Isetan Mitsukoshi and BEAMS have teamed up to host "STAND Kyushu," a project event to rediscover the charms of various parts of Japan, which will begin on March 29th at The Stage on the first floor of the main building of Isetan Shinjuku and on the first floor of BEAMS Japan.

FASHION HEADLINE interviewed some of the Kyushu creators taking part in the event, focusing on them.

■ "Hide-chan Save Kyushu Ramen Project" x "Doublet"

Kego, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka City, is close to Tenjin. This is where you will find Hide-chan Ramen, known as the leader of Hakata tonkotsu ramen, which on weekends sees long lines of ramen fans from both within and outside the prefecture.



Hide-chan Ramen, which has been developed under the hands of representative Hideto Kawahara, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, while Hakata Daruma, a long-established restaurant passed down from previous generations, is celebrating its 55th anniversary. The restaurant now has overseas branches in Cambodia, Hong Kong, New York, and other countries, with its New York and Hong Kong branches boasting excellent reputations and even being featured in the Michelin Guide. They are spreading Japan's proud ramen culture to the world.



Kawahara, a Kyushu man, is as compassionate as he is passionate about ramen, always willing to adjust the flavor if he feels it is necessary. He launched the "Hide-chan Ramen Project to Save the Provinces" after providing ramen soup after the Chuetsu earthquake and at an orphanage in Cambodia. In the wake of the recent earthquakes, he became a self-starter, working hard to support the disaster-stricken areas of Tohoku and Kumamoto. To date, he has provided soup kitchens around 60 times, providing over 10,000 meals.

Kawahara is also a big fan of fashion. He has previously collaborated with fashion brands he favors to produce rice bowls and T-shirts, which have garnered much attention. He also previously showcased his skills at the after-party for the PITTI UOMO exhibition at TOKYO FASHION WEEK in ITALY as part of the Cool Japan project.



STAND Kyushu collaborated with doublet, a men's fashion brand by designer Masayuki Ino, to develop uniforms for the Kyushu Ramen Project. The four collaborative items include a jacket, apron, cap, and T-shirt. For example, the T-shirt features gold embroidery of "FUKUOKA," with the bottom half of the letters unsewn, leaving the threads flowing. This unique and cool design is typical of Doublet, which promotes the concept of "everyday wear with a sense of discomfort." Kawahara, wearing the T-shirt and holding the cap, commented, "It's cool," before heading straight into the kitchen and skillfully preparing ramen. He immediately looked great in the uniform. "I've always loved and used streetwear, so I like the design with its unique twist. Food and fashion are part of the same creative team. I'm happy to be a part of it," he said of the event. Kawahara always wears the uniform with the staff at the soup kitchen, striving to encourage and inspire them, and he's keenly aware of the importance of perseverance. This limited-edition uniform is the new uniform for the "Hide-chan Saves the Provinces Ramen Project." Using fashion as a tool, it's also an opportunity to deepen understanding of the project.
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【Event Information】
"STAND Kyushu"
■Isetan Shinjuku Store
Dates: March 29th - April 4th
Location: Isetan Shinjuku Main Building, 1st Floor = The Stage
Time: 10:30am - 8pm
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■Beams Japan
Dates: March 29th - April 11th
Location: Beams Japan, 1st Floor
Time: 11am - 8pm
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【Interview Cooperation】
"Hide-chan Ramen Main Store"
Address: 2-13-11 Kego, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City
Telephone: 092-734-4436
Closed: New Year's Day