Tokyo-based KOL Peachi’s Style Shopping Guide: Meet the Diverse Faces of Leather in Taito-ku / Japan! Strolling Strategy vol.1
The Asakusa and Kuramae areas near the Sumida River and Taito Ward, Tokyo in recent years have become places where small stores with refined taste gather. The mix of modest stores and residential environments gives the entire town a quiet sense of life, but it also has a mysterious atmosphere that surprises you every time you walk through it. A special pleasure of walking in this area is the discovery of hidden little stores that are not yet widely known, if you follow your instincts and take a walk.
Peachi, a fashion KOL who still lives near Taito Ward, keeps in touch with fashion and cosmetics, and provides her fans with weekly updates on the latest trends and travel information in Japan. The driving force behind her choice to live in Japan was born from her love of fashion. She has collaborated with Japanese brands to create clothing, and her curiosity about fashion has led her to continually explore different things that stimulate her aesthetic sense.
When it comes to her style preferences, Peachi prefers simple, visually unburdened coordination these days. She uses solid colors, with an emphasis on varying cuts and materials, and balances this with accessories, while leather products with personality are also a staple item she loves to use. She says, “I actually really like leather goods, and at first I had about 70-80 preferences, but the more I used them, the more I felt like they became my own, and I grew more and more attached to them.” She also observes the Japanese culture of leather consumption: “Japanese women are good at seeking out small, artisanal leather brands rather than chasing big brands, which makes it easier for them to express their unique style. She adds, “Japanese women are not big brand chasers, but rather seek out small, artisanal leather brands.
Through Peachi’s keen sense of style, let’s visit some of the small stores that abound in Taito Ward and explore some of the artisanal leather brands. All are leather stores, but each brand and each store has its own unique style because leather is easy to process and its shape can be freely changed. You will enjoy the pleasure of leather in different textures and textures, and you will discover the charm of Japanese leather products and their special qualities through interactions with craftsmen and store owners during the selection process.
Based on the concept of “not assertive,” REN designs unadorned everyday items that naturally exude beauty. The material used is pigskin, which is lightweight and easy to use, unlike common cowhide or sheepskin. The large pores of pigskin allow for good air permeability, and the color can be easily dyed, giving REN even more design freedom. Another feature is that it becomes shiny and smooth like ceramic as it is used more and more. Peachi, who prefers bright colors, chose the bright bucket bag and says, “REN is basically earth colors, but sometimes there are bright pinks and other colors that you can’t find anywhere else.” I like the way it looks. With a variety of bag shapes offered in the same color and material leather, you are sure to find the perfect one for you.
Located less than a two-minute walk from REN, LITSTA is run by a designer/craftsman couple. Peachi says, “Vintage dyed leather, which softens and becomes more unique with age, will appeal to anyone who loves leather, and I think it can be used by people of all genders. I think it can be used by all genders. LITSTA’s designs are genderless, and the washed texture and vintage hardware are irresistible to leather lovers. The store also offers hands-on leather craft workshops, providing an opportunity to learn the process of making leather goods step by step. Those interested are encouraged to book a hands-on experience.
At the cafe “camera” in Kuramae, bags and small leather goods from the original “numeri” brand are displayed and sold. Visitors can enjoy the luxury of being able to choose from numeri products while enjoying delicious coffee and scones. numeri uses a special leather processing technique to give the originally flat cowhide a warm touch, which is characterized by its unique texture. The difference can be felt when you touch it, and the touch is what makes it so special. Color is another feature of numeri, with multiple color variations in one design, and Peachi also likes their use of color. The store has small bags in light pastel colors, which I think will really stick with young travelers.” Next time you are tired from strolling around Kuramae, take a break at CAMERA and enjoy the texture of numeri’s leather.
Wisteria Fujiwara offers custom shoes for women with mass customization. After measuring the exact shape of the foot, we prepare a pair of shoes for the customer to try on and check the actual fit. If you take measurements and make the shoes as-is, they often don’t fit properly,” explains the founder. If we make shoes without taking measurements, they often don’t fit properly,” explains the founder. Without trial fitting, it is impossible to know how to adjust the shoes according to the hardness and shape of the foot, so trial fitting is absolutely necessary. The store has a maximum of 288 different sizes of shoes for customers to try on, which is a scale that is hard to find in other custom shoe stores. Peachi, a brand specializing in custom-made shoes called Wisteria Fujiwarat, was born out of a shift in business model from mass production to custom-made shoes, taking advantage of the 70 years of shoemaking expertise of Pilot Shoes, which was founded in 1950. I had never had custom shoes made before, but since coming to Japan, I walk a lot and used to get blisters on my feet,” said Peachi. I felt that the reason why Japanese people like to walk is because they choose shoes that fit their feet well. That is why I am so attracted to custom-made shoes.
Across the Sumida River in the Azumabashi area, the leather bag studio KIYOKAWA offers a dazzling array of styles and diverse product lines, Peachi observes, “There are so many styles of leather products here, some colorful, that it defies the traditional image of leather.” He observes. According to the owner, he incorporates customer feedback into his manufacturing process. This store is a place that we have created with our customers,” the owner says. The owner says, “This store is a place that has been created together with our customers. The owner says, “This is a place where we create things together with our customers,” and the bags produced here meet a variety of needs, naturally forming a unique style. The shop also insists on using cowhide leather produced in Japan and offers after-sales service. You can get a great bag that is practical and can be used for a long time.
If you do not plan to visit Tokyo in the near future, you can still purchase Japanese leather products recommended by Peachi at teema (https://tee-ma.com/en), where you can buy Japanese leather products recommended by Peachi. Please take a look!
reprint source：秋刀魚
https://qdymag.com/local-story/leather-journal-peachi-kuramae-asakusa
