A long coat that allows you to walk lightly and hands-free, feeling the spring breeze.

"We say clothing, food, and shelter are essential, but the fashion world should take food as an example. Lately, I've been drawing inspiration from food when designing my own clothes," says Shunsuke Ishikawa, designer at Markaware. While traceability is becoming commonplace in the food industry, Ishikawa says he is also switching to organic and sustainable materials for the clothes he designs. What kind of spring coat does Ishikawa propose in "My Best Coat"?

Longer outerwear can give off a chic, mature look.

—When Isetan Men's asked you to participate in this " My Best Coat " project, what were your initial thoughts?

When I heard the word "coat" from the Isetan Men's buyer, I put a lot of effort into it because I think spring coats are becoming an important item for spring and summer. Outerwear worn in spring tends to be short, but I prefer longer lengths because they look more chic and broaden the range of outfits I can create. Since it's spring and summer, I tried to express the feeling of wearing a coat in a casual way.

-- Ms. Ishikawa, do you personally wear a coat in the spring?

I wear coats quite often. Right now, I'm really into incorporating Japanese elements into my clothing, and I find long-length items particularly interesting. From spring to summer, I often wear wide-legged pants that feel cool, paired with a light coat, creating a Zen monk-like, traditional Japanese look.

This coat is perfect for the still-chilly early spring, and even when it gets warmer, it can be worn lightly as a light outer layer when you want to layer it with a longer coat. It protects you from the sun, and you can wear it open for cooler weather, making it ideal for adult men.

Coat: 70,200 yen

It has the feel of a "shirt coat," something you can wear casually like a shirt.

-- Please tell us about your " My Best Coat ."

The design itself is also featured in the Markaware Spring/Summer collection; it's a natural, single-layered coat with dropped shoulders and a smooth feel. As summer approaches, pockets tend to disappear from our wardrobes, but this coat has pockets that go all the way around to the back, so you can easily carry something the size of an iPad mini in one of them.

At Markaware, we've been gradually switching to sustainable materials since this spring/summer season, and we're now using organic cotton and wool. The material for this coat is cordlane, woven in Japan using 90-count yarn made from organic cotton that has been compact-spun in Switzerland.

It's not immediately obvious, but when you touch it, it has a crisp feel, and the elasticity of the cordlane creates a textured surface, which contributes to its comfortable feel against the skin. Furthermore, because it's a tightly woven material, a space is created between the skin and the fabric, allowing air to circulate and providing a refreshing sensation.

—What kind of styling suggestions would you recommend focusing on this coat?

In March, when it's still a bit chilly, you can wear a light knit sweater underneath and layer another coat over it. Or, before summer, you can wear it with wide-legged pants and a T-shirt. I think it can be worn for a long time, until the sun gets too strong. It's a coat I'd like to own myself.

This season, Markaware's concept is "Learning from JAPAN," and last June, they held a special exhibition at the Copenhagen Design Museum showcasing the influence of Japanese crafts on Danish design, which was absolutely wonderful. It made me appreciate the greatness of Japan all over again, even abroad.

I've always loved Japanese things and wanted to express them in Western clothing someday. Right now, I like the idea of layering V-zones in a V-shape, like the lined kimono, and I want to enjoy wearing this coat in that way too.

I have high expectations for Isetan as a "high-quality media outlet."

—Please take this opportunity to share your thoughts, expectations, and requests Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building the current Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building.

Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building , is undoubtedly the best store in the world, and I hope it will continue to shape the future. I believe it plays a vital role in invigorating the fashion industry. Rather than simply changing sales methods like online sales, I hope they will strengthen the store's role as a medium—its ability to communicate—and consciously project an image of Isetan as a high-quality media outlet. I look forward to more fundamental and forward-looking new actions.

Of the three necessities of life—clothing, food, and shelter—food is the most advanced. For example, fast food emerged in the 1970s and 80s, but fast fashion is about 20 years behind. While there is a global movement towards pesticide-free and organic food production with the environment in mind, it must be said that there is still little interest in "clothing agriculture," such as cotton and linen. I hope that Marka's approach to materials with this awareness will spark interest in clothing. I want to connect this to the future.

Shunsuke Ishikawa

Born in Hyogo Prefecture in 1969. He launched the men's brand marka in 2003. In the Spring/Summer 2009 season, he launched MARKAWARE. All processes in clothing production, including spinning, sewing, and finishing, are carried out in Japan. Based on this firm spirit that he upheld from the brand's inception, he delivers menswear that incorporates his own unique modernism and wit into the artisanal details cultivated from the good old days. Since the Autumn/Winter 2014 season, MARKAWARE has been attaching traceability cards to each item that clearly state the background related to the clothing, such as the raw materials and factory names, in order to disclose the quality.

*All prices include tax.

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Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building 6th Floor = Contemporary Casual
03-3352-1111 (pinch hitter table)


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