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From Max Mara to a 'Nomo T-Shirt'! The Stories Behind Kumi Sasaki's Cherished One-of-a-Kind Finds
For Kumi Sasaki, vintage clothing is more than just a fashion statement.
Choosing and wearing pieces that have journeyed through time from other owners helps her define her mood for the day and even her sense of self. For her, wearing vintage is like having a 'dialogue' with herself.
In this feature, Sasaki shares the stories behind her most cherished personal items—recounting the moment she discovered them, how she styles them in her everyday life, and the memories they hold. By exploring the time spent choosing an outfit, the moment of finding what truly 'suits' her, and the sensation of wearing a memory, we delve into the 'essence of self' that lies at the heart of fashion.
PROFILE
Kumi Sasaki
Born on January 22, 1996, in Chiba Prefecture.
On May 8, 2016, she passed the audition for 'Keyakizaka46' (Hiragana Keyaki), the predecessor to Hinatazaka46, and joined the group.
In June 2018, she was appointed as the group's captain. She served as the center for '君は0から1になれ,' the lead track from their second album '脈打つ感情,' released on November 8, 2023. She graduated from the group on April 6, 2025.
After her graduation, she has been active in a wide range of individual pursuits, including appearing on variety shows and covering the Olympics and the MLB All-Star Game as an MC for sports programs.
A Special Feeling, 'Just for Me': Discovering Uniqueness Through Vintage Fashion
On the day of the interview, Sasaki arrived at the studio styled head-to-toe in vintage clothing. Her outfit, featuring a chic jacket paired with a skirt, struck a fine balance between sophistication and individuality, highlighted by a design with a subtle 'quirk' within its minimalist structure. The way she effortlessly wears pieces she has carefully selected with her own sensibility, rather than following trends, perfectly complements her poised vibe.'I think the beauty of vintage clothing is that it's rare to bump into someone wearing the same piece,' she explains. 'Because you almost never see your outfit on anyone else, a garment you stumble upon naturally feels special.'
She mentions that vintage pieces make up a large part of her personal wardrobe, but what first sparked her interest?
'I first started buying vintage when I was a college student. I wasn't working yet and was living off my part-time job, so the affordable prices were what initially drew me in. But the more I wore vintage pieces, the more fascinating they became, and I found myself completely captivated by the 'depth of vintage fashion.' After discovering the unique vibe that you can't find in ready-made clothes and the incredible range of styles possible with vintage, I started exploring all kinds of different stores.'
Sasaki is also known for being incredibly quick when it comes to shopping for vintage. The moment she walks into a shop, she instantly senses its vibe and scans the items, pulling together a complete look in a flash.
'Every vintage shop has a totally different vibe, you know? I try to figure out the aesthetic the shop is going for and then imagine what kind of outfit I could create with their pieces.
It’s mostly based on feeling, but sometimes an item just seems to light up, and I think, 'This is the one!' (laughs). But vintage is all about serendipitous encounters; everything is one-of-a-kind. That’s why I make it a rule to look through every single rack, not just at the items that initially catch my eye. I usually pick out the pieces that I get a 'spark' from and build a look around them.'
Stories Woven into One-of-a-Kind Pieces: A Glimpse into Her Stylish Personal Collection
The personal items she brought to the studio showcase her unique personality. From a Max Mara jacket to a T-shirt featuring baseball legend Hideo Nomo during his Dodgers era, the eclectic selection highlights Sasaki's impeccable sense of balance.
The simple black Max Mara jacket is a find from South Korea. It's a rare piece, even for vintage Max Mara.
'I found this jacket in Seongsu, a trendy neighborhood in Seoul. I stumbled upon this vintage shop by chance, and it was so packed with items that were exactly my style that I was completely captivated. This jacket was the piece I finally decided on.
Their collection was so impressive, and I even enjoyed the process of trying to decide what to get. It had a slightly different vibe from vintage stores in Japan, and that novelty made the whole experience really memorable.'
