2023.06.01

The World's Finest Hanger Crafted by Artisans: NAKATA HANGER

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We all have clothes that we love and want to continue to use for many years. To that end, we often send our clothes to be cleaned regularly and brush them to keep them looking their best. Of course, we also pay attention to aspects like humidity and keeping pests away. But there's something else we also need to consider.

Take a look inside your own closet. Just like a packed train, are your jackets and coats crammed tightly together, losing their shape? Even if that's not the case, many people will continue to use the wire hangers from the cleaners or increase storage by using slim hangers.

Stepping in to suggest a change is Shuhei Nakata, CEO of Nakata Kogei Co., Ltd.. Asserting that "the best shape for clothing is as it would be when a person is wearing it," Nakata is spreading the appeal of the hanger as the 'place where clothes return'. We asked him about the growth and current activities of a company that has become synonymous with 'hangers'.

PROFILE

Shuhei Nakata

Born in 1978. Graduated from the University of Arizona's School of Business, then started working in New York. Joined Nakata Kogei in 2007. That same year, launched the NAKATA HANGER brand and opened a showroom in Aoyama, Tokyo. He didn't just continue selling hangers to the apparel industry; he also opened up a new market for home and gift hangers. Since becoming the third generation CEO in 2017, he has been proactive in expanding his business overseas, hosting events in places like London and Hong Kong.

The beginning of hanger making

First, could you tell us how you began making hangers?

My great-grandfather, Yotaro, started a general store in 1917. I heard that my grandfather, Toshio, took over and started making hangers when he met a hanger craftsman named Moriyama.