[ Commemorating the opening of the Lardini Tokyo store ] Exclusive interview with the Lardini family

LARDINI” is now gaining popularity as a central brand in the Classico Italia world. Especially, it is known that it is highly evaluated by people in the tailored industry. On April 28 (Fri.), LARDINI opened its sixth store in the world, the first in Japan. With the cooperation of Lardini’s distributor in Japan, the editorial department of Otokomae Kenkyujo was able to conduct an exclusive interview with the Lardini family, who visited Japan to celebrate the opening, about the store information and design theme.

Lardini Tokyo Store Opening Inspired by Milan Store

OTOKOMAE

Congratulations on the opening of your sixth store in Tokyo, following Seoul, Busan, and Daegu in Korea, and Xi’an and Milan in China! Why did you decide to open the sixth Lardini store in Marunouchi, Tokyo?

Mr. Andrea Lardini

Japan is the most important market for us. Our main goal is to strengthen our retail presence in Japan. When we were looking for a property in Japan that would fit the world view of Lardini, Lidea Company suggested we open a store in Marunouchi. The atmosphere of the city matches Lardini, and I decided to open a store in Japan to convey the brand’s worldview.

OTOKOMAE

Certainly, the atmosphere of Marunouchi is perfect for conveying the world view of Lardini, known as the king of the Classico Italian world. As Japan’s economic and financial center, the city is also a gathering place for top businessmen, and it is likely to attract many Lardini fans. When did you first start thinking about opening a store?

Mr. Andrea Lardini

We had been talking about it for a long time, but it wasn’t until the end of 2016 that we started to make concrete moves. We opened the Lardini Milano store after Pitti Uomo in January 2017, and it was at that time that we received a proposal from the Lardini Company, and we decided to work together. From there, things progressed very quickly, and we decided to open in April.

Lardini Tokyo store features many limited edition products…

OTOKOMAE

Lardini is famous for its soft, Italian-style tailored jackets of the highest quality, but recently I have the impression that many items from other categories are also being seen. What kind of products exactly do you plan to line up at the Lardini Tokyo store?

Mr. Luigi Lardini

The Tokyo store will have everything from Lardini jackets, suits, pants, shoes, belts and other accessories, to fragrances. Some of the products are exclusive and only available at the Tokyo store.

OTOKOMAE

Thinking back, there are many stores that carry Lardini, but there has never been a place where you can see the total range of items. The opening of a store in Marunouchi is a great opportunity for Lardini fans to see all of the Lardini products. Can you tell us more about the limited items and pre-sale items available at the Lardini Tokyo store?

Mr. Luigi Lardini

The pre-sale is a suit collection using fabrics from the Canonico company. For the limited items, we will be selling highly functional set-up suits made of washable fabrics that are packable and can be carried around. This season Lardini is particularly focusing on ” EASY WEAR “. We focused on designs that can be used year-round, so we’ve adopted two types of coloring, navy and gray, and offer both two-piece and three-piece styles. Another item that you can only get at the Tokyo store is a pen filled with fragrance.

OTOKOMAE

So there are other exclusive items besides suits! Even in small items such as pens, I feel the design that only an Italian brand like Lardini could have. Do you have any plans for the store in Japan, such as what you are aiming for, or what you are currently planning or developing?

Mr. Andrea Lardini

First of all, I would like people to actually visit the store and experience the world view of Lardini, which has been opaque until now. From fall, we plan to launch a full-fledged tailor-made collection. While the patterns are soft and sexy looking, as is typical of Italy, the collection is made with a wool core instead of adhesive core, and by adding handwork to many details, the suits are even more comfortable to wear than regular jackets, and are made to fit the body. You can tell the difference in comfort and quality when you actually try one on. A made-to-order service by Smizura is also scheduled to begin in the fall.

The 2017SS season is a new season in which Lardini moves as a total brand. The concept theme is ” Colonial Vintage. The company is developing a total collection to match tucked-in pants. The “EASY WEAR” series, the new ” DEEP” jacket model, the Luigi Lardini capsule collection under the theme of “Colonial Vintage,” crew neck knits, and washed goat leather shoes are all part of this season’s transformation into a total fashion line. You can’t take your eyes off of them. ▶︎Click here to see the styling article using the Lardini collection.

Lardini Tokyo faithfully reproduces the atmosphere of the Milan store …

OTOKOMAE

You said that you designed the interior and furnishings with great care so that we could experience the atmosphere of the store that was born on Via del Gesù, commonly known as Via Vomo in Milan.

Mr. Andrea Lardini

Everything has the same atmosphere as the Milan store. We asked the same architect to design the interior. Thanks to them, the concept and the atmosphere are exactly the same. I hope you will visit the store at least once to experience the world of Lardini.

Lardini Tokyo store also offers Gabriele Pasini’s collection …

OTOKOMAE

It seems that the Milan store carries different brands on different floors; is this also the case for the Tokyo store?

