Resume of Style. Hisao Saito #14

Text:Kenichi Aono

Special Thanks:Suzuki Yusuke

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Whether it's fashion, music, or sports, there is a style that only each person can have in any genre. "Style is Everything." That's right, someone 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 first episode will feature TUBE's Saito Hisao as a guest.

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14. Getting ready to leave MEN'S BIGI.

When I was working at MEN'S BIGI, import brands and select shops were popular, and MEN'S BIGI restructured the brand without putting designers in the spotlight like it used to. I sent pattern makers to Italy to inspect the designs, and reformed the brand so that it could continue even without me. I also changed the location of the stores and made the designers properly understand the cost of clothes.

After a couple of years of this, I noticed a young man I was interested in at one of the trading companies I frequented, so I approached Sakata-kun (Masahiko Sakata, CEO of Archive & Style). I persuaded him to join the company by saying, "Why don't you work at MEN'S BIGI?" I told Sakata-kun, "Work twice as hard as other people. If you do that, you'll definitely become a leader." In fact, he worked hard and became like that. He became able to see things clearly and create things that sell.

Sakata-kun was talented, so I didn't have to say much to him, but the only thing I told him was to make sure to convey his opinion. When he was told something from above, he would listen to it and create something that would sell. But I didn't just want him to create something that would sell, I wanted him to aim higher. So I entrusted more and more work to Sakata-kun, and thanks to that, I didn't have to do anything in my last year, and I was able to quit easily.

  • A part of the notebook that Saito-san created by searching for materials and creating a collage. It's a valuable piece that gives us a glimpse into Saito-san's mind.

    A part of the notebook that Saito-san created by searching for materials and creating a collage. It's a valuable piece that gives us a glimpse into Saito-san's mind.

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Hisao Saito (Tube Designer)

Born in Hongo, Tokyo in 1945. He is the designer of his own brand, TUBE, and has served as an advisor and director for major select shops and brands.