LN-CC, a high-end select shop which operates a shop in London and on-line shop with customers from around the globe. Curating a wide variety of selections, from big maison brands to up-and-coming young brands, based on their unique vision, it is a shop which movements are constantly gathering attention. Their Head Buyer, Mr. Reece Crisp, visited Japan during the Amazon Fashion Week TOKYO 2019 A/W term.
We interviewed Mr. Reece, whom is continuously digging up new talents from a global point of view and suggesting innovative fashion, on Japanese brands, Fashion Week TOKYO, and on LN-CC also.

This time you came to Japan by invitation from JETRO, and this is your 2nd time here, right? Compared to your last visit, do you feel any changes in the streets of Tokyo or people’s fashion?

First, I would like to thank JETRO for giving me this opportunity to come to Japan.
My last visit was in 2017, at which time, I was working at Farfetch, and came to Japan to visit “IFF Magic Japan” . I feel a difference in trend compared to 2 years ago, but the image that I have always had of Tokyo, of being the “pioneers of street fashion” , as represented by brands such as UNDERCOVER, COMME des GARCONS, sacai, has not changed largely. Whether I am in Tokyo or London, I always check Instagram to watch trends of the town and people. Depending upon the city, the information I wish to reach differs so there is a difference in how I filter, but I check Tokyo as a place to gain inspiration.

Please tell us the shops or spots you’ve been to during this visit.

I’ve visited many shops so I can’t mention them all, but a few of my favorite are Waremoko, GARDEN, and GR8. Every shop I visited was interesting, each in its own way, but I felt all the shops have a superb balance of domestic and international brands, and a good point of view in their selections. Their use of accessories is impressive, and I felt they are skillful in their presentation of functional products. I of course did some personal shopping (laugh). I bought a shoulder bag at Nanamica, and a pair of vintage Levi’s at BONUM.

What is your impression of your first Tokyo fashion week, in comparison to fashion weeks of other cities?

I felt Tokyo fashion week is mainly domestic brands and up-and-coming brands, making it a place to dig up new talents. I think it is closer to London fashion week rather than Paris, which all brands from around the world aim for, and is centered around big brands.

How are the Japanese brands carried by LN-CC doing? And please tell us the attractions of Japanese brands, if any.

LN-CC always carries around 120 – 130 brands, among which, 6 – 10 are changed every season. We presently carry approximately 10 Japanese brands, including sulvam, Yohji Yamamoto, PORTER, CLAMP. At the moment, it is mainly men’s brands, but we are also interested in women’s brands, such as HYKE and beautiful people. Unlike big maisons which stand firm on their ways, in Japanese brands, the border-line is vague in a good way, and I have the impression that they are willing to challenge new things, willing to go beyond conventional frameworks. While there are brands such as AURALEE with a clean, afternoon-like image, at the same time on the other hand, there are brands such as FACETASM with a dark, night-like image coexisting together, and I think this co-existence of a two-sidedness is very characteristic of the Japanese fashion scene. I have the impression that each Japanese brand has its own unique DNA and offers a wide range of expressions from their unique point of view. Furthermore, the quality of Japanese brands is high, and I feel they have a strong craftsmanship.