This week, I'm talking about self-identity: How where we come from influences who we truly are, and perhaps guides our fashion choices, our values and in turn, our life-style as a whole.
Let's look at me for example...
As I travel through Japan, the first question I'm asked is always, "Where do you come from?" and proudly I say: Somerset (SW England). As not everybody knows about Somerset, it's easiest to describe the fresh produce from the region: "Apples, cider and cheddar cheese... and Clarks shoes!"
This instantly creates a clear identity of my home, as our delicious (and crafted) produce has been exported from Somerset through the ages, many people around the world have experienced these products first hand, giving them a connection to me in these initial moments of meetings.
Preceding that, are clues that can be taken from my appearance: Being a country girl, I'm a practical dresser and of course a workwear fanatic, where in my mind, the need to roll a hay-bale or scale a fence is always a possibility.
To briefly mention that I've grown up at Glastonbury Festival too, which is known by many Japanese people. Where the environment and the hustle of the festival informs my approach to travel and my openness in talking to strangers. People can always tell from my demeanour that i'm not from the big city, and I have the festival to thank for that.
Now over to Japan! Where this concept of identity and origin gets very specific for different communities across the islands. Each Prefecture is famous for something special; be it a craft, recipe, fresh product or folklore legend.
Japan is an ancient and beautifully preserved country - folklore myths are still celebrated today! These stories all stem from the natural world of course, when life was much simpler, and can be experienced through the vibrant summer festivals 'matsuri', though cuisine, arts, crafts and design too.
This brings me to highlight a specific fruit and folklore story from Okayama, the home of my clothing manufacture, helping to connect you with the area and the culture.
OKAYAMA PEACHES momo are what I'm eating in the summer, while designing and making garments for you and here's why:
Okayama Prefecture is blessed with the climate of the Seto Inland Sea, it has a gentle and stable climate with few natural disasters and is perfect for peach cultivation. The area has been coined as the 'Land of Sunshine’ because of more than 2100 hours of daylight each year!
The peaches have been in the region for centuries, way before the first settlers in the early 1800s, which inspires many locals today to learn how to expertly farm the fruits and offer them across Japan and around the world.
But how does this connect to denim which is so famous from the region too? We are getting there...
'Momo', the name for peach in Japanese comes from 'Momotaro', one of the five major stories of Japanese folklore.
Momotaro, according to Japanese legend, is the name of a small boy born from a giant peach who descends to Earth to be the son of an elderly couple. The boy rejuvenates the old couple, making them feel young again, and encouraging them to follow their dreams.
Us Brits will know the similar yet reversed story of Roald Dahl's James and The Giant Peach! I digress...
The identity of the peach in the world of Japanese denim, shows itself clearly in Momotaro Denim's name and logo (pictured below) where you can see a boy wearing jeans climbing out of a peach.
Momotaro are one of the first denim companies to be established in Okayama and they are to thank for 100% of the organic fabric we're using to create our next collection.
The great story of how denim manufacture first started in Okayama, the 'Land of Sunshine' is coming up in my next issue.
I hope today's Journal leaves you to self reflect a little, on how your style and approach to life could be influenced by where you've come from.
Which fruits of your region can be thanked for who you are today?
