Why does Mr. Tomoyoshi Takada of colony clothing use SOLOTEX® for its luxury resort wear?

The colony clothing brand specializes in apparel with the feel of luxury resorts tailored for jetsetters.

Established in 2014 as a select shop based in Singapore, colony clothing launched its original brand in 2015. Since 2019, this brand has also been sold at nano･universe, Isetan Men’s and the Isetan Haneda store.

With a sense of relaxation and luxe, the brand not only selects textiles from such long-established manufacturers as Spence Bryson in Ireland but also uses such highly functional textiles as denim woven by blending SOLOTEX^® with cotton from the USA.

In order to know the intentions of the brand, we interviewed Mr. Tomoyoshi Takada, who serves as the creative director of colony clothing after having worked for the men’s dress division of BEAMS as a staff member and a buyer.

What is the concept of colony clothing?

As a brand based in Singapore, colony clothing focuses on two major concepts: we make clothing for jetsetters who travel around the globe, and we offer styles inspired by luxury resorts to match the climate and color of Singapore.

Since colony clothing is not only a brand but also a select shop, we offer dresswear and classic items by procurement; as an original brand, we offer more casual apparel.

We specialize in casual mix styles made of high-quality materials, such as American sports casual wear made of British wool and coach jackets using the Irish textiles from the UK.

Why were you attracted by the luxury brand from Singapore?

I was attracted to the unique scenery of Singapore where colorful buildings called shop houses and modern high-rise buildings stood side by side, with Malay culture combined with Chinese residents’ culture, behind which there were various cultures as the hub of Asia.

At the same time, Singapore’s climate is like summer in Japan all year round. Temperatures in the warmer season are around 30 degrees Celsius, and even in the rainy season, temperatures are around 20 degrees Celsius. So, the people there had very little interest in fashion before, but they became increasingly interested in recent years; therefore, I saw potential.

What has been your impression of SOLOTEX^®?

I had known that the material was a very stretchy textile, but to tell the truth, I did not have many opportunities to experience it in the previous workplace because I was in charge of dresswear. In designing items for release in the fall-winter season of 2020, I had an opportunity to use SOLOTEX^® as a material to enhance functionality, and until then, I had not thought that it had very many variations. SOLOTEX^® has a variety of different functions as well as a wide variety of textures. I was very surprised at that.

Talk about the items for the 2020 autumn-winter season. First, please discuss the jackets and pants.

The jackets and pants are designed to have a relaxing feel with a boxy silhouette and detachable buttons while incorporating the details of tailored clothing.

The textile has a cavalry twill appearance with pronounced ridges, which looks like a natural material; however, the stretchy textile is blended with SOLOTEX^®, so I think it will match casual items like T-shirts.

These mock neck sweaters look elegant and, at the same time, sporty.

Since the sweaters also use SOLOTEX^®, they are stretchy, quick-drying, and very water-repellent from later additional processing. So, I think it is excellent to wear them in Singapore where the rainy season is between October and March. They help to regulate body temperature with the shirred hem, and the zipper pockets on the sides are easy to use.

We hear that you are going to release coordinates made of denim blended with SOLOTEX^® for the 2021 spring-summer season.

By using SOLOTEX^® blended with cotton denim made in the USA, the items are more comfortable to wear but do not lose the rugged look. The three-dimensional pockets of the safari jacket maintain the bulgy shape well from the blended SOLOTEX^®. The jacket does not limit movement even if you put on the right size because it is stretchy, which is another advantage.

The silhouette of the pants is straight with no crease. They are very stretchy, and with the shirring at the back of the waist, you do not need a belt. In addition, the pants have side adjusters to let out the waist when traveling or relaxing.

What are your plans for the future and requests for SOLOTEX^®?

SOLOTEX^® is a good material because it holds its shape well despite the stretchiness and does not lose the rugged feel even when used with denim. Moreover, I see potential in the use of SOLOTEX^® for the materials of sweatsuits. Textiles blended with the stretchy SOLOTEX^® can prevent hole in the knees of pants and is effective for holding the shape well and not looking shabby, so I think apparel using SOLOTEX^® could be useful for remote work.

As for dresswear, natural materials are still placed above anything else; therefore, it is rather difficult to use synthetic fibers. I would like to deliver the advantage of SOLOTEX^® to users through luxury resort apparel to break the barriers between casual wear and dresswear.

We are currently working with Teijin Frontier to develop more comfortable and functional materials, starting with textiles for shirts. Though functionality is important for materials, I think high quality looks would be also required for being recognized globally.