Friday, February 24, 2012
You’ve built one of the most influential retail empires out there, where did you begin?
My first job was at Suzuya, I began on the floor then worked as a buyer. Â It was one of the most successful Japanese retail chains during the 70s. Â This all led to my current position as co-owner of United Arrows.
Has this influenced the way you experiment with clothing?
I always play when getting dressed, which really depends on my inspiration; one day I may be an 80’s musician in London, another day I’m a preppy Italian guy. When I followed the glam rock style I wore a bleached out denim jacket with fake snakeskin on the sleeve.
Â
Have you worn anything surprisingly bold lately?
I’ve recently started wearing Doc Martens boots.
What do you find yourself collecting?
I have more than 5000 analog LPs. It all stemmed from the Beatles, who I thought were not only amazing musicians, but also great fashion icons.
How has your approach to getting dressed evolved over the past 10 years?Â
I’ve become a bit more simple and classic, but with a little more of a twist; I admire the style of Fred Astaire and the movie Modesty Blaise.
Do you have a signature drink?
Sometimes I drink Single Malt Whisky, which I make myself.
Have you received any special heirlooms?
I wear a grey Cashmere Muffler that I cherish because it was given to me by my father.
Which shops do you visit when you’re in New York?
I always go to Odin and McNally Jackson Book Store.
Daily necessity?
Newspapers. I read three papers a day.
What do you wear when traveling?
Comfortable and well made clothing from brands like District and Engineered Garments.  I used to travel around with Dasco shoe trees, but I haven’t been taking them around recently.
Most underrated item in menswear?
The Alden Cordovan Plain Toe # 990,I can’t help buying shoes. Shirts and Shoes are very important for me.
Best sartorial rule to break?
Mixing seasonal fabrics, such as a linen jacket with a shetland pullover.
At a party in the islands one time, I advised an editor friend to wrap a sarong beneath his dinner jacket as his bottoms.
Best sartorial rule to follow?
Always be clean.
Natasha Fatah
February 24, 2012 at 3:11 pm
I’ve seen this gentleman so often on your blog, and he always looks so great. Love that he’s so fearless with colour!
xoxo
http://www.natashafatah.blogspot.com
Lauren@Styleseer
February 24, 2012 at 3:14 pm
I really like this man’s style. I’d love to see more men dressing like this.
http://styleseer.blogspot.com
Marcel Da Chump
February 24, 2012 at 3:26 pm
I admire his album collection…and his painterly skill in coordinating colors.
Tinacious.Me
February 24, 2012 at 3:34 pm
what a stylish man! love how he said he has yet to be caught in his pajamas!
Anthropologie Earrings Giveaway! ~ http://WWW.TINACIOUS.ME
Boxer's Adventures
February 24, 2012 at 3:45 pm
Yes, Mr. Kurino. What a great segment.
http://blog.boxersadventures.com
International Blog and Shop
Natalie
February 24, 2012 at 3:47 pm
Interesting post & great questions…
Visit the shiny brand new blog http://www.offdutychic.com & follow me to be the first to fond out when I publish my next post- a new look…
irene
February 24, 2012 at 3:47 pm
LOVE THIS:)
http://ontomywardrobe.blogspot.com/
http://ontomywardrobe.blogspot.com/
couturecoco
February 24, 2012 at 4:00 pm
Fantastic interview and he looks wonderful in every shot. I especially like the last photo where you’ve captured the line of his body in the suit – this is such an attractive feature on any male!!!
BreezeStyling
February 24, 2012 at 4:07 pm
Love this guy. I hope my husband looks like him when he gets older.
marliyn
February 24, 2012 at 4:12 pm
love the jacket, its awesome !!!
monkeyshines
February 24, 2012 at 4:20 pm
classy!
Bises,
monkeyshines
http://monkeyshines-monkeyshines.blogspot.com/
Stephanie
February 24, 2012 at 4:33 pm
He really has STYLE… that’s not common…and elegance is something you “wear” inside.
xxx
stephaniehadrath.blogspot.com
shbyhadrath.blogspot.com
Vale
February 24, 2012 at 4:46 pm
I love Mr. Kamoshita and Mr. Kurino’ style…
they are real experts ..
their style and their class it’s …
Charlotte K
February 24, 2012 at 5:01 pm
Perfection. Makes my heart skip a beat. Pure perfection.
Simon
February 24, 2012 at 5:54 pm
Great interview and especially great advice for my son who is just starting in the Japanese fashion industry at essentially the same level Mr. Kurino did as a young man.
Jane Alisa
February 24, 2012 at 7:19 pm
Great interview and really enjoy his take on clothes and style.
Http://janealisa.tumblr.com
Juergen Mügen
February 24, 2012 at 7:21 pm
What a cool Executive. He’s like a modern-day Gianni Agnelli
Daved
February 24, 2012 at 7:38 pm
He is one of my very favorite dressers. I love that you’re featuring him here, please try to work him into your regular posts more often!
Inés
February 24, 2012 at 8:42 pm
I wait your Style Profile post…Mr. Kurino…he has IT…!
Have the best weekend!
