The beauty of "rust" that marks the passage of time

The beauty of "rust" that marks the passage of time

"Rather than a perfect beauty from the start, I'm attracted to the way things change over time," says the designer of BARBER capes.

KEIKO has always been fascinated by rust.

Whenever I came across rusty metal that had been left abandoned for years on the beach, such as fences, metal fittings, or boat parts, I almost always stopped to take a look.

6.2023/Awaji

Whereas to ordinary people it would appear as simple dirt or deterioration, she saw "layers of time."
"It's like an object that decays naturally has an invisible story inside it. I think the color and texture of the rust, and the process that leads to that point, is what makes it a true design."

Decay Marks projects that kind of charm.

When new it has a neat appearance, but the more you use it the more character it acquires. Just like metal slowly rusts and changes color, the depth of time is engraved into it.

Manufacturing that will last for over 100 years

"Rusting" does not necessarily mean "deteriorating."

The BARBER capes from BarBer & Apparel Nakamura Shoten are made with the sincere hope that they will still be around for 100 years.
"If you use it for a long time, there will inevitably be parts that get damaged. I don't want to just end up throwing it away."
We live in an age where there are so many cheap products available that we have to replace them immediately when they break or we get tired of them.

Going against this trend of mass consumption, Barber & Apparel Nakamura Shoten's BARBER capes pursue designs that foster attachment.

"For example, after 10 years of use, the color of the leather will become more subdued and develop a texture. This 'aging' is what gives the rust its drama.

If you take good care of the leather and metal parts, they will last a long time. We want to value that.”

We envision the romance of barbers 100 years from now being able to pick up and use this product.

6.2023/Awaji

An explosion of ideas where art and tradition intertwine

This idea is by no means limited to "traditional manufacturing."

We visit museums and galleries to encounter works by contemporary artists and foreign art, constantly absorbing new perspectives.

4.2025/Kurashiki

"I have always been fascinated by the sudden innovation that occurs when traditional Japanese crafts meet Western art. As Taro Okamoto said, 'art is an explosion,' and the moment when completely different elements come together is what is most stimulating."

4.2025/Kurashiki

The essence of this is also present in the design of the BARBER capes. Based on the meticulous craftsmanship of Japanese craftsmanship, the color arrangement and logo placement also evoke the refinement of American Barber and the ruggedness of European industrial. As a result, it exudes a unique presence that is "somehow nostalgic, yet modern."

"When you look at the world, you realize how interesting what's right under your feet is. But if you only look at what's right under your feet, you lose perspective. By going back and forth between the two, you can really find a new balance."

Wearing a story

The BARBER Cape, born from this concept, is more than just a tool.

The leather, which is individually finished by craftsmen, is not "rusty" from the beginning. However, as time passes, through repeated wear and maintenance, the color and texture will develop into something "uniquely your own."

Just as people appreciate rusty iron pillars and old streetscapes, their users enjoy the small scratches and subtle shades of color. If the item still looks the same after 100 years, it is proof that a story has been told by the hands of those who continue to use it.

"I may have thought that rusty things were dirty in the past. But now I believe that there is something special about rusting. The same goes for BARBER capes. They have a unique character that can only be achieved through the long period of time."

Wearing this cape is not just an act of styling your hair, but an act of contributing to the noble work of a barber, who wears a story on his or her person.