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2019.06.08 update

[Special Feature] Overturning the conventional wisdom of vintage eyewear: Ten different ways to enjoy it.（2/2）



I want to propose jewelry with a rich history as a form of fashion.

"There are several reasons why I became so into eyewear, but my grandfather's influence might be one of them. My grandfather, who was a private detective, had a stylish look, wearing custom-made suits, SAINT LAURENT sunglasses, gold rings, and casually sporting a Borsalino hat. His office, which we young children were never allowed to enter, was filled with law books and history books. My mother dressed my brother and me in matching designer clothes from the 80s when we were little, so I think I was exposed to fashion from a very early age."


"Following that, I became interested in vintage fashion in my teens, and one day I discovered the appeal of eyewear. The frames from eyewear specialty brands like Alain Mikli that I saw in a specialty store were just so interesting...Eyewear is part of your face, so I think it has an even greater influence on your personality and the impression you give off than fashion. It can reveal your genuine kindness, strength, warmth, fun, and sometimes even sleepiness (laughs). Eyewear becomes a part of your body, doesn't it? In various everyday situations, you often find yourself thinking, 'Is the tint of these lenses suitable for eating?' I think it's even more 'human' than fashion."

So what is the reason behind Mr. Ryunosuke's insistence on vintage items?


"The appeal of vintage eyewear isn't in its 'used look.' That's a major difference from used vintage fashion. That's why we want to sell them in the best possible condition, as close to their original state as possible, and ideally even better than new. There's certainly a unique charm to vintage items. But the charm of 1980s eyewear is something that 1970s eyewear doesn't have, and conversely, there's a charm that 2010s eyewear doesn't have. So, we believe that both 1940s eyewear and 2010s eyewear have their own unique charm from the perspective of 'time travel' or 'cultural travel.'"

And this promotion will bring together a museum-quality collection of antique jewelry that they began handling in 2015.


"If vintage eyewear is measured in terms of about 200 years, then antique jewelry is measured in terms of over 2000 years. You can enjoy an even grander 'time travel' from ancient Rome to the Middle Ages and World War II. This isn't a museum, so please feel free to try things on. Incorporating antique jewelry into your fashion while acknowledging its historical story—I think this kind of enjoyment is very much in line with 'today' trends. Unless it has a huge diamond, the price is around 1 million yen at most, considering its rarity. You can enjoy it just by looking, and admission is free (laughs)."

They say that the sourcing routes for eyewear and jewelry are completely different. "We pride ourselves on being pioneers in the world of vintage eyewear," says Ryunosuke. For about five years, they have ventured into the surprisingly conservative and closed world of antique jewelry. Through introductions, they have steadily increased their presence and expanded their network. What sets them apart is that they understand the immense "meaning" of historical ornaments, but then deliberately flatten it and propose incorporating them into real fashion. No one in the world has ever heard of such an approach. The Okamoto brothers and Solakzade are likely to be called pioneers in the world of antique jewelry as well.
Event Information

Solakzade Trunk Show

□ June 12th (Wed) - 18th (Tue) / Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building 1st Floor = Seasonal Goods & Hats □ June 12th (Wed) - 27th (Thu) / Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building 1st Floor = Jewelry


Photo: Natsuko Okada
Text: Junya Hasegawa (america)

inquiry
Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building 1st Floor = Seasonal Goods & Hats
Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building 1st Floor = Jewelry
03-3352-1111 (main representative)

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