WELCOME-RAIN denim
Hello. This is Nishiwaki from THIRD PLACE.
It's already July, and it's been a while since my last blog update.
In late June, I was in Paris, doing early buying for the 27SS season. This trip was full of wonderful encounters. I had dinner with friends from international brands that THIRD PLACE carries, went to parties, and cheered for the World Cup. It was a very fulfilling time.
However, the highest temperature on the day I arrived in Paris was 42°C... I was hit by a scorching heat I'd never experienced even in Japan.... Most places in Paris don't have air conditioning, which was really tough....
The THIRD PLACE silk knit, SATISFY T-shirt, refomed, and HIKING shorts I brought were perfect. I often tell everyone to "dress comfortably for summer," and I realized I wasn't wrong.
Now, it's July and I'm back in the store after a long time. All the summer items I purchased this season are on display. I experienced mid-summer in Paris ahead of schedule, so I was planning to buy more summer clothes, but some of the items I was personally eyeing sold out, and many others only have one left, leaving me with fewer choices.... Thank you, everyone (tears).
(I managed to get 3 items!)
This year feels cooler than usual for this time of year, but once the rainy season ends, summer will really kick in. So, if you haven't prepared your summer wardrobe yet, please come and choose some items!
Now, let's get to the main topic.
This weekend, starting Friday, July 10th, we will be re-selling WELCOME-RAIN denim.
We've been introducing this denim since the store opened, but I haven't featured it on the blog yet. Those who have visited the store already know it, but for us, it's an indispensable denim at THIRD PLACE.
Today, I'd like to introduce it to those who don't own it yet, and even those who are seeing it for the first time.
First, WELCOME-RAIN is a Japanese brand based in Tokyo.
I first encountered this denim over three years ago. When I first saw WELCOME-RAIN's collection (not just denim), there was a folded pair of jeans on a chair in the corner. I was curious, so I unfolded them, and I'll never forget the feeling of finding the denim I had always dreamed of.
It was so good that I immediately asked the brand, "I want it now!" (laughs), and by chance, they had some in stock, so they sent me all of it.
Many of my long-time customers are also denim lovers, so I wanted them to see it right away. When they came, they all said, "This is amazing!!!" in unison, and I remember it selling out in no time.
Since then, I never imagined that this denim would be loved by so many people for so long.
At first, it only came in indigo, and I myself own three pairs of indigo.
The first pair I bought, I wore more than 5 days a week, and I washed them without hesitation, wearing them roughly. To my surprise, they started to age much faster than I expected. (This speed is due to my job where I wear clothes all the time, so I think most people will be fine).
At one point, I liked the fading, but when I saw a new pair, I realized that the dark one was also good, and gradually I wanted to have separate pairs for washing and not washing.
By the way, this is how I use them:
When wearing white or gray T-shirts or sweatshirts alone, I choose the aged indigo.
When pairing with silk clothing or cashmere knits in winter, I opt for the darker indigo.
I think I have a "Jobs-like" mindset when it comes to enjoying my favorite things thoroughly.
The brand told me that I sold and wore the most in Japan. (laughs)
It's just genuinely good, and I continued to wear it because I love it. I'm very happy that the awareness of this denim has spread to so many people as a result.
When I talked about starting THIRD PLACE, the brand told me, "This denim is now Nishiwaki's model number," and essentially gave me the model number as a gift.
Thanks to their generous offer, I can continue to introduce it to everyone here at THIRD PLACE, even after changing stores.
I like denim.
As I've said many times before, this WELCOME-RAIN is the definition and symbol of my denim.
So, what makes it different from other denim?
The most distinctive feature is the "fabric." The 11.5oz fabric, roughly woven with thick yarn, is incredibly soft, like "sweatpants."
Normally, denim is woven densely, making it stiff, but this denim achieves its softness by being loosely woven. Unlike denim, which was originally made tough for workers, like Levi's, I believe this denim is designed for comfortable everyday wear.
To go into more detail, in addition to the soft fabric, it has a deep rise and a well-defined gusset, making it easy to get on and off a bicycle, for example. The front pockets are also large enough to comfortably hold a smartphone, which is a nice touch.
