Sakaki pursues each and every item with great care. This approach is very logical and typical of a men's designer. I wonder if he has an ideal, finished product in mind.

"I don't think there's ever a finished product when it comes to making things. Even if I release something thinking it's finished, there's always something missing, or something I'd like to do differently. If that item isn't released again, it's because people have grown tired of it (laughs) or there's no demand for it. Fashion and aesthetic sense are different things that each person values. I want the clothes I make to be something that's needed in everyday life as well. I really haven't thought about fashion at all.
I don't want to promote this as fashionable or anything like that. My aesthetic sense of something that looks effortlessly beautiful, or something with a relaxed, not-too-stiff feel is fine and is my own value system.

I don't think designers need to be involved in fashion. Fashion is what the people who use the clothes do—stylists, media, wearers, etc. For that to happen, the items need to be just right. That's why I keep in mind things that are convenient and in demand."

Indeed, convenience as a product has been considered from the beginning. A variety of flashy details are on display, such as the pockets opened at the bottom of the facing of the shawl collar jacket, the 13-14 AW coat that can be gathered and pulled up, and the mountain parka that buttons up to match the classic varsity jacket.

"Isn't it great if it looks stylish and is comfortable for the wearer? However, as I mentioned earlier, I think the texture of stretch fabric doesn't suit masculinity. Sturdy, well-tailored wool slacks are ideal. And if they're comfortable to wear, that's even better."

The dogi (verb = do + wear) sweatshirt, which debuted in 14SS, is easy to wear, but it's surprisingly not a knit.

"Sweatsuits are comfortable, but they don't really look pretty. Plus, if you wear them for a long time and wash them repeatedly, they get worn out and your knees get stretched out. I hate that disposable feeling. I don't wear sweatsuits because they're comfortable, I wear them because I want to. I guess that's similar to cosplay. So I want to look nice. That's why I use cotton-linen dobby Panama fabric instead of sweatsuit material. Because it's woven, it doesn't stretch.

As a man, I think it's cool to have something that looks bad at first glance but is solid underneath. That's the way I want to appear."

Continued on 5/5, "Making True Mass Production for 2015 Spring/Summer".
Return to 3/5, "Making Gundam, Not Fashion".