Modern furniture brand arflex and ISETAN MEN'S have collaborated. Fabric scraps and leftovers from arflex's furniture manufacturing process have been reused and reborn as PORTER bags. These bags will be available for purchase from September 22nd (Wed) to October 5th (Tue) at the " Re:marche " event on the 1st floor Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building , and on the Mitsukoshi Isetan online store.

We spoke with Mr. Hoshina from Arflex Japan Co., Ltd. and PORTER planning manager about this first-ever initiative.

Takashi Hoshina, President and CEO of Arflex Japan Co., Ltd., who held the triple-collaboration bag in his hands, said, "I used to love PORTER bags when I was a student, so I'm thrilled to see the double-name tag with Arflex."

Interview ▶ Mr. Hoshina, Arflex

A new experience: being able to carry Arflex with you wherever you go.

• arflex/Arflex
  
  Established in Italy and brought to Japan in 1969, this modern furniture brand has been proposing a fulfilling lifestyle through high-quality furniture. Common to all its products, including sofas, are simple design, high durability, and excellent maintainability. At its core is the unchanging philosophy of wanting customers to enjoy their furniture for a long time, experiencing the comfort of it becoming a part of their home. By incorporating contemporary sensibilities into universal values, they deliver furniture that can be cherished for 20, 30 years, and beyond.
  
  View the Arflex special feature page
  *Arflex products are permanently displayed in the living room section on the 5th floor of the main building of Isetan Shinjuku store.

Arflex is a furniture brand that originated in Italy in 1951. The founder of Arflex Japan, who studied the philosophy of modern furniture and comfortable living in Italy, returned to Japan in 1969 and began its domestic operations. As a brand "born in Italy and raised in Japan," it continues to create original Japanese products while incorporating the sensibilities of each era into universal values, and continues to propose a rich lifestyle through furniture. It has also had a long-standing presence in Isetan Shinjuku and is a well-loved furniture brand.


-- Our collaboration with PORTER has resulted in a unique collection of bags.

Takashi Hoshina (hereinafter, Hoshina): In the manufacturing process of our products, we inevitably end up with scraps of wood and fabric. We have previously reused these materials as part of an eco-project within the company, such as creating novelty items for shop openings, but this is the first time we are selling them as products.

— How did you perceive the interview you gave on behalf of ISETAN MEN'S ?

Hoshina: I was impressed by Isetan's ability to grasp the needs of the times, as they noticed our leftover materials. Since the adoption of the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) at the 2015 UN Summit, remaking, recycling, and reusing things around us has become commonplace. Customers are also very interested in this, so I think they will naturally become interested as well.

--How do you feel about the finished bag?


I've always admired Hoshina PORTER 's products, as well as their store design and artist collaborations, which are all very creative. The resulting product is truly wonderful.

The fabrics we use are high-quality materials made in Italy. For example, the fabrics used for upholstery on sofas undergo thorough quality inspections from various angles, including wear and tear and color fading, and only those that meet certain standards are adopted as "Arflex Standards." When I first saw the bags, I was pleasantly surprised, thinking, "Wow, that fabric has been transformed in this way!"

—You can't move furniture, but this bag is "Arflex that you can carry around."


Hoshina: That's so true. It's a new challenge for us, but I think people will be thrilled when they see this bag on the streets. I'm excited about Arflex becoming a more familiar presence.

Arflex aims to create "furniture that can be used safely and reliably for a long time."

--With the COVID-19 pandemic dragging on, have you noticed any changes in your customers?

Hoshina: Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, car sharing had become commonplace, especially among young people, and people were buying goods online, so the values people have been changing dramatically. Then, with the impact of the coronavirus, people started spending more time at home and staying home, and I think this is a time when the value of "housing" among clothing, food, and shelter is being noticed and re-evaluated. I myself have had more time to stand in the kitchen and tend to my garden while staying at home.

—I've been decluttering a lot of things, and my approach to life has also changed.

