Resume of Style. Nobuhiko Kitamura #5

2025.2.12

Text： Kenichi Aono

Edit： Suzuki Yusuke

Be it fashion, music or sports, there is a style that only each person can bring out in any genre. “Style is Everything.” That’s right, someone once said that style is everything. “Style Resume” is a series of interviews with adults who literally have style. Updated every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, the sixth installment is the story of Nobuhiko Kitamura, designer of HYSTERIC GLAMOUR, who always lives with music.

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05. Get Paul Weller to pick up your wallet.

When I was in high school, I went to see The Jam's Japan tour at Nakano Sun Plaza. After the show, I went outside to smoke a cigarette in the parking lot behind the building, and saw a lot of fans waiting in front of the loading entrance. I didn't want to go around, so I headed along the side of the building, and the loading entrance door opened. The female fans all piled in that direction, and I was pushed over and dropped my pamphlet and wallet. Then Paul Weller came out and picked up my wallet.

I had a cut-out of Pete Townshend in my wallet, and Paul saw it and let me in the door. Bruce Foxton and Rick Buckler were standing there, still in their black suits. They picked up the pamphlet I was holding and all three of them signed it. I didn't know what was going on, so I didn't even say "thank you."

That's how I was immersed in music, but one of my friends from middle school who dropped out of high school to enter beauty school was working at hair and makeup artist Shinichi Nomura's "Atelier Shin". When I heard about it, I thought I might be able to meet my favorite musicians through work, so I decided to become a hairdresser after graduation. I chose to go to Yamano Beauty School. That was the only place I knew, and there were many record stores nearby.

This photo was taken during his high school days. It evokes the good old Showa era, when yankii, an endangered species in the Reiwa era, were commonplace.
With high school classmates. The fashion also reflects the era, and it is interesting to note that everyone is wearing shirts.

Profile

Nobuhiko Kitamura (Hysteric Glamour designer)

Born in Sangenjaya, Tokyo in 1962. Joined apparel manufacturer Ozone Community in 1984, and launched HYSTERIC GLAMOUR at the age of 21. Having been involved with music for over 40 years, he has many fans not only in Japan but all over the world, and is known for having close friendships with many musicians and artists.

Instagram @nobuhikokitamura , @hystericglamour_tokyo