--After fourteen years in the fashion industry with department store giant Marui, buyer and fashion professional Hideki Ishikawa returned to Mishima to carry on his family boutique.
Mr. Ishikawa, how do you feel about the fashion of the people here in Mishima?
People here in Mishima have a good eye for fashion. Many people here often head to Tokyo, Yokohama or Shizuoka where they can readily encounter every new style and trend. Even so, there are those who are unsure about how to best coordinate their fashion for work, their individual lifestyle or for those special occasions. That is where I feel I can be of help.
I am working to earn customers’ trust as an apparel retailer. It’s easy to say “That looks amazing on you!” but being able to say, “You know, that just doesn’t work for you.” is truly in our customers’ best interest.
Mr. Ishikawa, how do you feel about the fashion of the people here in Mishima?
People here in Mishima have a good eye for fashion. Many people here often head to Tokyo, Yokohama or Shizuoka where they can readily encounter every new style and trend. Even so, there are those who are unsure about how to best coordinate their fashion for work, their individual lifestyle or for those special occasions. That is where I feel I can be of help.
I am working to earn customers’ trust as an apparel retailer. It’s easy to say “That looks amazing on you!” but being able to say, “You know, that just doesn’t work for you.” is truly in our customers’ best interest.
Together with wife Hitomi-san
--Can you tell us a bit more about ISHIKAWA-LABO’S catchphrase “Building confidence through smarter fashion.”?
Clothing, when used well, can add real value to a person’s life. In your profession and daily life, it can be thought of as one more weapon in your arsenal. When misused, fashion can also dramatically lower your value in the eyes of others. That is why I believe my advice on what to wear and how to dress for the occasion can really benefit our customers. As an example, I can recommend what to wear for an important presentation to management, or for a big meeting with an important customer or client, to help make the best and most positive impression possible. Whether for business, pleasure or any other occasion, the right clothes can add more to your life and that is why we are here.
Clothing, when used well, can add real value to a person’s life. In your profession and daily life, it can be thought of as one more weapon in your arsenal. When misused, fashion can also dramatically lower your value in the eyes of others. That is why I believe my advice on what to wear and how to dress for the occasion can really benefit our customers. As an example, I can recommend what to wear for an important presentation to management, or for a big meeting with an important customer or client, to help make the best and most positive impression possible. Whether for business, pleasure or any other occasion, the right clothes can add more to your life and that is why we are here.
--We heard that you recently held a party for your customers. It looks like everyone showed up in fashion from ISHIKAWA-LABO and in your custom, tailored-made suits.
I wanted to throw a party and invite all of our customers and special friends. I wanted to create an opportnity for everyone to get dressed up and enjoy a night out in style.
--Now that you mention it, other than weddings, most of us have very few occasions in our daily lives to do something like that…
That is very true. I hear it from my customers all the time – “I love this dress but I don’t have anywhere to wear it.” So why not just make one! That is the story behind the party. It wasn’t just your average get together for drinks. It was a special occasion at a gorgeous venue. Another side to this is that having more events like this to get dressed up for and go to would be great for our local economy as well. Yes, we could do that in Tokyo, but I think it would be so much more special if we were to foster that culture right here in Mishima?
It would be great to collaborate with local hotels. We could work together and build on our strengths– beautiful ballrooms, extravagant dinners, and feeling great in a new dress or suit from our boutique! I would love to put together a team of like-minded people to inject that spirit and style into our community?
--Now that you mention it, other than weddings, most of us have very few occasions in our daily lives to do something like that…
That is very true. I hear it from my customers all the time – “I love this dress but I don’t have anywhere to wear it.” So why not just make one! That is the story behind the party. It wasn’t just your average get together for drinks. It was a special occasion at a gorgeous venue. Another side to this is that having more events like this to get dressed up for and go to would be great for our local economy as well. Yes, we could do that in Tokyo, but I think it would be so much more special if we were to foster that culture right here in Mishima?
It would be great to collaborate with local hotels. We could work together and build on our strengths– beautiful ballrooms, extravagant dinners, and feeling great in a new dress or suit from our boutique! I would love to put together a team of like-minded people to inject that spirit and style into our community?
--Both at work and outside of work, you are always surrounded by a lot of people. How did you come to meet so many people?
I left Mishima to work in Tokyo for fourteen years. When I returned four years ago, I just started going out to meet people and making new contacts, one by one. I had been away for so long that I had close to zero work-related connections here.
I left Mishima to work in Tokyo for fourteen years. When I returned four years ago, I just started going out to meet people and making new contacts, one by one. I had been away for so long that I had close to zero work-related connections here.
--How did you do that? Did you join local organizations and network through there?
Joining the Employers Association was one, but it was not the only place where I started. From the very beginning, I made up my mind to go anywhere, to every event I was invited to. As you can imagine, it takes a bit of courage to do that in an unfamiliar place when you don’t really know anyone. I was on a mission to meet people, simply because no one here knew me after having been away from Mishima for fourteen years. I was back in Rome, and needed to do as Romans do, if you will. I vowed to open myself up and jumped right into whatever I could, together with people I had never met.
--That is so impressive. I don’t think I could ever be as outgoing as you. Do you have any advice for people like me out there?
Everyone is different and has a different personality. I don’t think there is any need for everyone to do things like I do. One thing I can say however is that if you are going to do something, give it 100%. Be proactive – you will continually learn and grow from embarrassments, mistakes and failures. Everyone has a special talent for something – make your own uniqueness your strength and make it appealing to others. Don’t copy or imitate other people. You have to first figure out who you are and your strengths. If you haven’t realized what they are, don’t be afraid or embarrassed to ask those around you. They can help you find them.
