27のベーシックを提案するプロジェクト“27” Vol.01

Introduction

“Wanting to create new basics” 

Greetings from Kozo Kawamura, founder of COLONY CLOTHING, a select shop in Singapore. I loved fashion ever since I was a teenager. After joining a select shop in Japan 22 years ago, I explored many different clothing through various people. I find attraction in the history and stories of clothes from around the world.

While I had met new clothes in a short period of time, I felt something was wrong as the latest fashion accelerated with the growing economy. In 2005, I had a strong passion of ‘wanting to create new basics’. I contacted Yosuke Fujiki, a successful curator and a friend. He has been in a creative field which is the arts sector. I have been sharing my passion and thoughts about wanting to create great quality and long lasting clothes to him. We reached a concept resulting in this crowd funding. 

When I love a material, I am able to to wear them for a long time. I want to create clothes that can be used for a long time and have a social meaning in manufacturing and distribution. We desire to create clothes presenting contemporary fashion in comprehensive ways. Project “27” is launched based on our long standing passion. 

 

“To recover the original power of clothes”

A total of 27 clothings for this project. “27” envisions the new basic clothing in the concept of ‘good material loved in the world, shapes formed throughout history and  colours worn regardless of race, gender or generation.’ 27 clothing will be created by excellent Japanese manufacturing which Japan is known for in the world. I want to propose comfortable clothing wear with my experience in handling various clothes in English tailoring and American mass produced products. Simple design in high quality materials and high standard sewing technology method will respect the character of those who wears them.

Have you spent your growing up with the smell of vintage clothing store or keen on the high culture and fashion? Gazed at the sky while sitting in a back alley, worn the same clothes continuously or do you shy away from fashion? Let  “27” spark a new sensation for you! The fashion cycle is moving rapidly now leaving humans behind. The original power of clothes has been forgotten in this fast pace. Project “27”  believes in reviving fashion and turning it timeless for all.

 

“Being just the way you are”

For “27”, fashion is not just wearing but allows you to meet people, not to be hidden but shown and to be the way you are. Project “27” envisions clothes that are simple, good quality and wearable for many years. It reflects the concept of wearers who wears “27” as being the way they are. “27” has experienced and crossed various fashion waves allowing us to propose the ‘New Basics’ as a universal clothing but still preserving the original human identity and character. We are confident to say that 27 items will be the epitome of durability, design and beliefs of one’s character even after ten years.

 

“To get robust and free style”

Why do we need to ask for a crowd funding? I have asked myself this question many times. We are not looking for an investment to establish a new apparel brand, instead we really appreciate to receive support and cooperation from you in creating a cloth.

Our clothes will not be on display in a store and will not be kept in a stockroom. We pride ourselves in delivering good quality clothes to the ones who really needs them. This represents the departure from the conventional apparel system with wasted stocks, sales promotion and challenges how we perceive the original value of clothes. 

We draw a future world by creating a new meeting of power through borderless fashion. To move towards this future world, “27” will tackle this challenging project in collaboration with a neutral platform = ＜READYFOR＞  creating a flat relationship together. We believe that “27” should not only be a cloth but also an idea that connects like minds together. Trend is from cohesion to releasing. It is time for change and to look into the world in a freestyle manner. 

We desire to create fashion for the future with the ones we met before, the ones to meet in the future and the ones born in the future. We deeply appreciate and thank you for your support.

 

Product specification

Project “27” will involve pieces that will be added gradually and completes off with a total of 27 items. It will take some time and the release will be 3 to 5 items per year and will be made available via ＜READYFOR＞  platform. Each item comes with a unique printed lot number (manufacturing numbers) making each piece exclusive.

The first item to spearhead this project is a simple grey T-shirt (mixed gray). The T-shirt is an essential item for everyone regardless of any race, gender and generation. First widely regarded as an inner wear, the influx of material and designs appearing in 20th to 21st century has made this a fashion item. T-shirt is no longer just recognised in fashion but as a piece of one’s expression. What T-shirt is the most appropriate to express “27”? We have considered and will create this T-shirt.

Firstly, we expanded the body width of the T-shirt to signify the universal shape of a square. This allows us to wear them as an outer instead of just an inner wear. In addition, the usage of contemporary and comfortable materials manufactured by recycling cotton fallen in the process of manufacturing threads. Fallen cotton contains short fibre and the threads have natural irregularity. This is one of the sustainable fabric attracting many fashion enthusiasts for almost 30 years since its first launch due to its comfort and vintage feel.

