" Isetan Men's Staff Profiles " is a series that spotlights and introduces the unique stylists who work at Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building .
This time, we're featuring Yuzuru Nakamichi, a highly reliable Men's Attendant who holds qualifications as a "Personal Color Analyst" and "Junior Skeletal Style Advisor," and we spoke with him about his unique perspective on fashion and his hobby of "beer."

"I learn a lot from my customers," he says with a nonchalant demeanor, but beside that is his passion for his hobbies, which he delves into with obsessive enthusiasm once he becomes interested in them.

 

A person with a knack for skillfully mixing modern and classic styles.

Since my student days, I've been devoted to high-fashion designer brands, and I used to frequent Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building 2nd floor. Choosing Mitsukoshi Isetan as my first job was a very natural progression. But it wasn't easy. I received a rejection notice in the final stages, so I reluctantly took a job at another retail company. About a year after starting that job, Mitsukoshi Isetan had a mid-career opening, and I couldn't give up, so I tried again and got hired. I think the interviewers were probably taken aback that I came back to apply again so casually after being rejected the first time (laughs).

My dream came true when I was assigned to Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building , but the floor wasn't for designer brands, but for Italian classic wear. I was completely unfamiliar with brands like BOGLIOLI , Belvest , and Loro Piana, so I struggled at first. I learned about various brands while working on the sales floor, wearing LARDINI , which was the most popular brand at the time. Before I knew it, I had become a classic fashion enthusiast even in my private life.


Lately, I've noticed an increase in designer and high fashion brands in the classic category. LUTAYS which I'm wearing today, is one such example. It's a Parisian brand launched in 2020 by Belgian designer Jean-Baptiste. LUTAYS iconic belted jacket "Ace" that I'm wearing now has a military feel to it, incorporating elements of the French Navy uniform, and I love it so much that I wear it often for both work and leisure.
I usually wear it with a mock-neck t-shirt or a turtleneck sweater, but today I tried pairing it with a polo shirt.

This brand's hybrid designs, which transcend the boundaries between high fashion and classic style, somehow remind me of Dries Van Noten, a brand I've always admired. It's classic in style, yet has a modern feel. It's "real clothes" for me, and I can confidently recommend it to my customers.

I love rare and special brands of beer.

My only hobby after work is going to a beer pub. I like to go to places that serve beers that are a bit of a specialty and are said to be "only available here in Tokyo." In terms of brands, I like "Pilsner Urquell," which is said to be the original pilsner. It's a Czech beer, and although it's now officially distributed by a Japanese manufacturer and easier to get, I drink it at a pub that imports it directly from Czechoslovakia. The pub is very particular about freshness, sourcing ingredients from Czechoslovakia and doing everything themselves, from temperature control in the refrigerators to plumbing work.

"Old Speckled Hen" is a beer that's hard to find these days, but luckily I was able to find a place in Shinjuku where I could drink it. This kind of information is hard to find by searching the internet, but when you're drinking at a place like that, you can get recommendations from the staff and regulars. I really think word of mouth is the best source of information. So, I never drink alone at home. When I go out drinking, I always go with someone.

Word of mouth is important for both fashion and beer.

I think word-of-mouth and information passed on by people are important in fashion too. Instead of relying solely on information from the internet like social media, actually seeing things in person and learning from knowledgeable people is more realistic and deepens your own knowledge. When you get advice from others on brands, item selection, and styling, you can come up with outfits you never would have thought of. I think that's part of a stylist's job.

I learn a lot from customers, as well as from buyers. It's rewarding to see other customers happy when I share that knowledge with them. I'm also very happy when customers tell me about beer pubs that carry rare brands (laughs).


Nakamichi, who has skillfully blended modern and classic styles, receives high praise from customers for the styling advice she gives based on her own experience. It seems she is not only good at teaching, but also good at learning herself.

Because he gathers information in this way, he has the right answer for any question. Furthermore, he's a great listener, and his easygoing nature makes you want to share your knowledge with him.

Many clients who receive personal color analysis or body shape analysis® from Mr. Nakado later request his assistance with shopping, and this is largely due to his approachable personality. I highly recommend you try his consultation and assistance at least once.

 

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►A suit professional who transitioned from factory work to the apparel industry. Men's Attendant Noriaki Yamagata | Isetan Men's Staff Profile

Photograph: Tatsuya Ozawa
Text: Yasuyuki Ikeda