Wednesday
Dec162009
Studio Visit: Daiki Suzuki
Posted on 
December 16, 2009 by Ryan Willms
December 16, 2009 by Ryan Willms 
Sure, we did visit Mr. Suzuki at the New York Nepenthes offices, but this time Stan Parish of GQ made the trip. The report offers some insight into Daiki's day and his long hours in the studio. Designing your own collection as extensive as Engineered Garments is harder than any job I can imagine, but Mr. Suzuki does two which is well beyond normal. He speaks on his recently found passion for surfing and it's effect and inspiration on Woolrich Woolen Mills SS10 collection specifically. It's one of my favorite collections from the upcoming season and unsurprisingly Daiki Suzuki is one of my favorite designers. It's always interesting to get another peek into the office and to hear about the little things that shape and form the products we love in the end.
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A Day with Daiki
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How he starts his day: I get a cup of coffee on the corner, first thing in the morning. I check emails at my desk, maybe do some paperwork. And when I’m ready, I just come here. This round table is where all the planning and designing happens.
Where he got it: I got the table off the street about 10 years ago in Tribeca. I was drunk, and I was walking after midnight, and I saw this table. It was so heavy, we needed three people, so I got two friends of mine, and the three of us loaded it up. Ever since, it’s been the planning table.
What he does there: I draw most of the time. Before the process I have so many ideas, but the hard part is how you pick things, and put them together to make them look like what you want. In the beginning it’s really busy inside the brain, but you’re not actually moving anything; it’s working, but it doesn’t really look like working.
Working tunes: Today it’s classical, but sometimes it’s ’70s American rock. I love music from England; I was really into New Wave. I still go see Echo and the Bunnymen. Those guys are still doing great.
How he gets is all done: I come here very early in the morning, when no one is around. There’s a good two hours with maybe one other person here. After 5:00 or 6:00 p.m., everybody leaves, so I get two or three hours that I can be here alone. I actually come here every weekend, too. I go surfing in the morning and then I come back in the city around 12 or 1 o’clock. I shower, get dressed, and come up here. I stay all night—sometimes I fall asleep here, if I’ve used too much energy in the water.
Where he surfs: Long Beach, NY. Me and my friends get together at 5:00 in the morning, get out there at 6:30, watch the sun come up, and jump in the water.
Why he surfs: It’s becoming a bigger and bigger thing for me. When you work like this, you need a break. Just to go out there, and be in the ocean, is really great for me. I can’t live without it now. I work so hard on the weekdays, but I’m always thinking about the weekend, and how the waves are going to be. I never surfed until last summer, but I love the culture, the fashion. I grew up in Japan in the 1970s and at that time we got so much inspiration from the states. Everything was new to us. One of the first things that came from the states was a west coast lifestyle like skateboard and surfing—the pocket tee shirts, the Ocean Pacific corduroy shorts, and windbreakers. All those kind of things. What I did for Woolrich for next spring was based on what I remember from my teenage years.
Reader Comments (12)
really, really great content. Very interesting man.
two of my favorite clothing lines, just so happen to be run by the same designer.
^If you think that's good, you better get a copy of Inventory!
nice little read
Issue 2 of The Rig Out features a photostory visit to the EG studio with a short Q&A with Mr Suzuki.
OUT NOW!
Glenn, where is it? I want to get my hands on it.
I'll make sure you guys get a copy!
Simon fixed me up with a copy of Inventory a couple of weeks back, you've set a high benchmark. Respect.
My mom lives out in Long Beach and I'm out there pretty often. It would be a trip to see some swagged out Asians rolling through at 6:00am to a town of spray tans, juicy sweatpants and pooka necklaces.
You crawler Kitson.
Down to earth, effortless cool... now heading towards the sea!
Great stuff. Would have loved to see an actual video of this Interview and studio. Pretty cool opportunity to get to know how one of menswear's best ticks. Thanks
To admin,
no doubt, i actually already picked it up, such a fantastic publication. It's obvious when reading the magazine that you all have a passion for the lifestyle. The styling is also top notch, especially from OP and RW. I'm anxiously awaiting next issues' feature on Beams. Please keep up the fantastic work. (and let me know if you're looking for an intern, I'd love to learn the ropes)..