The underwear brand HOLIDAY TRUNKS, designed for relaxing times, boasts Made in Japan "pile fabric trunks" with an exceptionally smooth feel. The realization of this comfort resides in numerous meticulous touches.
We spoke with Atsushi Bessho, the representative of NAGAREL Inc., the company behind HOLIDAY TRUNKS, about the brand's beginning, details of its items, and future development.
Encounter with Vintage French Knitting Machines
"When we started the company, we believed it was important to secure several pillars of operations, such as OEM production of clothing, creating samples for apparel brands, and website design. From the beginning, we planned to establish an original brand, but we felt that focusing more on product design, rather than just developing an apparel brand, was a better approach."The biggest reason for starting HOLIDAY TRUNKS was my love for trunks. I typically wear boxer briefs on weekdays and trunks on days off, using them as a switch to toggle my motivation on and off.
"I've always preferred wearing woven cotton trunks from brands like 'GAP' and 'RALPH LAUREN' and was on the lookout for other good options. However, the variety in trunks is limited. It was around this time that I met a knitter in Osaka who uses a vintage French knitting machine to knit double-sided pile fabric. Realizing that there were no pile trunks in the market, I thought, 'This is an opportunity to introduce something new,' and that's how it all started in 2019."
Original Pile Fabric Knitted with Vintage French Knitting Machines
"The manufacturer of this vintage French knitting machine went out of business after World War II, but three units were imported to Japan by the Osaka knitter. One of these has already broken down and, being an old machine, couldn't be repaired and was discarded, so only two units remain in the world."This knitting machine is designed for making double-sided pile fabric, producing a different texture from conventional methods and high-quality pile fabric with a superior feel. The completed pile fabric offers a completely different tactile experience.
"At HOLIDAY TRUNKS, we use this original double-sided pile fabric for all our items. This fabric is knitted with the finest possible yarn to avoid bulkiness, even when worn under bottoms, since it's an underwear brand. While traditional pile fabrics use thicker yarns to add volume, HOLIDAY TRUNKS maintains the thinnest yarn possible without sacrificing the softness and plush feel, a process that took about a year of repeated testing to perfect."
The Signature Item: HOLIDAY TRUNKS
Starting from the love of making trunks, the trunks named after the brand itself were crafted using satisfactory materials. Let's hear about their development from the launch to the inclusion of other items."My personal desire to spend a day off in nothing but trunks is the foundation of this brand. For instance, many of you might have been told by family or loved ones to 'stop wandering around in just your underwear,' but with HOLIDAY TRUNKS, it doesn’t feel like just wearing underwear even when spending a day at home.
"We use the term 'holiday-exclusive' to represent the brand, which encapsulates this idea as a main keyword.
"Initially, we offered two colors: black and olive. Now we offer five colors. The inside layer, which touches the skin, is made with longer pile threads, enhancing comfort. The softness surpasses that of a soft towel, so I encourage you to experience this sensation directly on your skin. Available in sizes S to XL, both men and women can enjoy our products."
Share Article
TOP ARTICLES
RELATED ARTICLES
