2017.03.14 update

[Interview] Noritake Kinashi | Kinashi Cycle's humorous "adult play" at Isetan(1/3)

The day before the interview, March 10th, was Noritake Kinashi's 55th birthday. "I'm starting to feel just right in my 50s. I'm having fun working in various genres, and I've just reached a happy 55 by balancing work and private life," said Kinashi. He gazed fondly at the limited-edition caps sold by Kinashi Cycle x Isetan Men's, which were lined up on the table.


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Click here for a list of Kinashi Cycle x Isetan Men's products and how to purchase them.

I'm truly grateful that so many people came last time.


At the Kinashi Cycle x Isetan Men's pop-up shop held last January, the Kinashi Cycle x Isetan collaboration caps sold out very quickly, with fans posting updates on Twitter about the long lines to get in. It was such a success that fans were already saying, "We're looking forward to a second event."

And once again, the shop, a collaboration with Kinashi Cycle, a bicycle shop run by Noritake Kinashi's father, Sakuzo Kinashi, will be open from Wednesday, March 29th to Tuesday, April 11th at Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building 1st floor = Promotion.


—Your pop-up shop last year was incredibly popular. Looking back, what are your thoughts?

The first floor of Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building is where top brands from around the world hold pop-up shops, and in between, the Isetan Men's staff like to play around with "that kind of thing," which is Kinashi Cycle (laughs). I feel like Kinashi Cycle is finally starting to look like Hermes (laughs). (*At the time of the interview, an Hermes pop-up shop was being held on the first floor Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building as part of the promotion.)

Last time, we sold limited-edition products in collaboration with various brands, and I'm truly grateful that so many people came. I heard that Kazuko Kurosawa from Morisanchu even waited in line for an hour and a half, and when I called her, she said, "I want to wait in line too!" and bought some. I'm so thankful.

When I heard that we would be doing this at Isetan again, I thought about how to have fun in a different way than last time. Not only the products, but also the interior and layout of the limited-time shop, and all the ideas that came together will be displayed on the first floor. One of them is the collaboration with Tokoro-san's "Setagaya Base".