Developped in conjunction with Koki, the Buddy frame from Deluxe is an hommage to 50′s mogul: the wayfarer. In fact, the S/S collection that is set to release conveys everything that is jazz, blues & Muddy Waters. While I’m eager yet unallowed to reveal photos of my trip to the Deluxe/Bedwin offices, these are little souvenir Hue kindly offered me; you’ll have to pick up the next issue of Inventory to peek behind the scenes!
Big thanks to Tsuyoshi of NexusVII for introducing me to Mr. Satoshi Suzuki owner and founder of LW. Legendary Status. Interview below taken from www.loophwheeler.co.jp
Ichigo: These are all vintage sweatshirts, right? How old are they?
Satoshi: They are all made in USA during late 40′s – mid 60′s. They still look great, don’t they?
Ichigo: That’s cool. Are they still wearable?
Satoshi: You bet. Just because they were knitted by a machine called “Loopwheel”. But they can knit only a meter of fabric per hour. I must say it’s awfully inefficient in the light of today’s technology.
Ichigo: Do they still use this machine in USA?
Satoshi: No, they don’t. Exactly speaking, they’d already scrapped Loopwheel machines in the past. Currently they use only the ones for mass production.
Ichigo: Then, where are sweatshirts of LOOPWHEELER being made?
Satoshi: They are being made here in Japan. Fabric in knitted in Wakayama prefecture.
Ichigo: I see. I wonder if I could see the whole process.
Satoshi: OK, let’s go. I will guide you through the production.
Ichigo: Nice looking town. I came here for the first time, but mountains are nearby, very much calming place.
Satoshi: This town looks a bit rustic now, but in the past, this place had been the biggest factory area in Japan for circular knitting. There are still a few factories running Loopwheel machines.
Satoshi: This is the factory of Kanekichi co. They are knitting Loopwheel fabric for us.
Ichigo: Are they winding yarn here?
Satoshi: Yes, this machine is re-winding yarn to make it suitable for knitting machine. The first stage of knitting.
Ichigo: I’ve never seen this kind of machine. Rotating very slowly…… Is this a Loopwheel?
Satoshi: That’s right. It’s rorating 24 rounds per minuite, knitting fabric. It’s so slow that actually you can count it.
Ichigo: I see, is that factor making soft fabric?
Satoshi: Being slow means no excess tension. Fabric is being made with very much relaxed yarn, making fabric with softness which comes from cotton yarn itself.
One of my favorite shops when I was in Tokyo, was hoping I would find some scraps of the Gyakusou collection…but it was long sold out. I did however find some great cottonduck workpants by Head Porter Plus which will later be photographed and showcased on an upcoming edition of I WISH THEY MADE THIS FOR GIRLS.
NSW at Head Porter Plus
Jingumae, Shibuya-ku
Tokyo 4-27-6-1F
P: 03.5772.8540
www.headporter.co.jp
I’m currently working on a few projects out in Tokyo for several media outlets. One of them includes Japanese label White Mountaineering. I had the rare opportunity to meet and take photos of head designer Aizawa and his Spring/Summer 2011 collection. While the actual photos from the shoot are to be released elsewhere in due time, here are some random flicks from the day with Thomas (International Sales) and Suzuki the Shop manager who made sure I didn’t leave empty handed…
This area is possibly the most dangerous neighborhood; financially speaking. Will post up some of my pickups sometime this week.
Without neglecting the history of the space, FIL’s newly opened Kyoto store still shows respect to the shops previous occupants by showcasing some of the traditional Kawaramachi-dori dolls.
Our second stop in Japan is Osaka. Our day was mostly occupied with some much needed retail therapy in Japan’s second most populated city…The minamihorie sector of Osaka is famous for housing some of the dopest shops including the Standard bookstore, Journal Standard, Hysteric Glamour, Supreme, SOPH, Hoods, APC & more. Definitely worth a visit.
WTAPS Agape Fragrance / WTAPS V&W Web Belt / Tokyo Marui P228 Airsoft Gun / NBHD Notepads / NBHD&WTAPS Lighters
SOPHnet
Hoods – WTAPS&NBHD
Supreme Osaka
I will also post my retail checkpoints as much as possible. Starting off strong: 45rpm.
Namiki Bldg. 1F, 7-1 Hukuromachi,
Naka-ku, Hiroshima-shi,
HIROSHIMA 730-0036
Tel : 082-541-0045