SimplyClassyMe.blogspot.com
Jenny Kozlow
February 24, 2012 at 9:34 pm
I adore a strong an inventive colour palette especially with a backdrop of grey and distinguished hair on a young face.
http://www.jkstylehunter@blogspot.com
Style Dilettante
February 24, 2012 at 10:12 pm
Fascinating. I never tire of hearing about how stylish people approach getting dressed.
http://www.inherentstylela.com/
une chatte grise
February 25, 2012 at 12:23 am
Love the look in the first photo–the excellent overcoat, the classic russet jacket, the perfectly-breaking jeans, and the old-school backpack (as opposed to a tiresome “it” bag) all work beautifully and unpretentiously together!
Ana
February 25, 2012 at 2:26 am
Hey Scott, one idea: why don’t you make a small intro to the profile you are interviewing? It would be interesting to those of us who are not so into the fashion world! Thanks!
Johnny
February 25, 2012 at 3:23 am
Really interesting, but somebody should tell him to change haircut!
bonnie, clyde and marni
February 25, 2012 at 3:58 am
love his style!!
http://bonnieclydemarni.blogspot.com/
Carole (NY etc.)
February 25, 2012 at 4:05 am
He is one of the most elegant.
maria
February 25, 2012 at 5:31 am
Apart from the beautiful clothing, Mr. Kuriono has that signature hairstyle happening. It’s a classic look that I love on a man.
Maria
macfer
February 25, 2012 at 5:35 am
he has style and elegance, love this pic´s!!
http://refreshingmywardrobe.blogspot.com/
http://refreshingmywardrobe.blogspot.com/
alexa
February 25, 2012 at 9:48 am
I love these profiles! Keep up the international ones & the non-european ones.
Nastya Said
February 25, 2012 at 1:16 pm
this is perfect, every look is so carefully chosen
http://nastya-said.blogspot.com/
ilegirl
February 25, 2012 at 1:17 pm
I love this man’s style! Inspiring to me – to mix patterns and weights creatively.
umanbn
February 25, 2012 at 2:16 pm
He’s a little different from your regular satorialist. I like his combination of vintage and new, and his use of colour…
myk
February 25, 2012 at 2:54 pm
that other japanese fellow who shows up on your blog, the dapper older gentleman with his own label (i’m sorry i forgot his name) but i remember one photo you took of him he was smoking and had a double breasted suit on- he is the bomb for an older gentleman. this guy is okay…
FashionUm
February 25, 2012 at 3:59 pm
Always wanted to know this guys name. Good article, really nice to read.
—
http://www.FashionUm.com
Show Your Outfit !
Courtney
February 25, 2012 at 5:34 pm
I love this post! Such an amazing and effortlessly stylish man.
Gerry Newman
February 25, 2012 at 6:46 pm
Mr. Kurino was one of the jewels from your lunch video. Thank you for a little more on his style .
I really love your blog.
Best,
Gerry
Mr Kane
February 25, 2012 at 7:19 pm
interesting post….
What a great segment…
What a great segment
Sylvie
February 25, 2012 at 10:21 pm
I look forward to interviews with everyone I saw in your great video! I love that through the video I’ve been introduced to these people but really want to know a bit more about them. ..and then you deliver just that. Just excellent.
claudio
February 26, 2012 at 4:23 am
Great interview, classic looking gent with a twist! Very nice.
Miguel Ramalhao
February 26, 2012 at 7:27 am
Loved this interview.
He is such a cool Guy.
I really love the japanese style, they take the best of every trend and style and mix it up with an amazing aesthetic!
localceleb
February 26, 2012 at 9:15 am
Very simple sophisticated style!
Love it!
http://www.localcelebz.blogspot.com/
Grey Fox
February 26, 2012 at 12:38 pm
A stylish gentleman – but how on Earth does he manage to make his own malt whisky?
Grey Fox – a man searching for style in middle age
http://www.greyfoxblog.com
tulip
February 26, 2012 at 5:46 pm
“Always be clean.” It’s funny that he said that – from the very first pic I observed how healthy and well-groomed he looked, and how anything he wore would look better on him as a result.
foofoo
February 26, 2012 at 7:07 pm
That’s my dad’s cousin!!
jacqueline
February 26, 2012 at 7:29 pm
total babe.
koolphoto
February 27, 2012 at 12:20 pm
Cool man…
http://www.fotoestudio.es
Zoe
February 27, 2012 at 4:11 pm
I LOVE the colours.. all very seasonal with a crisp block.. the glasses, shirts, scarves, tailoring and impeccable cuts.. very, very, well done.
Alienist
February 28, 2012 at 5:43 am
That’s how I like it, no boundaries and no rules fashion as an expression of yourself, feelings and personality. What an interesting character :)
antique engagement rings
March 1, 2012 at 2:13 pm
I love the scarf.. and yes no boundaries is my rule!
Pozycjonowanie Wrocław
March 12, 2012 at 11:22 am
I likewise believe thus, perfectly pent post! .
koreanJYP
March 17, 2012 at 6:51 pm
Humanism feeling good ! Classic
I am Fouad
June 5, 2012 at 5:50 pm
He set the trend, spot on…
Felipe DÃaz-Simons
October 12, 2012 at 11:06 am
I’m an absolut fan of this gentleman.
stylewaffle
November 5, 2012 at 1:26 pm
Mr Kurino looks interesting, his style is very easy to like. I am so pleased to have been directed to United Arrows….. a treasure trove of beautiful things that I knew nothing of… until now!…. Thank you.