Yoshiko Chris-Webb is a model, wife, and mother, and even produces fashion and cafes, making her an inspiration to many women. At KOE HOUSE (opening November 16th), a new store format for global strategic brand KOE (2-9-19 Jiyugaoka, Meguro-ku, Tokyo), she will be producing the opening event, developing collaborative products, and even overseeing the editing of a free paper. We caught up with Yoshiko Chris-Webb, whose range of activities continues to expand. --KOE HOUSE will be launching a women's and unisex collaborative line, "BEYOND BASICS," designed from scratch by Yoshiko Chris-Webb. What was your motivation for creating these items? Chris-Webb Yoshiko (hereafter, Chris-Webb): My motto is, "Life is too short to wear boring clothes." While high-quality, long-lasting basics are great, Beyond Basics offers playful, adventurous clothing at a slightly lower price point. It's about going beyond the basics.

--Chris Webb, you've collaborated with numerous apparel brands. This time, for the first time, you're offering clothes that the whole family can wear, including kids. Was there anything different about it?

Chris Webb: Up until now, I've focused on what I want to wear and what I like, but this time, my main focus was on creating clothes that people can truly enjoy wearing. To be honest, I often borrow my husband's clothes, and I like many men's brands, so to me, there's no distinction between men and women. Overseas, many brands display men's and women's items interchangeably, and the department store Selfridges in London even has an entire floor dedicated to unisex clothing. I thought this trend would catch on in Japan as well.

--With this collaboration, you've also taken on the title of "lifestyle coordinator." So, what are the things you pay particular attention to in your own lifestyle? Chris Webb: I have children, so eco and organic foods are a natural part of my daily life. I grew up with a mother who didn't tolerate fast food or processed foods, so eco-friendly trends are actually quite unfamiliar to me. This time, I decided to collaborate with KOE because their brand vision of fair supply chains and eco-friendliness resonated with me.

--You're a mother of two, after all. Are your children a big part of your life? Chris Webb: Your life revolves around your children, of course. We create spaces in our house so that they can come over and play freely, and we believe that things are fragile, so we never tell them, "They can't touch this," or "They can't do that."

--You were a very generous parent. Chris Webb: From a young age, I made sure to let my children use breakable dishes because that was an early way for them to learn that they can break if they are handled roughly. 」。 English: For example, if your child spills water, you can wipe it up together, saying, "We cleaned up together, and it looks cleaner now."

--It seems like you're able to share a variety of lifestyle-related information based on your own experiences in daily life and raising children. Is there anything you'd like to produce in the future?

Chris Webb: This is my first time designing children's clothes, so I'd like to hold an event involving children, and also try selecting picture books. When I buy a picture book for my child, I write the date I bought it and what my child was doing that day on the front or back cover. I'd like to convey that memory of the day they picked up that book.

--That's a great idea. When did you come up with it?

Chris Webb: This is something my mother has always done. I'd also like to try reading aloud. I'm from Osaka, so I'd be happy to speak in Osaka dialect, and "Hell's Soubee" (※) would be perfect (laughs).

--I'd love to hear that (laughs)! By the way, Chris Webb, you're a mother, a working woman, and a wife. Is there anything you do to spend your time alone, or to change your mood?

Chris Webb: I'm hooked on fitness! I hadn't been going because I was busy, but I decided that I had to make my own time, so I've been going for the past two months.

--I'm surprised you hadn't been going before.

Chris Webb: I was doing it my own way, but when I showed my workout routine to a friend who's a personal trainer, it turns out I was training in a completely wrong way...I almost had the legs of a keirin racer (laughs). I had a false sense of confidence that I could do it on my own, but I'd like to get proper training from a professional and continue with it in the long run.

--It seems like you'll eventually become a master of fitness.

Chris Webb: That's true! Oh, I'd love to produce fitness wear someday. I might even promote it as something I could do with "KOE HOUSE" (laughs).

---I'm looking forward to all sorts of collaborations.

※"Hell's Soubei": A picture book written and illustrated by Tajima Masahiko. A rakugo picture book full of Kansai dialect, based on the Kamigata rakugo masterpiece "Hakkei Jigoku no Mouja Geki."

[Profile] Chris-Webb Yoshiko While working as a translator and music writer, she appeared as a reader model for VERY. Her unique sense, cultivated through her international circle of friends, including her British husband, and her wide range of work experience as a buyer and press, attracted attention and she became the magazine's exclusive model in 2011. Her straightforward way of speaking and wide-ranging insight have led to her appearing on numerous talk shows, as well as her talent in event production. She is currently active as a columnist and the mother of two daughters.

和田安代