Legendary Popular Brand from the DC Brand Boom "PERSON'S" Revives Its Early Line "PERSON'S SHOP"

Founded in 1976, the brand "PERSON'S" showcased a wide range of products characterized by vibrant colors and fun illustrations, based on the core concept of "brightness, vitality, and healthiness." Almost immediately after its launch, the DC brand boom began, and PERSON'S rapidly grew in popularity, becoming a central figure in the scene.

Now, in 2025, PERSON'S is set to resurrect its line "PERSON'S SHOP" starting from the spring-summer collection.

We spoke to two key figures behind this revival: Katsuya Suzuki, the director of PERSON'S SHOP, and Yoshiaki Daibo, who handles sales and other aspects of the brand.

Revived PERSON'S SHOP in the Reiwa Era

Initially, I asked Daibo about the circumstances behind the resurrection of PERSON'S and the meaning behind the brand name PERSON'S SHOP.

"The 'PERSON'S DESIGN・STUDIO' continues to operate the brand's licensing business. This time, I borrowed the trademark rights, and my company, 'RITZ,' where I work, is responsible for planning, production, and sales, with Suzuki's direction coming into play.

"Suzuki, who was originally a friend of mine, is the owner of a select shop called 'CCX' in Shimokitazawa, a collector of vintage PERSON'S items, and even holds POPUP events in his store.

"Impressed by Suzuki's knowledge of PERSON'S and the brand's intrigue, I reached out to him with the idea of collaborating on the revival of PERSON'S.

"In our discussions about the revival, we decided to use the name PERSON'S SHOP, which was originally the first line introduced by PERSON'S. Through multiple meetings, our enthusiasm for PERSON'S resonated with the folks at PERSON'S DESIGN・STUDIO, allowing us to use a brand name that had never been revived before."

PERSON'S as a Central Figure in the DC Brand Boom

Prior to this revival, Suzuki shared how he became a vintage PERSON'S collector, reflecting on the charm of PERSON'S.

"While I've always been interested in the historical context of Japanese brands, my generation did not experience the DC brand boom in real-time. Although we know of brands like 'Comme des Garçons' and 'Yohji Yamamoto,' we didn't have in-depth knowledge about them.

"As I investigated further, I discovered that PERSON'S was a central entity during the DC brand boom. Throughout this research, I encountered the remarkable diversity of that era's culture, which I found fascinating.

"The 'awkward vibe' that was prevalent back then is completely absent today, and I think today's youth will find it refreshingly new. Thus, I began collecting vintage PERSON'S items and now have around 100 pieces.

"The design's unique combination of American style and Harajuku trends seems to present a different interpretation of size and style compared to modern designs, making PERSON'S captivatingly fresh."

PERSON'S SHOP Spring/Summer 2025 Items

Next, let's delve into some of the items being revived under PERSON'S SHOP and the stories behind them, continuing our conversation with Suzuki.

"As we began the actual process of creating clothes for PERSON'S SHOP, we found that not many samples or references from that period were left. Thus, gathering materials to understand the old version of PERSON'S proved quite challenging.

"We have a brand book featuring products and advertisements from PERSON'S, which we used as documents, and I also referenced the vintage PERSON'S outfits I collected to guide our lineup development."

"The first iconic item I'd like to introduce is the 'Check Blouson.' This jacket is based on an archived stadium jumper made with flannel material. We collaborated with a pattern-maker from the original era to bring the essence of that time to life in a modern silhouette.

"The standout feature is the PERSON'S arch logo on the back made from the same material as the body of the jacket."

"There are also hoodies based on items from back in the day. Although the basic silhouette and design have been adjusted, what I want you to pay attention to is how the stitching around the hood is extended down to the neck area and crosses in a V shape, resembling a sweat stop design.

"I hope that younger generations will find it refreshing and that those who remember the old PERSON'S will think, 'Oh, I remember something like this.'"

Focus on PERSON'S Unique Artwork

PERSON'S has a dedicated illustrator who has created various graphic designs. Let's showcase some graphic items that convey the essence of PERSON'S.

"I want to stay as true to the original PERSON'S as possible, so I use the existing graphic designs while recombining items to fit modern times.

"The graphic on the 'P' Crewneck Sweat Shirt was originally used for a name tag, but I believe it represents the brand's character, so I translated it into a crewneck sweat that evokes vintage sweatshirts.
 
"In terms of details, it has raglan sleeves and triangular ribbed gussets under the arms. The material is soft, made from fleece, making it suitable for a wide range of seasons. This item has been treated with sand wash processing for a vintage feel."

During the DC brand boom, PERSON'S was said to have about 150 stores, which suggests it was quite large among DC brands.

Daibo said that as PERSON'S SHOP, "We will continue with the collection, but since the first collection has only just launched, I'm planning to gradually think about the next project."

PERSON'S SHOP, which supported the revived DC brand boom in the Reiwa era, is definitely one to keep on your radar for a wide audience.