7 Western Brands That are WAY BETTER in Japan | THELIST.

Summary

In this insightful video, Reggie Cas explores how Western fashion brands have adapted and thrived in the Japanese market, offering unique styles and collaborations. Brands like Champion, Dickies, Carhartt, and Levi's have gained popularity through tailored Japanese designs. The video also highlights the success of Nigel Cabourn, New Balance, and The North Face in Japan, emphasizing their distinct approaches and the cultural significance of their presence, making them better in Japan than in their countries of origin.

Takeaways

• 🌏 Tokyo is considered a global fashion hub, offering both Western and unique Japanese styles.
• 🏆 Champion has transformed its reputation in Japan, becoming a popular brand and a frequent collaborator with various Japanese labels.
• 👖 Dickies Japan has adapted its offerings to cater to Japanese fashion sensibilities, offering unique silhouettes and collaborations.
• 🧑‍🎨 Carhartt has embraced the rugged authenticity in Japan, with extensive collaborations that enhance its appeal in the market.
• 👖 Levi's has successfully adapted to the Japanese market by creating a line of denim exclusively made in Japan and offering customization.
• 🎨 Nigel Cabourn is highly regarded in Japan for its authentic workwear designs, with a strong community of enthusiasts wearing the brand well.
• 👟 New Balance has a long-standing presence in Japan, offering special models and collaborations that reflect Japanese sensibilities.
• 🏔 The North Face Japan operates differently from its Western counterpart, offering a more robust range of products with unique collaborations.
• 🛍️ Brands like The North Face and others mentioned have a different approach and design philosophy in Japan, making them feel like new brands.
• 📈 Adapting to Japanese market sensibilities is key for Western brands to succeed, as seen with the examples of Champion, Levi's, and others.
• 🔍 Japanese consumers are known for their commitment to fashion, which is evident in the way they embrace and elevate certain brands.

Q & A

Why does the speaker consider Tokyo to be the best city for fashion?

The speaker believes Tokyo is the best city for fashion because it has a unique blend of Western brands and their own distinct fashion styles, offering a diverse fashion scene that adapts to the Japanese market and sensibilities.

What is special about Champion in Japan?

Champion in Japan is special because it has gained popularity and recognition as a trendy brand, with collaborations with various Japanese brands and a unique style that caters to Japanese fashion preferences, making it one of the quintessential American brands in Japan.

How is Dickies different in Japan compared to other regions?

Dickies in Japan, known as Dickies Japan, offers a range of Japanese-centric silhouettes, concepts, and collaborations that are different from the standard Dickies offerings, making it a more appealing brand in the Japanese market.

Why is Carhartt successful in the Japanese fashion market?

Carhartt is successful in Japan due to its focus on rugged authenticity, extensive collaborations with Japanese brands, and its ability to maintain a strong presence in the Americano workwear aesthetic that is popular in Japanese fashion culture.

What makes Levi's stand out in the Japanese denim market?

Levi's stands out in Japan by offering a line of denim that is exclusively made in Japan, competing with other high-quality Japanese denim brands, and allowing customization in their newer locations.

What is the significance of Nigel Cabourn in the Japanese fashion scene?

Nigel Cabourn is significant in Japan because of its unique and authentic workwear designs that resonate with the Japanese commitment to lifestyle fashion, making it immensely popular among those in the know.

Why is New Balance considered better in Japan than in other regions?

New Balance is considered better in Japan due to its long-standing presence, special collaborations, Japan-only models, and a design concept installation in Tokyo that allows for experimentation and expansion based on Japanese sensibilities.

What is unique about The North Face in Japan?

The North Face in Japan is unique because it is operated by a different company, Goldwin, which allows for a more robust offering, expanded styling and design, and numerous collaborations that cater to the Japanese market.

How does the speaker describe the Japanese approach to fashion for Western brands?

The speaker describes the Japanese approach to fashion for Western brands as one that requires adaptation to the Japanese market and sensibilities, with a focus on collaborations, unique designs, and a deep commitment to the quality and authenticity of the brands.

What is the role of Squarespace in the video script?

Squarespace is mentioned as a sponsor of the video, offering a platform for building websites with various features such as email templates, mobile editing, and a video app, as well as a new members area for community building and monetization.

Why is the speaker's perspective on Western brands in Japan valuable?

The speaker's perspective is valuable as it provides insights into how Western brands adapt and thrive in the Japanese market, offering a unique perspective on international fashion culture and the importance of local adaptation for global brands.