of the release, for which I am incredibly grateful.
When I consulted with him at the last exhibition, saying that I wanted to feature BELPER prominently at THIRD PLACE next, he was delighted, saying, "I'm so happy you'll display them in such a wonderful space!" We were also very pleased.
I always feel bad for making sudden and unreasonable demands, but I'm grateful to Mr. Ozaki for always putting his all into it. Thank you very much.
And now, finally, the time has come to deliver BELPER to all of you this weekend.
Whether you're familiar with the brand or just discovering it, we look forward to working with you.
Now, to get to the main topic, but before we talk about the products, I'd like you to keep one more piece of preliminary information in mind.
Each season, BELPER's collection features a film as its theme, and the clothing incorporates inspiration from the story, world view, and fashion of that work.
The 26AW collection was created based on the 2021 American film "C'MON C'MON" directed by Mike Mills.
Since I also like movies, I always look forward to seeing how the changing themes each season are translated into clothing.
The lead actor is Joaquin Phoenix.
Johnny, a radio journalist played by Joaquin, lives alone in New York. He suddenly finds himself living with his 9-year-old nephew, Jesse, whom he has to look after.
As they travel together for work, the two clash but also connect, forming an irreplaceable bond in this heartwarming human drama.
The all-monochrome footage was impressive, and it felt very strange to me since I don't usually watch monochrome films, but it was great to see subtle movements and expressions more clearly than usual.
"Expressing objectivity, subjectivity, essence, and the misunderstandings and contingencies that arise between them."
Through this work, designer Ozaki expresses what he felt through clothing.
This collection explores the collapse of what seemed perfect and the beauty found in what seems unstable.
It is said to have been created through repeated experimentation, facing the characteristics of the materials.
Just as the protagonist Johnny was moved by his conversations with innocent children, the designer translates his own real-life experiences and current feelings into products.
This is also one of my favorite films, and I'm thinking of rewatching it now. I hope you'll all give it a watch too.
I've talked a lot, but let's take a look at the collection now.
“LAMB LEATHER JACKET”
COL: BLACK
SIZE: F
¥160,000 +TAX
“ROUNDED PLAID SHIRT”
COL: BLUE PLAID / BLACK GINGAM
SIZE: 1
¥33,000 +TAX
“REGULAR DENIM RINSE”
COL: INDIGO
SIZE: 1
¥40,000 +TAX
“REGULAR DENIM FADE”
COL: FADE INDIGO
SIZE: 1
¥49,000 +TAX
The highlight of this season is the leather jacket.
As a store, we are strongly pushing leather this season, so we selected this item to offer it to women as well.
A stylish and elegant piece made from lamb leather.
At first glance, it looks simple, but its most distinctive feature is the sleeve切り替え (switching/paneling). The upper part of the double-layered sleeve utilizes the raw edge of the leather, creating a novel design with a seemingly random cut and curved shape, isn't it?
The contrast between simplicity and boldness makes this a uniquely BELPER piece, and this distinctive twist adds a great accent.
I believe this somewhat strange feeling is the charm of BELPER, and it appears very fresh to us who have dealt with relatively long-standing authentic clothing.
It has a way of breaking down preconceived notions about clothing, like "general" or "normal," and always offers new discoveries.
I apologize for the abstract explanation, but if you look at these details, you will gradually grasp the brand's worldview.
And this leather jacket is reportedly the brand's first release, so I'm delighted to be able to handle it at such a precious time, and I'd like to recommend it to those who are looking for something a little different.
The photos you just saw briefly are of items selected by THIRD PLACE this season. Besides leather, we have mainly prepared casual items we like, such as shirts and denim.
Those who are familiar with BELPER's clothes might have noticed, but honestly, I think our selection is quite unlike typical BELPER items. (laughs)
While BELPER is a brand supported by fans for its often glamorous and decorative, more fashionable and edgy styles, we always propose basic clothing.
We are particular about the unseen aspects of design, such as materials, production background, the creators' thoughts, and roots. So, it might seem like we are making contrasting proposals, but Mr. Ozaki's approach to craftsmanship and his interesting perspective are very close to ours, and we often resonate with the core ideas.
While plain items, or so-called "normal" clothes, might be a minority for BELPER, THIRD PLACE has focused on BELPER's "stripped-down beauty" in our selection this time.
Authentic denim and shirts take on unique designs or individual quirks through BELPER's perspective, becoming distinctive details.
We hope to offer these as unique pieces to everyone.
Perhaps other stores wouldn't explain it this way, but we want to stay true to ourselves and cherish these items that become brand standards as a new foundation.
These will be available in-store from Saturday, September 12th.
For those far away, they will also be released on the online store from 7 PM on the same day, depending on stock availability.
We look forward to many people seeing them.