Hideki Okisaka: Master '30s tailor !

[shindeco]

A (very) rough conversion is 1 cent to 1 yen so we're talking $2500. Probably a little less, in actual conversion but still, a lot of money.

 

[Wild Root]

Yeah, I thought so. I think I'll get my car painted first in that case.

=WR=

PS. Thanks for the info!

 

[LaMedicine]

This is the REAL Esky-

B
T

Not trying to hijack, but, BT, how is your little girl doing? Any updates
coming?

And now, back to the regular program.
So that's where the handle name comes from!! This person (his family name is Kato, it seems, since there was a note that said, "edited by Kato on...") must be a wealth of information for men's attire of the particular era!

 

[shindeco]

This person (his family name is Kato, it seems, since there was a note that said, "edited by Kato on...") must be a wealth of information for men's attire of the particular era!

I agree, LaMedicine. Would love to see him contributing here. Unfortunately, my Japanese is not up to his website (not surprising, since it's been 15 years since I really had to use it!). I was trying to figure out what was being discussed in the lounge but no luck.

 

[geo]

They also have a forum associated with the site. See under "Lounge Room", it leads to "The 30's Style Lounge Room". However , all the messages are in Japanese.

 

[pchong]

Hi I am new around here, strayed over from The London Lounge...and its nice here, and I enjoyed many of your discussions.

I have been peeping at the 30sstyle website for a while, always impressed with the suits, but always something which does not seem completely right with the balance of the suits, especially the single breasted peak lapel ones, though I cannot put my finger on what is not right to my eyes.

I contacted Shohei Yamazaki, the webmaster at www.the30sstyle.com, he speaks English - at least the email did not look like it was machine translated.

I will be in Tokyo from Feb 18, and have arranged to meet him to document the work of the tailor Hideki Okisaka. According to him, Okisaka-san does not have a shop - I presume that he is working from home. And offered to meet me at my hotel. I will take up his offer, and take some photographs to share here.

If there are specific questions members here would like to pose to either Mr. Yamazaki or Mr. Okisaka, please let me know.

Thanks.

 

[BellyTank]

Excellent Pchong!

Look forward to seeing/reading your findings!

B
T

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Pchong, thank you!!!

It's great that you are "going the extra mile" to meet Mssrs. Yamasaki and Okisaka. You're going to have a real treat. Many thanks for sharing your plans with us ... please take lots of photos and do tell both men about THE FEDORA LOUNGE. Okisaka's work in particular has lots of admirers here.

All the best,
Marc

[There is] something which does not seem completely right with the balance of the suits, especially the single breasted peak lapel ones, though I cannot put my finger on what is not right to my eyes.

I know what you mean. For me, at least, the single-breasted jackets are a bit too long and their peak lapels a tad too large. I find the double-breasted jackets more balanced overall.

 

[pchong]

Greetings from Tokyo:

Well, actually, I have just returned from Tokyo...and had a great discussion with both men. Mr. Yamazaki was accompanied by his lovely wife who did the translations.

Mr. Okisaka is not a tailor nor cutter, but a fashion designer who takes inspiration from the 1930s, and with a penchant for doing things the traditional way. He has reached a stage in his art, that he does not have the need to conform, but to freely take inspiration, and interprete it his own way. This is why the suits are as we see them in the website - strongly reminiscent of the 30s style, but with its own personality.

I will need some time to sort out the images, but in real life (cloth!) the SB peak lapel 3 piece suit worn by Mr. Yamazaki was breath-taking! Much more so to my taste than the DB that Mr. Okisaka wore. More later!

 

[Marc Chevalier]

We can't wait to hear from you! Sounds like you had an adventure. :cheers1:

 

[Mr. Rover]

Wow, Pchong! Can't wait to see more pictures of Mr. Okisaka's wardrobe.

 

[geo]

Can't wait for a full report. I like the picture of Tokyo by night. Wearing 30's inspired suits in a futuristic place like that makes one feel like in Fritz Lang's Metropolis.

 

[Maj.Nick Danger]

Now THAT,..

Very good with the details, very much like what Jorge in Long Beach makes.

Very good repros.

Looks like The Perfect Suit! :arated:

 

[pchong]

Am still sorting out the pictures...and writing...in the meantime, here is a photograph of Mr. Yamazaki. I had the photo sepia toned to create the 1930s look. He is a real 30s dandy...chosing his eyeglasses, wristwatch, to match the appearance. The cloth in this suit is deadstock, multicolor pinstripe on marine blue background. Enjoy!

 

[pchong]

BTW, here is a picture of Okisaka-san himself.

 

[Dusty Rhodes]

Am still sorting out the pictures...and writing...in the meantime, here is a photograph of Mr. Yamazaki. I had the photo sepia toned to create the 1930s look. He is a real 30s dandy...chosing his eyeglasses, wristwatch, to match the appearance. The cloth in this suit is deadstock, multicolor pinstripe on marine blue background. Enjoy!
Heck, lets see both of them in color!
DR

 

[geo]

That looks like a hat, at Mr. Okisaka's right.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Now those are a pair of dapper looking gents.

I'm with Dusty: Colour please! I really want to see multicolour pinstripe on a marine blue background.

bk

 

[pchong]

OK, so here are two colour pictures:

And yes, both men wore hats.

 

[Briscoeteque]

In the pictures on the site, I agree that the single breasted peaked lapels looked sort of ungainly, but in those two color pictures they really look fantastic. These are some of the nicest suits I can imagine. Esp. the 3 piecer, it just may be perfect.