--Max Pittion eyewear is already being sold in select shops around the world.

Ogara: In Tokyo, there are edgy select shops like Dover Street Market Ginza and Restear, as well as eyewear specialty shops like Cradle, Globe Specs, Blink, and Continue. They all share the same passion and mindset.

--The market is expanding globally, isn't it?

Ogara: We had a launch party at Colette in Paris, and we're planning to sell in high-end shops in California, but we won't do it all at once; we'll expand gradually. Our products aren't aimed at people who want something that's available everywhere (laughs).

Mayer: I already have a career as a musician, so I want to proceed slowly and carefully. That's why I think I'll be successful. Using my name could quickly make a big brand, but once it becomes big, it's difficult to correct course. I want to grow slowly, making adjustments.

Ogara: Because we have our own factory, we were able to experiment with various things.

Mayer: That's right. During the prototype stage, ideas came to us one after another about what we wanted to do.

--So, John, are you also involved in the design? Not like a businessman who wants to provide money.

Mayer: Of course!

Ogara: The current products were created through repeated prototyping, with the two of us tinkering with the design and specifications. We'll continue to adjust the design specifications little by little to ensure a global fit. But at the design stage, John and I want to be the ones to really focus on the product. If too many people are involved, the individuality gets diluted. We want to give shape to our commitment.

--Aside from the "Politician," which John fell in love with, what other products are in the lineup this time?

Ogara: Shelby and Newell. The Politician comes in two sizes.

--Does "politician" mean a politician?

Mayer: Yes. But it's different from the image of politicians we have today. I think of romantic politicians like President Kennedy. John F. Kennedy was like America's royal family. It's a smart, stylish image from an era when people still admired politicians.

Ogara: Japanese politicians at that time were pretty crazy, weren't they? (laughs)

Mayer: I didn't become a musician for the money. I wanted to create something real, something meaningful. I think creating something is very meaningful, something to be proud of. Of course, there are people who care about whether their work is major or sells, but I think that kind of thinking is reflected in the finished product.

Ogara: Let me show you one of my craftsmanship priorities. The gold rivets used on this frame are not just for decoration, they support the frame. It's very difficult to do this today using techniques from the 1940s. See, the rivets go all the way through the frame? This is very stylish and also makes it easy to adjust the frame. This is a major detail, but also crazy. Most eyewear these days has recessed hinges. If even one rivet goes wrong, the frame itself becomes unusable. And the rivets are 10K gold. They're softer than steel, so it's a very delicate process.

(Continued on 3/3)