I believe it's denim packed with modern advantages, so even vintage enthusiasts often find it worth choosing new. It has also gained popularity among fashion lovers who usually dislike denim, with people of all genders and ages saying, "I'd wear these."
The reason we keep wearing them is the excellent silhouette. With pleats at the front and a gentle taper towards the hem, they offer a loose fit that initially appears straight. There's an exquisite balance—not too wide, not too narrow.
The waist is intentionally set large, allowing for a relaxed fit around the thighs when cinched with a belt, which beautifully conceals the leg lines.
And the hem width is excellent; it works with everything from leather shoes to sneakers. For the current season, pairing them with sandals also looks great.
Not having to choose shoes means you don't have to choose a styling, which creates an unconscious sense of security and becomes a reason to wear them every day.
Initially, there was only indigo, but we ourselves wanted other colors, so the next proposal we prepared for the opening of THIRD PLACE was "IVORY," which isn't pure white but more like beige.
This was also incredibly well-received, and we're very grateful!
I'm truly glad that we were able to propose it at a comfortable temperature, where even those who usually shy away from light-colored pants could say, "I can wear these!"
The exquisite cream-like color blends well with the skin even for adults, and it pairs perfectly with the softness of the fabric.
Simply adding this one pair updates your existing wardrobe, and it's so easy to match that I think many people wear it the most now.
And this time, we've prepared the long-awaited new color, black!!
It was a highly requested color, but it took a while to realize, so thank you for your patience.
The black I propose is "not too strong, not too heavy." It's also not a faded black, and I think it blends well with our casual style.
Moreover, it has a relaxed feel to the fabric, so I think it's a surprisingly rare balance when you look for it, and I'm very fond of it.
Recently, I've been choosing more chic items, and it will be an important piece for the upcoming 26AW season, so please get your hands on the black.
WELCOME-RAIN denim can be worn year-round.
I've put together some styles I want to wear now.
JERZEES×THIRD PLACE "Pack T-Shirt"
MEIAS for THIRD PLACE "SILK KNIT POLO SHIRTS"
These are actual summer stylings with items I own myself.
They are items currently available in the store that convey the summer feel of THIRD PLACE, so I would be happy if you could try them on with the denim.
All the items we have proposed so far connect together.
Available in three sizes.
I am 168cm tall and wear size 2, the middle size.
For women and slim men, size 1. For those around 170-175cm, size 2. For those 175cm or taller, size 3. If you already own a pair, buying the same size should be fine!
And I also asked Kubono to style it in a way that he'd like to wear now.
MEIAS for THIRD PLACE "SILK CREW NECK PO"
COMESANDGOES "WASHI KNIT FLAT HAT(BLACK)"
He enjoys fashion with a different vibe than me, but he's also very fond of them, saying, "This denim is amazing, after all."
Kubono is also 167cm tall and wears size 2.
For my part, I've put WELCOME-RAIN denim into words again, and I feel it's very "me" to continue offering the same items for a long time, while adding new suggestions.
They are ordinary, but they have character. I like things like that.
I'm planning to upload a blog post about WELCOME-RAIN denim from Miura's perspective this weekend, July 11th (Saturday). Please look forward to it!!
WELCOME-RAIN for THIRD PLACE
"5Pocket Denim"
Col: IVORY / INDIGO / BLACK
Size: 1 / 2 / 3
¥26,000+TAX
WELCOME-RAIN denim will be available for purchase starting Friday, July 10th at 1:00 PM, with priority given to in-store sales.
Then, it will be available on the online store starting Sunday, July 12th at 8:00 PM. Please note that if sizes are out of stock or sold out in-store, they will not be available online.
There are currently no plans for resale within the year, so please seize this opportunity to get yours.
Lastly, I'd like to announce this.
As some of you may have already noticed, I've created this page at the bottom of THIRD PLACE's top screen.
Moving forward, we plan to deepen the THIRD PLACE community and distribute exclusive announcements here for those who always follow us. (They won't be too frequent, so it shouldn't be annoying. lol)
Simply enter your email address to complete your registration.
We'd be delighted if you could register as a member!
I look forward to seeing many of you this weekend!