Articles

A Meetup for Men's Dress Enthusiasts: The Organizer's Vision for "Sebiro Sanpo"

2024.12.08

On November 2nd, an exciting event called "Sebiro Sanpo" was held in Asakusa. This event, which involves strolling through the streets in suits, sets itself apart from the formal atmosphere typically associated with the word "suit." Participants proudly showcased their dashing outfits and engaged in lively fashion discussions, all while having a delightful time.

We interviewed Toshihiro Yasutake, one of the organizers, to delve into the background of his fascination with suits and to understand the story and goals behind hosting "Sebiro Sanpo." It became clear that a fervent desire to enjoy fashion and revitalize the industry was at the heart of this endeavor.

PROFILE

Toshihiro Yasutake

Working in Apparel
Born in Fukuoka and raised in Sapporo, after graduating from Bunka Fashion College, Yasutake joined an apparel company in 2005. He advanced from sales to press, and ultimately became the chief of sales promotion, before taking charge of owned media as of March. His mix-and-match style, heavily based on menswear but with room for creativity, has garnered global attention, even being featured in several pages of an overseas book. He loves fashionable clothes, accessories, and interior design more than food. One thing he can't stand is "shrimp." Instagram

Captivated by Suits: Entering the World of Men's Dress

First, can you tell us about your encounter with suits, Yasutake? What sparked your interest in them?

It was influenced by a classmate at Bunka Fashion College. Despite being in the first year, an unusual classmate, two years my senior, happened to have a hobby of shoe polishing, and by getting close to him, I began reading dress magazines.

They emphasized following precise rules, like matching the color of shoes and belts or choosing the right tie for each shirt and the specific knot to use. Reading these made me feel that fashion wouldn't just be about personal taste, and if I mastered these rules, I could refine my style further. That's when I got hooked.

Did your perspective change when dealing with suits at work?

My mindset remained the same, but my taste was honed by seniors. Their attention to size measurement and sleeve and pant lengths was extraordinarily meticulous.

For example, when altering a hem for a senior, they'd suggest, "Make the right leg 0.3cm longer due to leg length difference." Such slight changes affect the drape of the fabric.

Does having strong preferences make a person's style more refined?

While hard to put into words, when someone is said to be stylish, it's usually because they have a defined style with a firm sense of what they like.

Suits as a Part of Fashion Enjoyment

What kind of event is "Sebiro Sanpo"?

For a long time, there's been talk in men's dress media and shops about creating places to enjoy dressing up. While looking for good ideas, I joined the Taiwan Suit Walk[1] in 2018.

I was amazed by the sight of everyone gathering and having fun in suits, and the impression stayed with me. Years later at a gathering with colleagues, we united with a "Let's bring this to Japan" message, and I still remember the moment vividly.

So "Sebiro Sanpo" is essentially a meetup for those who love men's dress. We wanted to create a space where people could freely discuss fashion, not just for our enjoyment, but to invigorate the men's dress industry in Japan as well.

Wearing suits seems to carry a stiff image.

While many events are organized by magazines and brands, having a commercial side can dampen the enjoyment. The intent can feel like, "One day, buy our brand," which makes people hesitant to join.

Beyond events, when wearing a suit, it often conjures an image of a lavish bar with cigars, which seems far from reality for many. We wanted to break those stereotypes.

After the walk, we carry on the festivities at a local izakaya

How does "Sebiro Sanpo" stand out compared to other events?

Everyone has their own hobbies, right? Some people love baseball, while others enjoy hiking. Just like that, we're passionate about men's dress fashion.

However, unlike other hobbies, it can be quite challenging to find fellow men's dress enthusiasts at school or work. Here, though, people who love men's dress and fashion gather together; it's the perfect place to build connections.

This is the fourth year (2024) of the event. How have you noticed changes in attendees and atmosphere?

We've previously hosted it in Tokyo and Osaka, and it felt like people were gathering based on the information we provided. However, the event in Asakusa this time was entirely different.

Previous participants had already become friends and invited each other to come together.

These were people with no prior connections, you know? Seeing this, I felt the community had grown to the point where it could sustain itself without us needing to manage it in the future.

The Future of Sebiro Sanpo

What are your expectations concerning stronger community connections?

I would like them to use this opportunity to hold meetups even when there are no events, and to have more conversations about fashion.

A slight chat spark might encourage someone to go shopping, or they might decide to get a new tie for the next year's "Sebiro Sanpo" or polish their shoes. Such actions would be delightful.

We plan to continue hosting "Sebiro Sanpo" regularly, and we hope many people will feel free to join while preserving the image we've built up to this point.

Participants always look so stylish in their photos, don't they?

That's something we're very conscious of too. We're working to create an inviting community spirit and a more stylish event atmosphere. At this event, we always take a snapshot of each participant with an SLR camera. This experience becomes something special for them.

I, too, have been photographed by international photographers at "Pitti Uomo," an international exhibition in Italy, and have been featured on websites several times. It makes you look incredibly cool. I want everyone to experience that, and when you know you're going to be photographed, you start planning your outfits about a month in advance, which adds more enjoyable fashion moments.

Each participant of "Sebiro Sanpo" receives a snapshot photograph

Are there any events you want to implement for "Sebiro Sanpo"?

We have previously held events in Tokyo and Osaka, but to invigorate all of Japan, I'd love to host "Sebiro Sanpo" in various regions. Especially considering that we had participants from Taiwan and Bangkok this time, it would be fantastic to involve all of Asia.

In fact, men's fashion is gaining popularity in Asia right now, with many young people enjoying it and looking fashionable. I wish to convey this trend to the Western world as well.

Would you say it has grown into an event recognized by people overseas now?

On that note, there's an unforgettable story with one of the participants.

A Korean resident in Japan, who is passionate about the world of men's fashion, once attended "Sebiro Sanpo" alone. Later, he posted his impressions on Instagram in Japanese. Check out his Instagram post here.

He said, "I was hesitant about going, but I'm glad I participated," and even added, "I want to work in the men's fashion industry because of this." Reading this moved me a little. As if it were fate, he's now working at the same company as I do.

I never thought "Sebiro Sanpo" could have such a life-changing impact on someone. This convinced me to continue hosting it in the future.

What is your vision for the future of "Sebiro Sanpo"?

There are many things I want to do, but currently, we are operating on a shoestring budget, so eventually, I would like to monetize it somehow.

While the organizers don’t mind working for free, photographers are participating just out of goodwill, so I want to create a structure where everyone can join with pleasure. However, as mentioned, I want to avoid any transparent motives, which is a challenging balance to maintain.

I hope those who read this article and become interested will attend the next "Sebiro Sanpo." It doesn't matter what style. Some come with more of an American traditional style, wearing baseball caps and knit ties, while others have a laid-back suit style or mode-inspired attire.

I wish to see more people from various genres, and if more people adopt styles free from rules, it would become even more enjoyable.

Note:
[1] An event where participants wear suits or jackets and stroll through the streets of Taipei.