interview with toshi hayama, dr denim japan
TODAY WE'RE HAVING A CHAT WITH TOSHI HAYAMA ATT EIKO, THE JAPANESE DISTRIBUTOR OF DR DENIM.
HELLO TOSHI, HOW ARE YOU TODAY?
Doing real well thank you!
It’s always nice talking to you guys.
WE'RE VERY GLAD TO SEE DR DENIM DOING WELL IN JAPAN. WHY DO YOU THINK THE JAPANESE ARE TAKING SUCH AN INTEREST IN SCANDINAVIAN FASHION IN GENERAL, NOT LEAST GIVEN JAPAN'S STRONG DOMESTIC DENIM INDUSTRY?
We think that the design tastes and fit match the Japanese market very well. The typical Japanese male body structure also is a great match for the Dr Denim cuts. Although there is a very established denim market over here, the Scandinavian fashion style is still relatively new and we believe this unique and clean flavor is a refreshing change from the current norm.
WE CAME TO TOKYO TO VISIT YOU LAST YEAR. WE THOUGHT OUR VIKING HISTORY WOULD HAVE MADE US STRONG AND THAT WE WOULD EASILY DRINK YOUR TEAM UNDER THE TABLE BUT WE WERE CLEARLY WRONG. ANY COMMENTS?
Well, just for the record, we did lose some soldiers that night too. ; )
However, in general, I would have to attribute our strong drinking performance to the samurai god of alcohol who empowered us that night. We burned incense at a temple for a week before you came.
MORE IMPORTANTLY, WE'RE COMING TO SEE YOU AGAIN VERY SOON. ANY THOUGHTS ON WHAT YOU'D RECOMMEND US TO SEE AND DO WHILE WE'RE OVER THERE? KEEP IN MIND THAT WE PREFER THINGS OUT OF THE ORDINARY.
Well, Tokyo changes daily so there’s always plenty to see. The best is to just catch up on today’s current trends. Let’s do our round of select shops and fashion districts to see what’s in stores. It’s always good to compare notes with other countries. Due to the intense competition and ridiculous number of brands, there’s always a new trend popping up...unfortunately, trends are becoming very short lived and change frequently. However, many of those trends still manage to echo overseas so it’s always nice to get a head start.
As for after hours,...I think it’s time to pit the Viking against the Samurai.
WHAT DOES YOUR TEAM THINK ABOUT WORKING WITH US?
They love it! (Well, they would love it better if they could all go to Sweden once and enjoy the beautiful surroundings you have.) But seriously, they like working with you because the communication is great, paperwork is systematic and efficient, response is prompt, marketing efforts are improving greatly, and the willingness to cooperate and solve problems quickly are in place.
TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR TEAM THAT WE DIDN'T ALREADY KNOW.
Dr Denim is the number one brand for employee purchases. Everyone has Dr Denim in their closet regardless of department.
YOUR FAMILY HAS BEEN WORKING WITH JEANS FOR MANY DECADES, SO OUR BACKGROUND IS PRETTY SIMILAR IN THAT SENSE. HOW DO YOU THINK THE FAMILY BUSINESS ATMOSPHERE HAS AFFECTED YOU?
It’s been both a challenge and an asset. Being part of the family was advantageous because of the lifelong exposure to the industry and the company in general. It allowed me insight into many aspects of the business that I would not have had otherwise. However, it’s challenging because my directors, meaning relatives, expect twice as much work and results from me. However, I do understand the necessity of it and am ready for the challenge. The company has been in business for over 50 yrs and is constantly evolving. My job is to make sure it lasts for another 50 yrs. Easier said than done, but it’s a great challenge.
RUMOUR HAS IT THAT YOU HAVE A BACKGROUND IN AN AREA THAT IS COMPLETELY UNRELATED TO WHAT YOU'RE DOING FOR A LIVING THESE DAYS. SOMETHING THAT IS VERY CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH JAPAN. DRIFTING. TELL US A BIT ABOUT WHAT YOU'VE BEEN UP AND HOW YOU ENDED UP THERE.