The next item she showed us was a pair of leather pants she discovered at 'CaNARi,' a vintage store in Nakameguro. What immediately captured her heart was their unusual deep purple color. Possessing a flexibility unique to vintage pieces, the leather is perfectly soft and conforms to her body, making them, she says, surprisingly comfortable.
"Purple leather is so unusual, isn't it? You rarely find this color in off-the-rack clothing, which is what initially drew me in. I also love the silhouette—it's roomy overall but tapers slightly toward the hem, and it really cinches your waist. This contrast gives it so much versatility; you can completely change the mood depending on the top you pair it with. It's a super useful piece that broadens my styling horizons.
Vintage pieces from CaNARi are polished but still have that authentic vintage character. I really like how they nail that balance."
This dress, purchased at the vintage shop 'CYAN' in Shimokitazawa, exudes a high-fashion-inspired aura. While simple, it has an edgy flair that instantly elevates any outfit. Sasaki herself calls it a favorite that she "wears all year long."
"I'm absolutely in love with the smooth, drapey fabric and the gathering on this dress. I might wear it on its own, throw it on as a light jacket, or unbutton it halfway and pair it with pants.
The longer hem makes it great for layering, which really opens up my styling possibilities. It’s a definite favorite—I wear it all year round, no matter the season."
Among all the personal items she brought, the one that truly caught everyone's eye was the "NOMO" T-shirt, an homage to former Dodgers star Hideo Nomo. This bold tee is a nostalgic piece that channels the excitement of his time.
"I bought this at a vintage shop called Zattou in Asagaya. It’s a Hideo Nomo T-shirt, but funny enough, he isn’t actually printed on it—there’s just this huge photo that instantly reminds you of his ‘Tornado’ pitching motion (laughs). That slightly offbeat twist is exactly what made me fall for it.
I found it while vintage shopping in Asagaya with Miku Kanemura back when I was in Hinatazaka46. In the summer, I love pairing bold tees like this with lots of layered jewelry, and I specifically wanted an oversized fit. Since I’m a baseball fan, the moment I saw it, I thought, ‘This is so hype!’ and bought it on the spot."
This elegant China blouse is all about the subtle details; at first glance, you might not even realize what it is. It's a piece that's modest yet shines with a touch of personality, adding a layer of depth to any look.
"I got this at 'SLOW' in Daikanyama. Whenever I'm in the area, I always find myself browsing the vintage shops, and it's rare to come across a white button-down with this much character. That’s what caught my eye.
I’ve always been a fan of this style, but it turned out to be even more versatile than I imagined. It has an elegant vibe, but it’s still casual enough to throw on like a light layer, which I love."
A Maturing Approach to Vintage Fashion
Sasaki's styling is impeccable, right down to the finest details. The large stone ring she wore for our interview, for instance, was a find from a flea market in Nice, France."My favorite detail is the heart-shaped cutout on the side. Flea markets are only held on certain days and at certain times, so when I happen to find the perfect piece at just the right moment while I’m traveling, it genuinely makes me so happy—I can’t help thinking, ‘It must be fate.’"
She clearly has a sophisticated eye for vintage, but she mentions that her approach to selecting pieces has evolved over the years.
"These days, I’ve come to value materials much more. Even if it’s vintage, if I’m going to bring something into my closet, I want to choose it only after I’m truly convinced. Vintage isn’t something newly created, and yet it somehow shows you a ‘new expression,’ doesn’t it?
I hope I can live the same way—revealing new sides of myself through the accumulation of everyday moments. I want to keep discovering the ‘new me’ within myself."
Whether it’s a one-of-a-kind piece she happened to find while traveling, or a vintage item that quietly shines in her everyday outfits, each choice reflects Sasaki’s ongoing dialogue with who she is right now.
What new version of herself will she meet next? Embracing change as part of the journey, she will no doubt continue to update her style in her own way.
Photo by Akinori Kawanishi
Text by Tajimax
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