We adopt an unusual manufacturing process; shrinking the thread first, sewing it after and washing it again to maintain the soft touch and to reduce shape loss. The contemporary pattern and high quality materials are manufactured through the best Japanese sewing technology and we believe this “27” T-shirt, will be an essential wardrobe piece that is easily coordinated and will be loved for many years to come.

＊ “27” items are unisex.

 

Concept Book

Project “27” line is constructed with great care and detailing reflecting the concept of ‘Minimum Closet’ by the passion of many people involved in the design, manufacturing process and many more. We will issue a concept book as 'reading clothes' with every item purchased (a total of 27 books) allowing you to understand the uniqueness in every piece that was created through our burning passion and ideas. Fujiki contacted Satoshi Tsuruta, writer and Koji Miyazoe, graphic designer. Fujiki trusts both of them, to involve them for creation of concept books for this project.  We imagine that we are able to express “something” inside “27” by “intangible” way other than “tangible” clothes with sentences of Tsuruta who has challenged expressing fashion in word, and graphic design of Miyazoe who has created various books. 

For every purchase, the concept book explaining the uniqueness and exclusivity of the piece will be delivered to you. The book passes “27” different worlds with various people, too. In Vol. 1, it will feature the T-shirt with photos from Daido Moriyama, International Photographer. What world will be created with a simple grey T-shirt (mixed grey) through the lens of Daido Moriyama? Stay tune.

 

27 – Mixed grey T-shirt

Date of Issue: End of December, 2020 (Target Date)

Photography: Daido Moriyama

Author: Satoshi Tsuruta

Translation: Emiko Sakashita

Book Design: Koji Miyazoe

Editor: Yosuke Fujiki

Issuer: Kozo Kawamura

Issue: 27

＊Your name will be printed on the concept book for every purchase of “27”.
＊Concept book is complimentary with any purchase of the “27” line. 
(NOT FOR SALE)

 

Profiles
 

Kozo Kawamura / Director of “27”

Born in 1975 in Yamaguchi, Japan. Founder of COLONY CLOTHING and director of “27” was, Japan. He started his career joining BEAMS, a popular Japanese select shop in 1998 while he was still enrolled in University. During his 15 years at BEAMS, he dedicated his time as a Store Manager; planning and managing various domestic brands including “27”, as well as leading BEAMS English Bespoke order services and Artisans. Responsible for the planning and operations for “27”, he was very passionate.
After leaving BEAMS in 2013, he ventured to Singapore establishing COLONY CLOTHING select shop under NOMADE PTE. LTD. COLONY CLOTHING’s designs is well received in Singapore and has gained popularity in many select shops in Japan and Italy.
He expanded his vision and creativity into design consultations, working with numerous local and international brands to strengthen and revolutionize fashion and retail business in Singapore. 

 

Yosuke Fujiki / Curator

Born in 1978 in Hiroshima, Japan. He self-educated himself in Art as a past time while attending school during his youth. For 15 years, he has been vigorously planning exhibitions for artists of various genres in Japan galleries and museums as well as overseas. A Photographer Seiji Shibuya ‘A Child’ (Japanese magazine, Bunngeishunju in 2017)
Collection of Poems of Kenichi Asai ‘Scent of Universe’ (BEAMS, 2018) 
Photo Book of Mr. Ryo Owada ‘R’(Kesa Publishing, 2020)
In addition, he is involved in planning, writing and editing of many books. He is looking  forward to launch ‘YOSUKE FUJIKI VAN GOGH Co., Ltd.’.

 

 

Preview of Vol. 02

The second item to be produced by “27” is chino pants. Widely known as an essential wardrobe piece for many, this chino will be the best one yet made the “27” way. We hope you are excited as we are awaiting for this.

★ Plan date for Release： January 27th , 2021

★ ”27” IG Live -Future of 10 years ago
Every 27th of the month, there is IG live broadcasting from 22:00 (JPN time). 
Do refer here for more details of the project.

Instagram Live account

@kozo_kawamura /  @fujiki.yosuke

 

 For any information for “27” please see below;

27 Instagram account
@27_clothing_

 

Termination conditions for this project
・Products 
clothes
・Date of completion 
By January 31st , 2021
・Production quantity