Ahh, rumors...Haha, no, I guess it’s not that hard to find my past on the web. Yes, while growing up around denim as a child, I was lucky enough to establish my own business realm for about 10 yrs in the Automotive Racing, and Japanese Aftermarket Performance Tuning industry. I also helped launch the Japanese sport of drifting to the world. With the help of great friends, I helped to create an automotive subculture, manage a championship pro-drifting team, served as MC for the D1 Grand Prix Professional Drifting Series, produced various videos and was the Technical Consultant for Universal Pictures The Fast and the Furious 3 and 4...but in the end...
I just liked fast cars...and jeans.... doesn’t every guy? = )
interview with mattias friberg, dr denim australia
HELLO MATTIAS, DISTRIBUTOR OF DR DENIM IN AUSTRALIA, AND CONGRATULATIONS ON THE RECENT ARRIVAL OF YOUR 4TH FAMILY MEMBER! HOW ARE YOU TODAY?
I’m as proud as a father could be. Of course tired and totally exhausted, but that is part of the fun. Sleep is so overrated....
WHAT'S THE BEST THING ABOUT WORKING WITH DR DENIM?
Everything. We love being a part of the Dr Denim family and are of course very happy to be their representatives in Australia.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE DRINK AND WHY?
I have a lot of favourite drinks, It’s all depending of which time of the day it is. I couldn’t wake up in the mornings without a strong Flat White (Australian non fancy version of a Latte). Since we live in a stinking hot climate, normally anything that is cold is good! I do prefer when the chilled drink is a good Pale Ale. Since I moved to Australia I have really got to appreciate some of the great wine that this country has to offer.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE DR DENIM GARMENT OF ALL TIME?
Hmmm...tough one....there are so many to choose from. If I had to chose one, it would have to be my favourite weekend jeans, a pair of well worn in Danny jeans.
WHAT'S THE WORST MEAL YOU'VE HAD ON AN AIR PLANE? MINE WAS A SESAME-COVERED MEAT-BUN SERVED IN WRINKLED ALUMINIUM FOIL ON AN AIR CHINA FLIGHT. I THOUGHT THEY WERE JOKING BUT THEY WERE NOT.
I once had a very weird (I could probably spend 5000 words just on explaining why, but I’ll spare you that one) Aeroflot flight from Moscow to Bangkok. The Russian stu we got served was not particularly tasty and it looked as bad as it tasted. Luckily they had plenty of Vodka to compensate for the poor food.
WE WILL BE COMING TO SYDNEY TO VISIT YOU NEXT WEEK. IS THERE ANYHING EXOTIC TO SEE ANYWHERE CLOSE TO SYDNEY?
The good thing with Sydney is that you don’t have to leave the city to get an exotic experience. A trip to one of the beaches and you will understand the surf and beach culture that the city has to offer, snorkelling with sharks, sitting next to the Opera house in sunset overlooking the Harbour Bridge and the city Skyline, dining at any of the cities millions of restaurants, having a beer in a old traditional pub where they brew their own beer, all of these things are pretty enjoyable. I could see you guys loving it.
YOU HAVE AN IMPRESSIVE BEARD. OR AT LEAST YOU DID LAST TIME I SAW YOU. WHAT DOES YOU FAMILY THINK OF IT?
They love it!! To be honest, it is an ongoing discussion where my partner is not too happy about it. Personally I think that the more I cover my face with hair, the better I look. I just took it off the other week before our daughter landed. I didn’t want my hairy face to the first thing she would ever see.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE DENIM SHOP AND WHY?
I would like to say our own stores (Somewhere and Somedays) are the best ones. But there are other more denim orientated stores I really like. In Australia we have a denim connoisseur store called That Store. They do a fantastic job with the brands and the variety of denim they stock. It is also presented in a genuine and rustic environment with staff who knows what they are talking about. And that they have a great Dr Denim offering makes them even better...
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME!
interview with dan stendahl, ad at dragster
HELLO DAN (ART DIRECTOR AT DRAGSTER) HOW ARE YOU TODAY?
Very well. I had meatballs from Lasse På Heden for lunch today and am shortly going to Spain for some work.
WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT BEING AN AD AT DRAGSTER?
Working with creative and inspiring stuff every day. And I have great colleagues.
