Interview
#003


PAUL STUART

[About]

Pioneer brand Paul Stuart with "Anglo America" ​​style.
Proposal of traditional British suit culture from the US perspective, branding with the motto of the "style that is not swept away by the trendy, firm elegance there".
The Paul STUART -style customer service style, which is not a look, not a look, is a place in Madison in New York for 80 years.
Paul Stuart has many stores in Japan. However, the reason for starting a business only with the flagship Madison Avenue store. We interviewed CEO Masahiko Kusagaya what kind of story was there.

The meaning of visiting many times

━ How do you meet Paul Stuart and Brooklyn Museum?

Clifford Grid, the second president of Paul Stuart, and the founder of Brooklyn Museum for about 30 years.

If you say that, you will think that it was also a great connection, but it is more steady.
The founder, who launched Brooklyn at the age of 25, visited NY many times and pioneered the client. It was the most certain way to go to the site in a situation where mobile phones and emails are not as well as now.
A young Japanese who just likes fashion and speaks unusual English will take appointments every year. I think it was a lot of heat and it was interesting.

Paul STUART originally runs a select shop for Ivy Leaguers, and the founders were also greatly influenced by the Ivy Cook. I was blessed with wonderful opportunities, including those roots, and started.

━ Why did you keep attacking Paul STUART?

"Because it's top notch."
Very simple.

As I heard from the founder, at that time, the clothes of Paul Stuart changed the concept of "Savil Row, a suit", and the natural shoulder fit that was accompanied by the body line was novel. is.
In a blink of an eye, many celebrities such as former President Kennedy and Franksinatra will use it. It was a longing brand.

And the dignity of the flagship shop is amazing.
A luxurious space with a luxury in a small department store. So the staff who work proudly. Customers who have happily familiar staff and go to the city of NY dashingly.
Everything is top notch.

It is rare in the world to open a shop that is open from 7:00 in the morning according to the customer.

Is it 7 am in the morning? !

That's amazing. Now, due to this situation, it has changed, but the business elites before going to work choose today's tie with one coffee.

Please come to the store, or rather, because the customer search is thorough, it is a stance of operating according to the high -end customer lifestyle. The closing is fast, though. Everyone goes out for dinner.

One business hours are also mainly the customer.
That's the same for suits and accessories. Of course, it will be stoic.

"Provide confidence, not look"
Because of such a brand, it was meaningful to be treated.

Trust as a product

You can see that the quality is branded with beliefs as well as quality. What kind of items did you handle?

We had you deal with leather accessories such as wallets and card cases. I had the opportunity to make Dlesss bags.

They basically do business under their own name. Rather than relying on materials and factory names, they compete with a store brand called Paul Stuart.
I think the reason I gained absolute trust from Manhattan's executives was because of priority over profit.
Surprisingly, I heard that the suit was asking Kiton for OEM.
KITON is a global tailored brand that represents Italy Naples, and its materials and sewing technologies are praised as "the most beautiful clothes in the world." A polite handicraft in which 150 craftsmen take 20 hours to tailor the first place, but just asking the top -notch brand to OEM will tell you your seriousness.

━ That means that Brooklyn Museum is lined up there. Did you have any particular consciousness?

We pursued the manufacturer with a fertilized high -end customer with Paul Stuart.
As KITON takes 20 hours in a single suit, our manufacturing is spending a lot of time and time.
Because mass production is not possible, the quality of all materials, design, and colors is high, and it is not possible to go to the store unless it is loved for a long time.

I feel that this policy has been transmitted not only as words but also as a product, and as a result of trust, it has led to repeat orders.

Communicate the power of the product

━ What kind of material did you prefer?

After all, there were many materials that were not in the United States. Persimmon astringent dyeing, indigo dyeing, original leather Yamato, and grosscode van. We had you deal with all the materials.
Among them, the repeat rate of persimmon astringent dyeing was high.

A persimmon dye dyeing with brushes one by one to a large cowhide.
It seems that the product can feel that it will not be finished without the old technology and wisdom, and the delicate handicraft of Japanese people.
I heard that some people have become fans, including aging, and have collected them.

Persimmon astringent dye, which was in danger of inheritance until two years ago.
By meeting a wonderful tanner, I was able to connect to the next generation. This is not just a coincidence, just because there was a tanner who has the skills to catch and realize our strong thoughts of "do not lose this technology."

There is a story, one by one that is loved by the border. I think that products with such a story have power.

The style of Paul Stuart's thoroughness is to provide confidence instead of look, as well as our craftsmanship that has conveyed the "power of leather" and "power of color". It makes me feel.

To disseminate the charm of handicraft not found in mass production.
To have customers get a powerful product, and continue making things that will enrich your days as much as possible.

Someday the situation is calm again
I would be glad if I visited Manhattan and could talk about it.


Other works

Ralph Lauren