Hello.
Mo
This is Takaesu.
A new brand that is attracting attention for AW25 is launching.
"Satou"
I am very happy to be able to work with this brand, which I have been keeping an eye on since last year.
First, I would like to introduce the brand.
A journey to find your roots.
The products, which are inspired by the designer's own memories, hometown, and roots, are made by Japanese artisans using traditional techniques and materials.
Designer Sato's products are inspired by his own hometown, memories, and roots, and he makes use of traditional Japanese techniques, culture, and craftsmanship to create his clothing.
-First time I've ever touched Satou-
This was the first exhibition I went to last year.
I remember being very impressed when I saw, touched and tried it on.
All the clothes had a nostalgic and warm feeling to them, and also a new feel to them.
Jacket and slacks made with a school uniform motif.
A pullover shirt jacket inspired by rust.
A shirt with a pajama motif.
Accessories made from Japanese bamboo.
The clothes were decorated with Mino ware buttons with legs, There were pins made of Tobe ware, and traditional Japanese crafts were used. As I will explain later, Satou's clothes also have a "back protector" attached.
It was my first time seeing Western clothing that incorporated Japanese elements, and I was very impressed.
What I've seen so far has been clothes from Europe and America, as well as items that have been adapted from those trends into modern pieces. It's very stylish and I still love it.
However, I think I had been looking outside too much and didn't realize how wonderful my home country, Japan, was.
Satou's clothes are real clothes that have been worn since ancient times by people living in Japan, made to be comfortable for people living in Japan, with a touch of modern, urban elements.
Satou reminded me of the greatness of Japan and made me want to learn more.
I am really happy to be able to carry this product at Mo.
-About "Semamori"-
lastly I want to talk about "back protection."
The Satou iconic stitching on the back is a design based on the ancient culture of "semamori" (back charms). This culture began as a talisman for parents to protect their children from evil spirits. It is a warm "charm" that expresses the love parents have for their children. Each and every piece of Satou clothing has a hand-stitched icon.
When we look into the history of backseats, we find that in times when medical care was less advanced than it is today, it was extremely difficult for children to survive, with one in three children dying during the Edo period and one to two in ten during the Meiji period.
When making a kimono, the left and right pieces of fabric that will form the body are sewn together, creating a seam called a "back seam" that runs along the spine.
People in the past believed that eyes had the power to ward off evil, and that the stitching on the back also had the power to prevent evil spirits from sneaking up behind.
However, the kimonos worn by babies are very small and do not have a back stitching, so mothers would attach talismans to their children to ward off evil spirits, replacing the back stitching.
That is "semori."
So mothers at that time began making amulets called "se-mamori" in the hope that their children would not get sick or have accidents.
I was able to learn about the historical background of this era. As a parent myself, I empathized with the story and remember feeling warm inside when I saw it.
I've seen a lot of clothes before, but this was the first time I'd ever felt this way.
I fell in love with fashion to look good. However, as I approach my 40s, I'm very interested in stories and the unique background of a brand. While it's nice to look at silhouettes and details, I want to put these kinds of heartfelt pieces in Mo.
All of the items arriving this season are like this.
Together with Satou, we hope to deliver heartwarming items, so please look forward to it.
Mo
Takaesu