A Letter From Our Editorial & Creative Director: The Main Show
On a recent trip to Asia, the opportunity presented itself to fly through Tokyo and stay 48 hours before returning to Toronto. While I had my own running list of places I wanted to check out, a lot of consulting took place, with me asking and receiving — for better or for worse — a plethora of suggestions.
From a discreetly tucked-away vinyl jazz bar to Lemaire’s serene concept store in Ebisu, it amazed me how much ground my friend and I covered, and it felt like a rare experience to travel through a city like Tokyo in such a condensed window of time.
As someone who prefers to shop alone, it is always a challenge to walk through a new city accompanied by a friend. More often than not, I’m reminded that I don’t know everything and can rely on the instincts of others to lead me toward places I may have otherwise overlooked. In the case of Tokyo, I had the vision — based on the advice I received — of coming home with a great piece of vintage clothing.
While on a stroll through Shibuya, my friend suggested we make a stop in an eyewear store named Digna. Aside from the country’s rich culinary culture, ancient and modern architecture, and of course contribution to fashion, Japan is known for crafting luxury eyewear. Brands like Jacques Marie Mage and Loro Piana — see our profile on their latest styles later in this issue — proudly handcraft their collections in the country.
At that moment in time, I was not in the market for new sunglasses but had longstanding references in mind of the perfect pair of wayfarers — mostly of Jack Nicholson courtside watching the Lakers. After years of curating my accessories around my clothing, it felt refreshing to have the option to change the foundation of my wardrobe and instead build an outfit around my sunglasses. Slightly oversized, I opted for Digna’s horn-rimmed Wanderer style in black, which I hope to also get in tortoiseshell someday when I return to Tokyo.
There’s a distinct satisfaction that comes with discovering a keepsake you didn’t set out to acquire. Each day the connection you have with the item deepens and eventually goes beyond the material appeal. Throughout this issue, we showcase the quiet impact of individual style. Whether it’s our cover star Vincent Cassel transforming into the cinematic version of David Cronenberg (with the help of Saint Laurent), or Keanu Reeves pushing the boundaries with his passion project, Arch Motorcycle, or the latest instalment of the Style Manual, we invite you to deep-dive into these stories that explore craft, character, and personal expression.
PHOTO BY TED BELTON.
