MONOCLE

[ABOUT]

MONOCLE is a lifestyle information magazine launched in 2007 by Tyler Brûlé, the creative director who launched the British lifestyle magazine ``Wallpaper*,'' which is sold in over 50 countries around the world.

Mr. Tyler provides the latest information on business, culture, and design from his unique perspective. MONOCLE is a global media brand that goes beyond a magazine and combines print and video.

Mr. Tyler, who continues to be on the cutting edge of trends, and BROOKLYN MUSEUM have collaborated many times so far. We interviewed CEO Masahiko Kusagaya about his relationship with Mr. Tyler and the latest collaboration.

━ When did you first meet Tyler Brûlé?

That was in 2007. Since then, we have met every year. Born in Canada, Tyler began his career as a reporter for the BBC before moving on to print journalism before launching the world-famous Wallpaper* in 1996. Although he travels all over the world, he really liked Tokyo, and in the fall of 2007, he happened to find Brooklyn (at the time) in a back alley in Minami-Aoyama, and at that time he really liked our products.

━ After that, how did you develop a relationship to create things together?

Mr. Tyler is also a person who has respect for manufacturing. Immediately after we met, he highly praised BROOKLYN MUSEUM's commitment to leather, passion, and technical ability.Since the launch of MONOCLE, we have received regular offers and have deepened our relationship of trust.

━ This time, instead of a limited-time collaboration, we created items that line up with the regular lineup of ``MONOCLE.'' What is the difference from the previous ones?

Up until now, we've mainly collaborated by receiving Mr. Tyler's ideas, ``I want to make something like this!'' and making those ideas a reality. It looks like a sold-out product with limited quantities. This time, the project was started with the aim of creating a standard MONOCLE item, a little different from usual.

━ In other words, if you were to compare it to a store, it would be like having a permanent BROOKLYN MUSEUM shelf inside a store called MONOCLE.

I agree. Simply put, the idea was to create an item that would match Mr. Tyler's glasses to be placed in the store.

━ Where did that story come from?

I hear that the decision was made when we heard that MONOCLE said, ``We want to deliver something really good to our readers.'' Fortunately, Tyler himself nominated us. I've known Tyler for almost 15 years, so I knew that he trusted the quality of our leather products, but he's also very strict when it comes to products, so I was very excited to receive his offer.

━ What kind of discussions took place before the specific items were decided?

One of the most popular items sold by MONOCLE is the collaboration series with the stationery brand DELFONICS, but when I thought of an item that wasn't available there, I thought that the mini wallet that we carry would be perfect, so I suggested it. Tyler really liked it, too, and things progressed smoothly from there.

━ How did you decide on the colors?

Tyler has several favorite colors, and his favorite color is green. I also like black, camel, and orange. As we talked, we decided that Tyler's favorite color, green, was a must, and the other two colors were decided based on the balance with existing items. As a result, we decided to start with three colors: dark green, black, and camel.

━ Looking back on your work with Mr. Tyler, how do you feel about it?

Tyler isHe is a very friendly and kind person. However, when it comes to work, I am one of those people who gets very nervous. When it comes to specific items, his eyes become sharp and he becomes the ``Tyler Brûlée of the world.'' At that moment, both of us straightened up. I really like that feeling.

━Did Mr. Tyler say no to the project every year? pointing out? Have you ever received one?

I've received mild opinions like, ``Wouldn't it be better if we did this?'' or rather, ``Wouldn't it be better if we did this?'' He's always a calm person, so maybe that's why he's being kind to me. However, every time I work with him, I feel like I'm being tested to the best of my ability at the time, and it feels like a test of my ability at school, which is very stimulating.

━But the fact that the offer never stops means that the test has been passed, right?

I would like to believe so. In that sense, the fact that I receive offers every time means that I have been able to clear the challenges that have been given to me, and I feel as if I have passed Tess. .

━ I see. This is an important test that comes once a year.

Every time Tyler checks the samples, he's so nervous that his hands are sweating. When I am asked to do something, I have a really lighthearted approach. I was like, "Can you do this? Well, I'll leave it to you." However, when I am faced with a specific item, I am a completely different person. However, I was able to continue to overcome the high hurdles that were imposed on me, which is why I am where I am today, and I feel that working with Tyler is an extremely valuable person who has made me aware of my own limits while at the same time giving me a sense of new possibilities and growth.

━ Where can I get Mr. Kusagaya and Mr. Tyler's masterpiece?

The actual store is The Monocle Shop Tokyo near Yoyogi Park. The rest are directly managed stores in the UK, Hong Kong, and Italy. Of course, you can also purchase it at the online shop. First of all, I would be happy if you could look at it online and then visit the store sometime and pick it up.