Jewelry brand PUERTA DEL SOL will be holding its "2016 1st collection Trunk Show" at Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building 1F = Men's Accessories from Wednesday, April 20th to Tuesday, April 26th. Designer Tomoyasu Hirano will also be holding a trunk show at the store from 1 PM to 7 PM on Saturday, April 23rd. This will be a rare opportunity to have Mr. Hirano himself fit you with jewelry that suits you. Please come and visit us.


I started this because I wanted to be known as a "skilled craftsman."

When asked why he named his brand Puerta del Sol, Hirano replied, "I was originally a prototype maker for jewelry and such, and 20 years ago I didn't think about designing and selling my own products. I started it because I wanted to be known as a skilled craftsman."

However, an acquaintance at the time advised him, "Your handwriting style is more prominent than the design drawings you're being commissioned to do, so you should do it yourself instead of working as a subcontractor," which motivated him to take action. Puerta del Sol is named after the Puerta del Sol square in Madrid, Spain, and he explains, "This square, like Nihonbashi in Tokyo, is the 'zero point' of Spain's road markers. Start from zero, and if you get lost, go back to zero. I named it with the idea that zero holds infinite possibilities."


I still carve the prototypes myself.

"I start carving right away when I come up with a design for my new piece, just a rough sketch. In clothing design terms, a pattern maker is like a prototype maker, but what I do is closer to three-dimensional cutting. I decide whether to make it thinner or a little thicker as I actually carve it."

Many people associate Puerta del Sol designs with the "Chess Knight," but apparently, that design has been around for 16 years. "Looking at the Chess Knight design from back then, there are some things I think we should have done differently, but we've deliberately left it as is," says Hirano.

"I think musicians often have the urge to re-record songs they recorded in the past, thinking they could play them better now. But when I look at the Chess series from 16 years ago, I realize I was just cutting things out because I wanted to, and there's an initial impulse that I can't overcome now. Even if my technique improves, there's something I can't surpass, so I've left it as it is. When I look at the Chess series, I feel like I can't lose to my past self, and I see it as a starting point that I can return to."


"PE021WT" 29,160 yen

I want to be like a "chess knight ."

Hirano's interest in chess began 16 years ago when he was born in the Year of the Horse. "I love seeing cars with horse emblems and horses running around, so I thought I'd make all the chess pieces out of silver. I did some research, but at the time there weren't any cool pieces available, so I decided to make them myself." That's how the "Chess Knight" was born. "I grew to love this piece more and more while carving the knight. The knight can move irregularly in eight directions, and I wanted to become something like that knight."

"The greatest joy in making jewelry is seeing people happy when they pick it up, and how it gradually becomes something like a lucky charm for them as they wear it. I've even had customers tell me, 'Things I couldn't do or say before, I was able to take a step forward after wearing it.' That made me very happy," says Hirano.

"When you buy men's jewelry in a store, it's still a semi-finished product. Just as denim gets wrinkled, faded, and develops whiskers as you wear it, I want jewelry to become a part of you as you wear it. I encourage you to try it on in the store. We are particular about the fit, and we pay special attention to the construction and polishing of the inside of rings in particular. Jewelry definitely looks best when you wear it."

"LA1019" 33,480 yen

Original leather wallets and clutches are also available.

This trunk show will also feature two types of leather wallets and a clutch bag made from Puerta del Sol's original leather. Both items are made from semi-aniline finished cowhide leather, chosen for its thickness and texture, offering a luxurious feel that increases in luster with use, as well as resistance to scratches and water. Furthermore, the zippers used both inside and out are EXCELLA double-type zippers, with each element meticulously polished to enhance their substantial and luxurious appearance. The rounded sections open and close smoothly, making them easy to use. The clutch bag has a smart and stylish form without a gusset, and can also be used as a bag-in-bag.

"LW1017 (Round Wallet)" ¥41,040, "LW1018 (Mini Wallet)" ¥32,400

*All prices include tax.

PUERTA DEL SOL Trunk Show □ April 20th (Wed) - 26th (Tue), 2016
□ Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building 1st Floor = Men's Accessories
*On Saturday, April 23rd, from 1 to 7 pm, designer Tomoyasu Hirano will be at the store to offer suggestions tailored to customers' requests and styles.

Photo: Suzuki Shimpei

inquiry
Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building 1st Floor = Men's Accessories
03-3352-1111 (main representative)