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO WORK WITH DR DENIM?
It’s pretty tough. Gives you some form of creative anxiety and you always want to create the best stuff you’ve ever done. It’s a lot of fun to work with clients who appreciate crazy ideas. It also helps that Dr Denim have really nice and good products.
NAME ONE POOR TV COMMERCIAL AND EXPLAIN
The one that comes to mind is for Ducoral I believe. There’s this horrible woman with stomach aches who talks on the phone and all she says is mmmmm….. mmmmm… mmmmm. Bad production, bad acting and bad idea. Makes me shiver.
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE SNOW-RELATED CHAOS WE’VE SEEN LATELY?
I like the snow chaos. Every day I wish for more snow so that I can listen to Bengt Magnusson telling us not to take the car to work. I am a bit of a chaos-romantic.
WHICH DR DENIM THEME HAS BEEN THE MOST FUN TO DO?
Difficult question because they’ve all been fun. The first gave me the privilege to force semi-naked people into a lake in the middle of the winter. When we did the bug-theme, the photography faced a lot of challenges. The model theme involved meeting some rather weird individuals with wide-ranging hobbies which had probably taken over slightly too much of their lives. Right now I’m very happy with the cultivation-theme. It’s interesting to make create fashion through such an unsexy theme.
IF YOU WEREN’T DEVOTING YOUR TIME TO CREATIVITY, WOULD YOU RATHER BE AN ASTRONAUT OR CEO OF A LARGE BANK WITH A LARGE BONUS COMING YOUR WAY?
I would never be a good astronaut, I’m not that clever. I wouldn’t mind being a jeansmaker… I love jeans and it seems to be enjoyable. The bank-job wouldn’t suit me because I have a strong dislike of trousers with pleats down the legs.
interview with Tuomas Majava, Dr. Denim Finland
HELLO TUOMAS, DISTRIBUTOR OF DR DENIM IN FINLAND, HOW ARE YOU TODAY?
Today is like typical Monday… busy, busy, busy.
WHAT'S THE BEST THING ABOUT WORKING WITH DR DENIM?
It keeps me busy. I don’t need to wonder in Monday mornings what to do. Dr. Denim as a brand and people behind it are steady as rock which means for me as hard and committed guy – safety.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE DRINK AND WHY?
It depends of time and purpose for drinking.
Party it can be, Vanilla Vodka with Coke or Bacardi Cola which brings nice memories from 80´s…
With food, red wine or Champagne + under the table Jäger-shots. For every moment and daily use, Jägermeister and Fernet Branca.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE DR DENIM GARMENT OF ALL TIME?
My first favorite one was Kinmei 12oz selvage which I used basically first 18months before I used to use any more skinny fit. Then Terence 110 and now I am going to steal from my sample collection Ormond Red Selvage… as you notice, the favourite Dr. Denim wash is raw!
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR EARLIER DAYS AS A DRUMMER.
Not so busy but much more noisy work. Rock as music and as attitude has been one of the strongest element of my life and will be even my stick is in the Vaseline – but I am not retired yet with regard to drumming, especially now when my son Ossi started to study drumming on his own initiative and someday he will challenge me. I need to be ready!
Also his music taste is more or less opposite to dad’s noisy crap.
But like in this matter – it is called evolution and next generation takes thing further.
IF YOU HADN'T STARTED A DISTRIBUTION COMPANY IN HELSINKI, WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING WOULD YOU HAVE LIKED TO BE DOING INSTEAD? WORK AS A QUALITY CONTROLLER AT THE JÄGERMEISTER FACTORY OR PERFORM IN THE EUROVISION SONG CONTEST, POSSIBLY INVOLVING A SHINY SILVER SUIT TOGETHER WITH YOUR HEAVY METAL HAIR.
Absolutely the Jägermeister job! Then I could create everything other stuff as well especially the job would be so stimulating. Well, if I be doing Eurovision Song Contest stuff the outfit sounds perfect. No Eurovision stuff for me, I am a serious Rock guy!!! But with that look I could be working as Jäger controller!!!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. HAVE A NICE EVENING.
Hey, as I told in first place. You keep me busy, busy, busy… No Problemo.