Thank you for always readying and supporting our FASCINATE blog.
In a blink of en eye, our select shop FASCINATE started on the 11th of July 2007, has reached its 10 year anniversary today, on the 11th of July 2017! I am very happy to say that we could not have done it without all the support of our customers, makers, and other cooperating companies during this course of 10 years.
Since today's blog marks the 10 year anniversary, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to everyone and also look back on the past 10 years.
My aim and drive behind this shop is to 'Spread Japanese fashion and manufacturing to the world.' As a young 18, 19 year old, it was my desire to show charm of Japanese craftsmanship, along with the culture, fabrics and homogeneity that comes with it. I felt that the Japanese way had a fine grained approach that was not very present with European or American items at that time. I, myself, was fascinated with this world and appreciated the little aspects.
And that was how 'FASCINATE' came to be.
I remember the week we first opened, it was the start of the typhoon season. I was really sad as lot of the flowers we received as ceremonial gifts looked like they got trampled on as they got caught up by the strong winds and storms. However, it was of course not just bad memories. I clearly recall the first item that our first customer purchased; it was really the highlight of my life. I was so glad that I could really cry. I felt goosebumps as i went back to the office after the customer left. Mr Y, thank you for that first purchase, I will never forget it.
Of course the start was difficult, with not even 1 customer in sight, the store became more like my own house! It was not until I was fortunate enough to get to know the one and only DEVOA, whom i met in the 3rd season. Stuffed with a collection of only 1 shirt, 2 cut sews 1 hooded jacket, 1 tailored jacket and 2 bottoms, these 7 items. With his shaved head and strong piercing eyes, he said, "I have risked my life to make these items so please look carefully." Followed by a question, "Can i borrow this rack?" as he carefully arranged the pieces of clothes, one by one, explaining them piece by piece. That person was none other than designer, Mr Nishida.
He talked and explained about threads, fabrics, cores, sewing and patterns with passion and fire. Mr. Nishida, reminiscent of a genuine Japanese man that brought a great amount of passion to our hearts. It was an encounter that gave me the opportunity to change.
From there, I was completely turned into a DEVOA fan. With the foundation of the shop slowly but surely getting stronger, bonds with other makers formed like pillars literally holding the shop up high. The direction and concept of the shop was decided and the number of other manufacturers that we now have long relationships with like individual sentiments and iolom increased gradually.
In the course of trial and error, our customers that have always supported us along with the makers that formed communities, it felt more like a bunch of friends gathering at the store.
I still cannot believe how much this shop has grown, all because of the people i have encountered over these years. As someone who personally did not like other people that much, it was purely because of how much I have grown and made such good friends with both customers and makers, I would never have thought that such kind people in the world existed!
Although there is still a lot of things I want to write, i will try my best to to bore you with the details and stop with the reminiscing here lol.
Entering our 10th year since opening, there are no words to express my appreciation. Although it might be cliche to say, thank you to everyone, form the bottom of my heart, I truly appreciate it.
For the next 10 years to come, we will definitely be ever changing and ever growing. As you know, we have made a capital and business alliance with Y.R.H Co. LTd which is represented by Mr Kiba. For those who know Mr Kiba personally, I think you understand why we choose to integrate The R with our company; Mr Kiba is one of the most considerate and kind persons i know. We hope to learn from The R and better our services from the customer's perspective with full power by Y.R.H Co., Ltd and offer it to our customers of FASCINATE.
In the future, we will continue to devote ourselves to providing good products to our customers and continue to add towards the prosperity of the fashion world and culture, one step at a time, at the same time, making new friends.
We look forward to your continuous support and patronage, thank you again.
FASCINATE
Owner
Tsuyoshi Tokunaga
Lastly, a notice for our shop
In commemoration of our 10 year anniversary, we will be having special 'Limited 10 year anniversary' items from DEVOA (jacket), iolom (bracelet) and The Viridi-anne (down jacket) ! Although none of these items will be available today, please think of them as part of the AW17-18 collection so you wont feel like the these items are not here in time, lol.