Customers visiting Hoshina Arflex are also re-evaluating their homes, and the fact that dining tables with DEKTON ceramic tops, which are resistant to stains and antibacterial agents, and desks that can be used for remote work in the living room are selling well reflects the times.

—So you're very responsive to global changes.

Hoshina: Yes. Furthermore, at Arflex, we repair and maintain all of the products we have sold so far at our own factory in Japan. The "furniture that can be used safely and for a long time" that we aim for is all available on the 5th floor of the main building, so when you come to the promotion on the 1st floor of Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building , please stop by the 5th floor of the main building and try them out.

Item Introduction ▶ PORTER x arflex by ISETAN MEN'S

The lineup includes five different styles, from 2-way tote bags to wallets.

Interview ▶ PORTER Planning Manager

A product that allows you to enjoy the mix of different materials that express the unique characteristics of both companies.

• ● PORTER
  Established in 1962 as the main brand of Yoshida & Co., a bag manufacturer founded in 1935, the brand is committed to being made in Japan, with attention paid to materials, parts, and stitching, aiming to create bags that become more comfortable with use and can be cherished for a long time.
  The brand name was chosen because we believe that porters, who handle customers' bags at hotels and other establishments, are constantly in contact with bags and therefore understand their quality.
  
  ● "Yoshida & Co."
  Founded in 1935 in Kanda, Tokyo, by Yoshizo Yoshida, a skilled bag craftsman, Yoshida Co., Ltd. (commonly known as Yoshida Kaban) aims to create bags that can be cherished for a long time, with "Porter" and "Luggage Label" as its main brands.
  With "Putting our heart and soul into every stitch" as our company motto, we continue to make bags with a commitment to Japanese craftsmanship. Achieving this commitment to quality in every step, from material selection to design and sewing, requires the high skill level of experienced craftsmen. We believe that only Japanese craftsmen share our vision and can create the bags we desire. We will continue to create bags together with Japanese craftsmen.
  
  View PORTER special feature page
  * PORTER products are permanently available in the bag section on the first basement floor of Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building .

—Could you tell us frankly about the circumstances and your initial impressions when the collaboration plan was first proposed?

I was delighted to receive this invaluable opportunity from Isetan to work with materials from the historically significant Arflex company. At the same time, it gave me a fresh perspective on manufacturing, wondering what could be done if furniture materials were used in bags.

—When you received the request, how did you plan to translate it into a product or artwork?

With the idea of combining furniture and bags, instead of using Arflex's fabrics for the entire bag, we aimed to create a product that expresses the unique characteristics of both companies by combining them with PORTER 's signature fabrics, resulting in a product that allows you to enjoy the mixed feel of different materials.

—What were your impressions when you actually received the scrap materials from Arflex and saw them in person?

Firstly, I noticed that it was significantly thicker than the fabric used for bags. On the other hand, while it was very strong, I also felt that the density of the fabric's weave was lower compared to the bag fabric. Furthermore, the fabric was a blend of multiple materials such as polypropylene, rayon, cotton, and linen, and I was impressed by the wonderful textures created not only by the differences in patterns but also by the differences in composition.

—Were there any difficulties during production?

As expected, the fabric is thick but also has some loosely woven areas, so we consulted with the craftsmen to determine the most suitable sewing method and lining. We struggled with handling the thick fabric, especially when sewing overlapping sections and frequently turning the bag inside out during the manufacturing process. At the same time, we hope you will also notice our commitment to lightness.

-- Do you have a message for customers at Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building ?

This is our first collaboration with Arflex.
These products embody the unique identity of each brand, reflecting their individual commitment to quality. Beyond their vibrant appearance, these special items offer a delightful tactile experience. Furthermore, they are a valuable collection available in limited quantities, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability. We hope that Arflex fans will have the opportunity to experience and enjoy these items through ISETAN MEN'S .

Available at Mitsukoshi Isetan Online Store
View the PORTER x arflex product list.

In addition to PORTER , we have also collaborated with artists Ken Tanishiki and Kota Kawai, and will be showcasing works in stores that have been reborn as new art by reusing leftover fabric scraps from Arflex.