Heritage in every thread

Designer, collector, and innovator in the Japanese vintage scene, Kinji Teramoto calls himself an “ARCHIVENIST.” Born and raised in Japan, his life has always revolved around the meticulous study of garments that carry history. From early encounters with classic military jackets to the careful revival of historic brands, he has built a vision where the past informs the present, and craftsmanship becomes a dialogue across generations. Every piece he touches is both a document and a story, a silent witness to decades of human skill and aesthetic dedication.

Can you tell us about your first meeting with Alessandro? Where and when did you meet him?
I remember meeting Alessandro in 2013 at my partner’s ANATOMICA store, in Paris. What was scheduled as a brief introduction quickly became a long conversation about style, history, and the value of timeless craftsmanship. That meeting laid the foundation for a friendship and creative collaboration that continues to this day. It was, in a sense, a cosmic guidance, one of those rare serendipitous encounters that feel destined, shaping the course of future projects.

Last November, you celebrated the first anniversary of Arkeos Club with a Fortela trunk show. How has this journey been so far? The trunk show in Ginza symbolized the connection between Alessandro and me. His and Matteo’s visit to Japan made the event a tremendous success. We agreed to make it an annual tradition, a moment to celebrate shared passion, creativity, and friendship.

Fortela is rooted in heritage, quality, and craftsmanship. What connection do you feel between your work and theirs? Alessandro and I share the same goal: learning from timeless masterpieces and implementing meticulous construction methods. We are both committed to creating a wardrobe that transcends trends, one that respects the past while remaining relevant for the future. Vintage pieces, he explains, sometimes possess a contemporary edge, and like small scars that endure throughout humanity’s long history, they are meant to be passed down to future generations.

In the Fortela shoot, you wore pieces filled with history and character. What did you choose to wear, and why? I imagined a “samurai cowboy” choosing Italian-made garments. That led me to select the CORRADO JACKET and the SHANNON PULLOVER. These pieces combine British materials with Italian tailoring techniques, reflecting the fusion of cultures, traditions, and aesthetics that inspire my vision. Each garment, Kinji says, is a vessel of history and light, connecting him to generations of makers and the stories they left behind.

Japan is known for its obsessive attention to detail in clothing. What fascinates you most about its craftsmanship?
Japan experienced a long period of isolation, fostering unparalleled artisanal development. Artisans competed with one another, striving for ever greater heights, a spirit that still defines the Japanese national character. The sewing techniques, especially the mastery of curved Western garments compared to straight-lined ancient japanese constructions as kimono, never cease to amaze me. This spirit of dedication and pursuit of excellence guides everything I create, and it is a daily reminder that craftsmanship is both a tradition and a living art.
Through his work at 35SUMMERS, Kinji has revived historic brands like ROCKY MOUNTAIN FEATHERBED and BIG YANK, guided by deep intuition. For him, vintage pieces are never merely clothing, they are vessels of light, history, and identity. When he looks at a piece, what matters most is whether it radiates light and whether it is one-of-a-kind and iconic. His personal style is playful, intellectual, and elegant, a blue collar hero with a fascination for naval military garments.

You wrote a book about navy blue, an iconic shade in menswear. What does that color represent to you? I personally believe pure black doesn’t exist in the world. Dark navy blue is the color of the night sky, symbolizing the galaxy. From this color, I sense an unpredictable, timeless expanse, and it has become a guiding shade in my wardrobe and my vision for style.