DESCENDANT

In the late ‘80s, the Grateful Dead released the album “In the Dark.” I can still remember the fleece they wore in their music videos from that time.

In the outdoor live footage, when it got colder, the members started to layer up. I think Jerry Garcia was wearing an A-2 flight jacket and one of the other members was wearing a pullover fleece with snap buttons, which various outdoor brands offered at that time and looked really cool to me. When I was young, I didn’t know when to wear fleece, so I didn’t really incorporate it into my fashion, but when I saw the Dead’s music video, I realized outdoor brands were meant to be worn when it’s cold. (Laughs) At that time, I realized it’s even cool for older men to wear them. Fleece finally made sense to me when I understood when to wear it.

HUMMING FLEECE PULLOVER CABALLO NYLON JACKET

TEE FLEECE JACKET HUTTE FLEECE LS SHIRT

I used to go to New York a lot back in the early ’90s and bought a mango red fleece at the long-established Paragon Sports store. I think I chose this color because I wanted a color that no one else was wearing. I still have it, but compared to those days, don’t you think there are fewer and fewer good fleeces available? That’s why DESCENDANT created an original fabric, a chance to reproduce the textures of that time, such as its fluffiness and firmness. I wanted to give a sense of the times, so I made several pieces in exquisite colors. These types of colors are not colors you would typically use unless you really like them. Just thinking the colors are “OK” is not enough to incorporate them. The pullover has a color scheme for the piping tape and trims that I decided on based on my memories of the time. It wouldn’t be fun if I kept everything the exact way it was back then, it feels right if it’s a little off.

ASMIL NYLON JACKET CLIMASHIELD HORIZON FLEECE VEST

HORIZON FLEECE CREW NECK HORZON FLEECE TROUSERS

We created nine items this season, just from fleece, including three pullovers, a reversible blouson, but with a quilted lining and a Harrington jacket out of fleece. I think the pullover vest would be fun to wear and the fleece pants turned out great too.

BURY ZIP FLEECE
SHIP KNIT HEAD BAND

Spoken by Tetsu Nishiyama