Mr. Gabriele Pasini

My collection will be on display at the Lardini Tokyo store. Gabriele Pasini’s products occupy 25% of the sales floor. For the 2017 SS season, I have introduced my first brown color collection as well as a collection that boldly uses synthetic fibers in pursuit of functional beauty. In addition, accessories such as rings and key chains featuring the brand’s iconic skull motif, as well as sneakers and sandals, will make their first appearance. In addition to the new items, the brand is also expanding the variations of its popular 3-piece suits for the 16AW season, as well as its series of 3-piece suits with “exquisite mismatches,” in which a different fabric is daringly used for the gilet.

What is the origin of Gabriele Pasini’s originality and pride…

OTOKOMAE

Gabriele Pasini’s designs reflect his originality and sensibility, which I think is very appealing.

Mr. Gabriele Pasini

Every season, I take the atmosphere of countries around the world and incorporate it into my clothes. For example, the design concept for the 18SS season was inspired by the atmosphere of Cuba, where I actually traveled. The patterns of the buildings, the coloring of the ethnic costumes, and the overall atmosphere inspired my collection. The concepts of all my collections are consistent, so you can see Gabriele Pasini’s style in every collection. Inspiration comes from traditional crafts and sculptures, so each collection has a design that never goes out of style.

OTOKOMAE

It’s an interesting concept. It is fascinating to listen to Gabriele Pasini, who is an art school graduate and still teaches at an art school while working as a designer. You are currently partnering with Lardini as a joint venture.

Mr. Gabriele Pasini

Andrea Lardini had seen my collection on video sites and had been interested in it for some time, and Mr. Kando of Lidea Company brought us together. That’s how I started working with Lardini as a joint venture in 2012. It may seem like a coincidence, but I believe that the accumulation of my activities on my own has attracted Lardini. So it was a coincidence, but it was inevitable.

Mr. Andrea Lardini

He’s a nice looking guy, isn’t he? I fell in love with him because he’s so dapper. We love each other.

OTOKOMAE

So Andrea Rardini was also attracted to Gabriele Pasini’s charms (laughs).

Mr. Gabriele Pasini

I was called the Monster of Modena because I always looked at the pictures Andrea Lardini showed me with a straight face and never laughed (laugh). Well, in fact, I am a bit of a monster (laughs).

The Japanese way of dressing as seen by Mr. Luigi Lardini, Italy’s most dapper man.

OTOKOMAE

I would like to ask Mr. Luigi Lardini, Creative Director, if he has any thoughts on the way Japanese people wear jackets and suits.

Mr. Luigi Lardini

I have been observing Japanese people’s styles since the 1980s, and I think that many of them are able to pay attention to the smallest details of their outfits and clothes. The attention to the collar shape of dress shirts, for example, is what I find most impressive about the Japanese. I have the impression that they are especially meticulous when it comes to color matching. For example, they match the color and pattern of socks and pants. If you look for them, you will definitely find them (laughs).

Lardini improves the production environment at the same time as the stores …

OTOKOMAE

Compared to other Italian factory brands, your brand is outstandingly popular in Japan. If you had to point out a difference between your brand and other Italian brands, what would you say?

Mr. Luigi Lardini

One of Lardini’s attractions is the state-of-the-art facilities in our factory, which is 20,000 square meters in size, where all the processes are carried out. It houses a computerized warehouse for fabric decaturation, steam treatment, and automated control of inspections and reduction control, an automated cutting department, and other currently rearranged departments to optimize the flow of the production process. Please take a look at the video below to see what is inside this fully equipped futuristic factory.

All of us at Mr. Lardini’s dressing introduction!

As one of Italy’s leading brands, all of Lardini’s outfits are impressive in their coordination, incorporating the latest trends while subtly expressing the individuality of each individual.

Mr. Luigi Lardini’s outfits

Luigi Lardini is the founder and creative director of Lardini. This sophisticated jackets style is a two-tone combination of olive green and white, a color that has been attracting attention as a trend. For the bottom, white pants with classic details such as two pleats and a double-finished hem were chosen. The Philip model sneakers with thick soles on the feet add a stylish touch to the look.

Andrea Lardini’s outfit

Andrea Lardini, who was one of the first to discover the talent of his younger brother Luigi Lardini, is currently CEO of Lardini S.p.A. The royal suit style with a navy suit by Lardini. The choice of a navy pocket chief with a navy edge and a navy-based dot tie, which is one tone brighter than the rest of the suit, give off an air of sophistication. The choice of Italian quilted tassel loafers with brogues and braided detailing on the feet adds a playful touch.

Mr. Gabriele Pasini’s outfit

Gabriele Pasini’s outfit is chic with dark tones throughout. Wide peaked lapels are one of the characteristics of Gabriele Pasini’s jackets. The flannel fabric set-up is accented with a large scarf decorated with Gabriele Pasini’s iconic logo, the skull. The brand’s original thick-soled sneakers are also worn on the feet to complete the casual setup suit style.

▶︎Click here to see the styling articles using the Lardini collection.

Details of Lardini Tokyo Store

Name: LARDINI TOKYO STORE
Address: Marunouchi 2-chome Bldg. 1F, 2-5-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0005, Japan
Phone: 03-5224-3880
Hours: 11:00~20:00