I don't like the feeling of being restricted by things like being a perfect copy or having strict rules.

Yamashita: I'm not denying it at all, but I never found Japanese fashion, such as the Ivy League fashion of the generation before mine, appealing.
I hated the idea of defining how clothes *should* be worn, even though they're just clothes. Fashion that tries to fit people into rigid rules isn't even a proper imitation of America. That's why I absolutely refuse to do anything that's a reproduction.
Of course, I can make a perfect copy, but the fun of making clothes lies in absorbing everything I've seen and worn up until now and finding my own unique touches, so I won't be making perfect copies in the future.

For example, the Absinthe shirt I'm wearing today doesn't conform to the American definition of an open-collar shirt in terms of length and waist shape. We've added our own unique interpretation, such as cinching the waist and lengthening the shirt. The Ritz jacket and Al's coat are also made with a similar philosophy in mind.

I've seen a lot of things, but the role of manufacturing for our generation is to "create something unexpected based on how many things we've seen," so I'm personally interested to see what kind of clothes I'll create in the future.

Wearing clothes is fun, and so is buying clothes.

Yamashita: Young people today know a lot about things, but I feel like there are fewer people who can talk about "what comes after" putting on clothes, shoes, and a watch compared to when we were young. That's different from our time. Originally, once you put on clothes you like, there should be something beyond that, like "Let's go out and have fun there," or "Let's invite someone to go out," or "Let's go on a date with a girl." That's what fun should be about.

With Mojito's clothes, I want to talk about what happens "after" you wear them. I'll perfectly communicate the specifications, such as the fabric and stitching, to the buyers and stylists, so as the creator, I want to talk about something bigger, something that happens before the wearer even gets there.

Shibata : No, no, I think Yamashita-san only said the last one (laughs). "After putting it on" is "I'm not wearing anything" (laughs).


When I started the series on Yamashita's website "Amvai," I began it hoping that at least one reader would be inspired to pursue a career in fashion, such as becoming a buyer.
Just as we discovered Popeye magazine, there aren't many media outlets like that anymore, so I really hope that people will develop a love for fashion.

■Amver MOJITO Designer: Hirofumi Yamashita
Born in Kumamoto in 1968. After graduating from a fashion design school in Tokyo, he worked as a stylist's assistant before joining the legendary Harajuku shop "PROPELLER" as a part-time employee. Later, he worked as the general manager when a leading West Coast American shop first opened in Japan. In 2005, he became independent and handled contract work for established British brands, as well as street and outdoor brands. In 2010, he launched his own brand, MOJITO/モジト http://mojito.tokyo.

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Text: ISETAN MEN'S net
Photo: Amvai ( https://amvai.com/ )

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