Joining the Employers Association was one, but it was not the only place where I started. From the very beginning, I made up my mind to go anywhere, to every event I was invited to. As you can imagine, it takes a bit of courage to do that in an unfamiliar place when you don’t really know anyone. I was on a mission to meet people, simply because no one here knew me after having been away from Mishima for fourteen years. I was back in Rome, and needed to do as Romans do, if you will. I vowed to open myself up and jumped right into whatever I could, together with people I had never met.
--That is so impressive. I don’t think I could ever be as outgoing as you. Do you have any advice for people like me out there?
Everyone is different and has a different personality. I don’t think there is any need for everyone to do things like I do. One thing I can say however is that if you are going to do something, give it 100%. Be proactive – you will continually learn and grow from embarrassments, mistakes and failures. Everyone has a special talent for something – make your own uniqueness your strength and make it appealing to others. Don’t copy or imitate other people. You have to first figure out who you are and your strengths. If you haven’t realized what they are, don’t be afraid or embarrassed to ask those around you. They can help you find them.
--What is your view on the Mishima of tomorrow?
With all of the hard-working and active people here, I think Mishima will continue to rapidly change and grow. Mishima has a wonderful climate and quality people, and I know we can continue to build on that, with all of the other amazing things Mishima has to offer. One goal of mine is to increase the availability of cool, stylish products and drive their sales. Mishima has a huge selection of great restaurants and bars, but not so many retail shops and boutiques.
Imagine if we all had the chance to collaborate more? For example, those of us in the fashion retail industry should get together and produce our own fashion show? We are not working to steal customers away from each other. We would be collaborating, and utilizing our creative imagination, and together empowering our flexibility and unique approach to business. We are entering an age in which cooperation and partnership, not competition, is what will create the kinds of things our customer’s desire. We have to shake off our old assumptions and perceptions. Business owners and managers who operate based on false or outdated assumptions cannot expect their businesses to thrive. Customers, not to mention motivated staff are attracted to those who see and respond in new and exciting ways. And whether we are talking about customers or business partners, people in general gravitate towards those who can collaborate and work well with others.
Imagine if we all had the chance to collaborate more? For example, those of us in the fashion retail industry should get together and produce our own fashion show? We are not working to steal customers away from each other. We would be collaborating, and utilizing our creative imagination, and together empowering our flexibility and unique approach to business. We are entering an age in which cooperation and partnership, not competition, is what will create the kinds of things our customer’s desire. We have to shake off our old assumptions and perceptions. Business owners and managers who operate based on false or outdated assumptions cannot expect their businesses to thrive. Customers, not to mention motivated staff are attracted to those who see and respond in new and exciting ways. And whether we are talking about customers or business partners, people in general gravitate towards those who can collaborate and work well with others.
- If you weren’t working in fashion retail, what do you think you would be doing?
I love traveling abroad, so maybe working for a travel agency? I like making people happy, so I might be suited to something like that, though not being able to speak English is the hair in my soup (lol). - Do you have a special place where you can relax or come up with ideas?
Most of my ideas come when I am sitting here at this table by myself during the last hour or so before we close. I don’t have much time to myself during the day. And at night, I usually take a bath with my kids. I don’t know how old my daughter will be when she gets too old to relax in the tub with her dad, but it would be nice to set a new Guinness World Record (lol). I am most relaxed at home with my family. - Do you have any message for your past or future selves?
I’d like to tell my younger self to be a bit wilder and make more mistakes. Working as a sales rep and buyer at Marui, I was really well taken care of, looked after and surrounded by great people. If I had gone a little crazy every now and then when I was younger, I would have experienced a bit more of life.
Hideaki Ishikawa
Ishikawa Shoten, Ltd.
President, ISHIKAWA-LABO
1975 Born in Mishima
1997 – 2011 Marui, Inc., Sales and Purchasing
2011 Left Marui to join Ishikawa Shoten, Ltd.
2013 Named President, Ishikawa Shoten, Ltd
2014 Boutique Ishikawa renamed ISHIKAWA-LABO. Store redesign and remodeling by Shinichiro Fujiwara, Cambridge no Mori
2015 Opened online store ISHIKAWA-LABO. Began custom tailormade suits. ¥15,000,000 in annual sales.
ISHIKAWA-LABO
http://ishikawa-labo.com/
Interview by Miki Shiomichi / Photography by Miki Shiomichi and ISHIKAWA-LABO
English Translation: John Freeman, James Molloy
<New post | Old post >
Ishikawa Shoten, Ltd.
President, ISHIKAWA-LABO
1975 Born in Mishima
1997 – 2011 Marui, Inc., Sales and Purchasing
2011 Left Marui to join Ishikawa Shoten, Ltd.
2013 Named President, Ishikawa Shoten, Ltd
2014 Boutique Ishikawa renamed ISHIKAWA-LABO. Store redesign and remodeling by Shinichiro Fujiwara, Cambridge no Mori
2015 Opened online store ISHIKAWA-LABO. Began custom tailormade suits. ¥15,000,000 in annual sales.
ISHIKAWA-LABO
http://ishikawa-labo.com/
Interview by Miki Shiomichi / Photography by Miki Shiomichi and ISHIKAWA-LABO
English Translation: John Freeman, James Molloy
<New post | Old post >
