5351POUR LES HOMMES ET LES FEMMES

Designer

Men’s：Kazuhisa Komura / Women’s：Rei Takahashi

Category

Men’s & Women’s / Clothing, Shoes, Bags, Hats, Accessories and others

Brand information / About the designer

―What inspired you to become a fashion designer? Describe developments leading up to the brand launch.

Mr.Komura：What drove me to aspire to become a fashion designer was my yearning for clothing with distinctive characteristics. I learned a lot as an assistant designer for 5351, and here I am now.

Mr.Takahashi：My father ran a clothing company, so fashion has always been something close to me. This background was what pushed me into my career as a designer.

 

―What is the brand’s concept? What do you want to communicate through fashion designing?

Mr.Komura：5351 is based on three concepts: ROCK, CHIC, and MODE. With monotonic colors and a mix of dress and leather clothes, 5351 offers a sharp and mature feel for men.

Mr.Takahashi：Our aim is to develop a brand for women with mature tastes and who have steadfast styles or values. We are always looking to boost femininity by maintaining both mannish and feminine feels, and by pursuing the perfect cut and styling.

 

―What is your source of inspiration in creating fashion? What is your process of developing a design concept?

Mr.Komura：Our creation process is always in unison with current topics that are around us, like art, music, or fashion. We develop our concept by constantly giving thought to offering a new feel of masculinity.
Mr.Takahashi：I’m often inspired by movies, both old and new.

 

―Who are your current stockists (areas, retail formats, etc.)? Describe the typical followers of your brand.

Mr.Komura：We mainly distribute to our flagship stores in Daikanyama, Umeda Osaka, or Fukuoka, and also to fashion brand-oriented shopping centers. The brand marked its 25th anniversary, and on top of our longtime fans, we’re starting to receive support from men and women in their 30s to 40s too.
I think many of the customers that I meet at pre-order sessions are engaged in creative types of jobs, including apparel, restaurant business, or advertising.

Mr.Takahashi：Daikanyama flagship store, Nagoya Parco, NU Chayamachi, MINT Kobe, Fukuoka flagship store
People who make their purchase based on their attitude or taste, instead of age or the trend.
The silhouette of our clothing seems to please people and turn them into our fans.

 

―Which brands, designers, styles and cultures have had the most impact on your fashion designing, and why?

Mr.Komura：I have been influenced the most from the 1990s in terms of creating my work. The brands that participated in fashion shows back in those days, their designers, the “rock” style (i.e. styles that have their own philosophy), and the club culture – these arenas are primarily based on the good-old styles, but entail an aggressive energy to convert these well-established modes into a new style.

Mr.Takahashi：Mr. Yohji Yamamoto, Ms. Rei Kawakubo
Everything that I expereineced at Paris, where I spent the first half of my 20s.

 

About 2015-16 A/W collection

―Why have you chosen Tokyo (or MBFWT) as the venue for presenting your collection?

In view of the brand’s 25th anniversary, 5351 is participating in this event to revisit the original style of the brand’s creation, and to introduce next-generation fashion. We hope that the Tokyo Collection will be more exciting than ever, and prove that Tokyo is Asia’s hub of fashion.

 

―What is the concept / image for your brand’s 2015-16 A/W season?

“Monochrome Classic.” We will be presenting new styles based on fashion from the 1920s-30s.

 

―What is your vision for your show / installation?

We will offer a modern, new style (atmosphere) of Tokyo by presenting our fashion (clothing) in an artistic venue.

 

Future

―What are your brand’s future outlook and goal?

As a Tokyo-based Japanese brand, 5351 will strive to expand globally into Asia.

 

About TOKYO

―What does Tokyo represent for you?

Mr.Komura：I’m one of the many Tokyo fans. I think the city is a sophisticated and high-quality metropolis that draws attention from around the world.

Mr.Takahashi：A city that I grew up in. A base for my life.

 

―Which parts / sites of Tokyo do you like most? Why?

Mr.Komura： Eastern Tokyo, where I often visit for my job, is one of my favorite places. I’m excited to see the future of this area – it’s ever-changing while retaining its idiosyncratic characters.

Mr.Takahashi：Kinuta park in Setagaya ward. This park is filled with nature, and allows me to enjoy each season.

 

―What are your favorite / recommended shops (of any genres, e.g. fashion stores, homeware stores, food services), facilities and sites?

Mr.Komura： Tokyo has many excellent art galleries and museums.

Mr.Takahashi：Daikanyama Tsutaya Books; the National Art Center, Tokyo; Menya Nukaji in Shibuya; Sangenjaya Cinema (unfortunately this venue closed down last year)