AISubs v3.7
We, AKB48, have reached our 15th year this year, based in our exclusive theater in Akihabara.
We would like to continue to challenge ourselves, aiming for an AKB48 that has never existed before.
One of the challenges for AKB48's 15th anniversary is collaborating with various companies.
AKB48 will collaborate with various "pros in the field" and create original goods.
For the first in a 12-month collaboration project, I, Fukuoka Seina, will visit "Professional in the field".
Today, I visited "Ikenohata Silver Leather Shop" in Ikenohata, Taito Ward.
This is a shop that sells many leather goods.
Inside, you can find leather goods that you can only see around.
So stylish!
Wow! Wallets, bags and even shoes!
Here is what I'm looking for.
There are so many!
Wow! There are so many kinds.
One of the brands that Ikeno Hata Ginkawa stores deals with is Komo's "Simplify Your Life" concept.
Komo's "Simplify Your Life" concept features a simple product without unnecessary items.
So cute!
Wow! It's so small!
It's so small!
Hello!
Excuse me.
It's so small!
Yes, it is.
This is the wallet with all the small cards, coins and bills.
So this is a wallet!
Yes.
We make small wallets with Komo's concept.
That's right.
By the way, is this also a wallet?
Yes, it is.
This is called "neck wallet" and it's a wallet that you hang from your neck.
Wow!
How many people of different ages buy these kinds of things?
Well, our store has a lot of male customers,
but the number of young female customers of this brand is increasing.
That's right.
Because everyone has small wallets.
That's right.
As you said, many people are looking for a wallet that fits in a small bag because the bag is small.
It looks easy to use.
I was attracted by this color.
Thank you. I recommend it.
This time, Komo's and AKB48 will collaborate.
So we will visit the workshop that makes this wallet.
Hello!
Hello! What are you working on now?
I'm preparing to sew a sewing machine to make this wallet.
Mr. Inoue, who makes this wallet, is a craftsman with 20 years of experience in making things.
Wallets are made one by one by work.
I took a little tour of the work.
First of all, I will cut the tape.
What is it you have in your hand?
This is to burn off this thread so that heat can be transmitted.
Oh, burn it off!
Oh, there are a lot of parts in it.
Yes.
With this, I will attach a metal plate to stop this wallet.
Wow, does it differ depending on the parts?
It's an ostomus, and it's for the top and bottom of the head.
Has this wallet been made for a long time?
I've been making this wallet for about 20 years.
Wow, I'm 20 years old this year, but I've been doing it since before I was born.
Wow, you've been doing it for 15 years.
It's amazing that you can continue one thing.
That's right.
Why did you want to start this job?
My family used to do it, so I wanted to try it myself.
Did you like detailed work from the beginning?
That's right. I basically liked making things.
Have you been making anything since you were little?
When I was little, I often made chairs and things like that.
Wow.
Is there anything you're trying to do while you're working?
What I'm trying to do is...
I want people who buy what they want to feel the same way.
So if you're careful and you want something beautiful, you can make it yourself and give it to your customers.
Then you love this wallet.
That's right.
That's nice.
I knew it.
The designer who designed this goods, Ono, who is also a representative of KOMO, and AKB48's costumes are usually used.
I asked the fashion company's Shinobu Kayano about it.
Why did you accept the collaboration with AKB48 this time?
Our brand was originally a man's brand with a lot of such elements, but two years ago we launched our next generation of actors for unisex and various wide people,
and we took a break because we thought it would be nice if we could expand our collaboration with AKB48.
Why did you design it like this?
While designing it, first of all, it is cute to have it normally, and when it comes to AKB48 goods, I think it will come out on all sides of AKB48.
That's how the goods came about, but this time it's the 15th anniversary, so in this design
here is the logo of the brand and it says "15th Anniversary", but
while using it normally, I asked my friends and acquaintances, "Isn't it cute?" and they said, "Oh, that's right," and I wrote it in my book.
"Is this AKB's goods?" I hope it becomes a conversation like that.
The motivation is good.
It's like "Is AKB 15th anniversary?"
"Have you been an idol group for 15 years?" I hope it can be a starting point.
If we can use our collaboration as a starting point and say, "Oh, there is a brand like this," or "There is something like this," and become fans of it,
I think it's a win-win situation.
If you know about AKB and spread it out, I think we can convey this goodness.
That's why I designed it like that.
Rather than something like "AKB!"
If you open it up a little, it says "AKB!"
The logo is also messed up.
We put out a lot of designs and they did them for us.
And we were like "I didn't know gold would come out like this so often"
It was tough.
It was a tough process.
The person who sculpted it made a half-piece.
I was like "is this okay?"
I was a little worried and consulted with them, but they managed to do it just in time.
It's so thin, it's the thinnest line I've ever seen.
Ah!
Wow!
So, it's really amazing how well it's coming along.
I was moved.
That's amazing.
As expected of you.
Thank you.
It's wonderful.
Wow, I like it even more now that you've told me about it.
Ah, yes.
Please advertise it.
Ahaha!
We asked the two of them, who are professionals in making things like that, what they're trying to do at work.
Well, it's kind of like making things, but there's a number of customers, right?
Yes.
Well, it's important to match it, but it's also important to add in-house-ness to it.
Whether it's the way it's made or the design, it's also important to add in-house-ness to it.
Of course, love for the work will grow deeper, right?
We want to make things that we want to have or that we want people to have or that we like first.
We usually try to make things that we like first and not just sell them.
A long time ago, Akimoto-san told me that
if the creator doesn't sweat as much as possible, people won't shed tears.
And it's exactly like that.
So, if you don't sweat as much as you can, you won't get as many reactions as you'd like,
but you won't be able to move people's hearts.
So, as you've always said with passion,
you have to learn what you love and what you don't know.
And in my case, I don't have a lot of strength on my own,
so while I get help and cooperation from many people,
I can spread my work and my charm to the world.
I think that's what's important.
Having fun and being happy and being able to share those things is something I really enjoy doing,
and I think that's what I value.
Wow!
Again, we collaborated with Komono on these two items.
The compact wallet is smaller than the card
and it's perfect as a second wallet that fits the modern cashless era.
When you open it, you can see the original design engraved on the inside.
The neck wallet is a compact wallet that you can hang from your neck,
and it's very convenient to carry around when you go shopping or go for a walk.
It has a different design engraved than the compact wallet.
Collaboration goods with AKB48 and Komono filled with professional skills and thoughts!
Please try them out for yourself!