Antonio Berardi's second line, BERARDI, was launched on February 27th.

It is available at 22 department stores nationwide, including Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo, Nagoya, Shikoku, and Kyushu. A limited-time store is open until March 5th on the 4th floor park of Isetan Shinjuku.

"The brand's concept is 'ON's new basics.' Targeting stylish women in their 40s and 50s who don't want to be called 'career women,' this line was created with the idea in mind of how to propose new basics for the business world," says Hatanaka, a buyer at Isetan Shinjuku.

He further states, "The three design axes of BERARDI are 'fabric,' 'contrast,' and 'silhouette.' 'Fabric' refers to the fact that, as the brand is handled by Takihyo, a textile trading company, they are particular about materials and use carefully selected domestically developed materials as well as imported materials such as Italian yarn. 'Contrast' refers to design features that are not influenced by trends, such as two-tone changes, combining different materials in one item, and asymmetrical silhouettes. 'Silhouette' refers to a stylish silhouette with straight cuts that fits in with business scenes."

Limited items will also be on sale at the pop-up shop on the 4th floor of Isetan Shinjuku. The selection includes a tweed set made with Italian brand Ferla fabric (jacket 93,450 yen, skirt 36,750 yen), a silk wool set (jacket 72,450 yen, skirt 34,650 yen, pants 38,850 yen), a blouse (30,450 yen), a ruffled tunic (30,450 yen), and jacquard pants (34,650 yen). "At the Shinjuku store, we've strengthened the volume of our higher-grade product line," says Hatanaka.

"Berardi" was licensed by Takihyo and debuted as the company's new brand, replacing "Anne Klein New York," which withdrew from Japan on the 26th.