The sophisticated style that embodies the city of Florence is wonderful.

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I've never been to Pitti, but I hear about it often on the fashion show where I work as an assistant. This past June, I went to Florence for a location shoot for "Asa da! Nama desu Tabi Salad," but the timing didn't work out, so I couldn't see Pitti. That's why I'm asking them to take me next time!

Italians are always cheerful and passionate, and they have this image of constantly trying to woo women (laughs). But I was a little surprised by how hardworking the local staff were. The British are also serious, but they work in a very earnest and quiet manner. But the Italians have pride in their work, and they not only try to entertain people, but they also try to have fun themselves. Sometimes they make us laugh with self-deprecating jokes, and they have a great sense of service. I don't think there's any other country with such a culture.


I had been to Florence once before on a private trip, so this was my second visit. I love Jinsei Tsuji's book "Between Calmness and Passion," so it's a city I've always admired. As you walk down the alleys, you see many small workshops where old men are constantly making things, giving you the impression that it's a city of craftsmanship. It has a great atmosphere, and the city and its people blend together, making every corner picturesque. Even an Italian man just drinking an espresso at a cafe looks incredibly cool. Even if they have gray hair or thinning hair, they look incredibly stylish and cool. The older they are, the cooler they seem. They might be wearing just a shirt, or a jacket and tie, but no one looks like they're trying too hard; it's all very natural.


Since appearing on the show, I've learned more about suits and Italian fashion, and I think my perspective has changed. That's why my second visit to Florence left a stronger impression on me than my first. Some people like to travel without knowing anything about the destination, hoping to be amazed, but I'm the type who researches things beforehand. It gives me more peace of mind. When I went to Florence after learning about Italian menswear, I think my prior knowledge allowed me to pay attention to details like what men in suits and ties focus on, and how they express their sense of style. I even checked the shape of the jacket shoulders, the width of the lapels, and how they tucked in their pocket squares (laughs). The more I learn, the more I realize how profound men's clothing is. Women's fashion can't be explored in that much depth.



This casual jacket style is put together with Italian brands. The choice of a suede jacket is simple yet edgy, which is great. It's not too formal, and it's a casual style with a bit of ruggedness, but the shirred pants add a nice touch of casualness, which I like. These kinds of functional pants are trending lately, aren't they? When someone subtly and skillfully incorporates trendy items, they come across as stylish.



I like that he's wearing a jacket instead of a dress shirt. The navy and brown windowpane pattern is a beautiful Italian color combination. The navy tones give off a clean and sincere impression, and somehow he seems like the type to be quite charming. I think it's good that he's not overdressed and that it's an Italian style that isn't too extreme. He looks like he'd take you to a slightly upscale restaurant on a date (laughs).



I think I like the simple knit jacket style the best. The silhouette of the pants is modern and stylish. The pattern isn't too flashy, and I think the choice of wider-than-usual stripes shows individuality, which is nice. He looks like someone who works in IT, doesn't he? He probably has a lot of stickers on his laptop (laughs). But if I were to choose a boyfriend, I'd want someone who could pull off this kind of style.

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▼ 1. Tomohiro Inaba (Mitsukoshi Isetan Buyer)
▼ 2. Tomoka Takada (Creative Director, "Colony Clothing")
▼ 3. Mika Hirose (Model/Talent)
▼ 4. KING MASA
▼ 5. Hiroshi Ishii (Editor-in-Chief of 'LEON' magazine)

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