Artwork by "FrontDoorOffice.ink" has been dropped onto a must-have winter item: a hoodie.
hoodie G
¥8,590JPY
hoodie
¥10,590 JPY
Parker B
¥8,590JPY
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This article is a record of a conversation between Nakamura and designer KEIKO that took place as a result of the creation of the hoodie currently on sale.
FrontDoorOffice.ink is the name of the project under which Barber Cape designer KEIKO creates artwork and apparel, inspired by the ideas that arose while designing Barber Capes. The name was born from the workspace located at the entrance.
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*Since this article is in dialogue format, comments are color-coded.
Nakamura:
Tell us a bit about this parka.
You didn't decide from the beginning to make a hoodie, did you?
KEIKO:
I agree.
What came to mind at first was not the type of clothing, but rather the feeling I had when designing.
Nakamura:
What is that feeling?
KEIKO:
When I think about it, whenever I create something, I always start by asking myself, "Why?"
Since when has that been the case?
When I was a child, I enjoyed the idea of wondering "why?"
There were no smartphones back then, so I wrote down my questions in a notebook.
It was called "Nande-Nande Note." It was a revolution (laughs).
It was a notebook with a simple name, but I still remember how it felt like I had a second brain.
Was that notebook meant to provide an answer?
No. I didn't care if I didn't find the answer, I was a child and the time I spent writing was fun in itself. Anyway, I wrote down anything that I was curious about.
Even if you weren't coming up with an answer, wasn't it pretty difficult to keep writing things down in a notebook?
It wasn't difficult at all at the time.
Rather, I felt like I couldn't help but write it.
But as I grew older, that time gradually decreased.
Still, it was strange, and the question itself never went away. The longer I didn't face the "why?" question, the more it seemed to reappear, as if waiting right in front of me. I think there are probably many people who have had similar experiences while working or raising children.
One day, I suddenly thought, "It was more fun when I was facing things properly."
Did that realization change anything about your design, or become something important?
It's not that I made any big changes after that, but rather that I decided to once again take the time to think about the question properly.
The "?" motif used in the design is an extension of this.
It's not a special statement, but more like a reminder that it's a very important element for us as humans.
So this time, we tried to express that question by incorporating it into items that are more common in everyday life.
So that's how it came to be expressed in the form of a hoodie?
Yes. When I'm finishing a design, I work in a workspace by the entrance to help me concentrate.
It's a semi-outdoors kind of place, so to be honest it's pretty cold. In the middle of winter, I almost feel like my ears are going to get torn off (laughs).
That's why it's a hoodie. A hood is essential.
For me, it's the clothes I naturally reach for to work in that environment.
This hoodie feels more like it was designed to incorporate the environment and background into the apparel, rather than being a standalone piece of clothing.
lastly.
What kind of feeling do you hope people will take away from wearing this hoodie?
I think that constantly asking "why?" is a very personal thing.
But at the same time, I feel like it's a very important element for us humans.
The "why" that plagues each person is completely different. It could be about work, the distance between people, or the way of life.
I believe that the content of the question shapes a person's individuality and identity.
And when facing this question, I want to always remain peaceful.
Even if I put it off when I'm busy, the question still seems to linger somewhere.
So the question "why?" isn't about special talent, but a feeling that exists within everyone.
I hope this hoodie will inspire you to revisit the questions you have within yourself.
I would be happy if you continue to ask questions and value living your daily life in a unique way.
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For some reason, designer KEIKO always works at the entrance.
Even though he has a comfortable desk inside his home, he chooses to sit at the front door, a place that acts as the boundary between inside and outside, and think about things.
All of Nakamura Shoten's designs are born from her slightly mysterious and unconventional style.
Our consistent goal since 2014 has been " liberation of identity ."
The iconic product, the Barber Cape, is not simply a "cloth to protect against hair."
I believe that it is an outfit that allows customers to look at themselves in the mirror and intuitively say, "This is me," and that it is a medium that expresses the pride of the shop.
The latest development of "fractal design" on everyday items such as hoodies and teacups is an extension of this approach.
As the name Fractal (self-similarity) suggests, we wanted to sprinkle opportunities for liberating identity not only in the special space of a barber shop, but also in everyday moments such as drinking tea or walking down the street.
So what does it take to liberate identity?
I believe it starts with metacognition.
What makes you feel comfortable and what makes you feel uncomfortable? Look at yourself objectively and become aware of the unconscious framework that is holding you back.
Just as KEIKO draws designs while feeling the breeze at her front door, or the moment you pick up a Fractal Design product.
"Ah, this is what I was looking for right now."
This small realization is the first step to regaining your true self.
Nothing would make us happier than if Nakamura Shoten's products could awaken your metacognition and become the "key" to unlocking your trapped identity.
Representative Hiroshige Nakamura
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2026 SS BARBER CAPE Collection – Week 2 Order Open