“LucyPop”, A new kind of casual fashion based on Japanese school uniforms

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Design and Manufacuring

An Early Passion for Fashion

Futoshi Kamiyama
Chief Executive Officer
Futoshi Kamiyama

“Fashion is part of me, a part of human life that I can’t live without.” That realization came to Kamiyama while he was in middle school. Fascinated by the freedom for self-expression that fashion offered, he entered the Brother Sewing Machine Fashion Contest at the age of 17. Following that breakthrough, his work was selected two years in a row for the World Fashion Contest He studied design at Esmode Japon, continued to polish his design skills, and his work was selected for many other competitions.

Always Thinking Until the Very Last Second

Before going independent, Kamiyama had learned on the front lines just how tough the design business can be. Through that experience, , which became the foundation for everything he does, he refined the skills that he brings to his work. When working on a project, he is always looking for that magic moment, right up to the very last second, totally focused on producing good work and never settling for the easy solution. Since he believes that 100% is never good enough, his work is never done. He is always asking what the next step should be.

Developing corporate uniforms

Kamiyama says, “When a new project begins, I don’t think too hard about it.As soon as work begins in earnest, a mountain of problems will emerge. As I formulate my plans, I consider carefully what has to be included and what should be excluded. It is, I believe, especially important to hear what the clienthas to say in the client’s own voice. To produce products that resonate withthat voice, we have to think about them together. A designer does not work alone. The ideal is to produce work that reflects both maker and user perspectives. As plans become more concrete, we always hit what appear to be impossible obstacles. The ability to understand the problem and decide how to proceed is where we show our skill. We must carefully prune the unnecessary details in people’s thinking and ideas. To produce work that is both simple and beautiful is the job that designers are called up to do.”

Stylish uniforms energise the market

Staff uniforms always make a strong impression on those who see them. The might be called the company’s face. As soon as they are seen, the image of the company and the job is fixed; their presence and social significance are determined. If we press this logic to its limit, one glance is enough to turn an image positive or negative, to make a decision based on a minimum of information. Thus, we need to give serious thought to the meaning of wearing a uniform and produce a product with good fit and finish. As workers slip their arms into its sleeves, their professional switch is turned on, staff motivation improves, they are proud of their work. That is the reason for proposing a “stylish uniform.” At the same time, we can strive to maximize other merits for management (more ample worker benefits, improved efficiency, better performance, an image strategy, lower turnover).

Uniform consulting overseas

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Taking Japan’s uniform know-how, developed over many years, to other countries, we can supply skill in using uniforms to increase production efficiency, enhance corporate image, and recruit better personnel on both a company and industrywide scale.The concept of Japanese omotenashi (thoughtful hospitality) offers an opportunity to draw attention to Japanese business practices and the Japanese stance toward business. By combining uniforms that embody the spirit of omotenashi with staff training manuals that convey the same spirit, we can,we believe, develop new product packages with strong appeal.