Crane Brothers is working with renowned Tokyo-based illustrator Akira Sorimachi for their new seasonal campaign. Sorimachi’s sharp personal style lands him a regular spot on style blogs including The Sartorialist, and he’s a regular fixture at the Florence-based menswear trade show Pitti Uomo, the most important men’s fashion event in the world. He has worked for brands like Drakes of London, Beams Japan and Monocle, among others.
With his signature round spectacles and tailored suits, Sorimachi could be mistaken for channelling Leonard Foujita, the late Japanese painter, incidentally one of his favourite artists. His work perfectly captures the elegance and eccentricity of fine menswear and is a perfect match for Crane Brothers. “I have long admired Sorimachi’s work. He had recently worked with some of the labels we stock, including Drakes, so I thought that was a good common ground,” says Murray Crane.
"Dealing with Japanese suppliers is always a humbling experience, they are so polite and sincere. The language barrier is always an issue but when you share a common aesthetic and taste it doesn't really matter what language you speak."
Herewith a few of Akira's favourite things:
FASHION
Designer: Shusaku Muramatsu, Pierre Fournier, Alan Flusser.
Luxury brand: J.M. Weston.
Store: Bespoke tailor Batak, Beams Plus, Anatomica, Haversack.
Slim, straight or baggy trouser? Straight: piped-stem or tapered.
Swim shorts or Speedos? Gurkha shorts.
Double or single-breasted? Single-breasted.
Pleated or flat-front trouser? One pleat and no belt.
TRAVEL
Favourite destinations: London, New York.
Airline: ANA.
Snow or beach holiday? Echigo Yuzawa for skiing.
FOOD
Cuisine: Japanese, Italian.
Favourite cocktail/tipple: Sidecar, Manhattan, Japanese sake.
SARTORIAL MATTERS
Shoes: Lloyd Shoes, J.M. Weston, George Cleverley, Edward Green.
Shirt: Batak (Bespoke).
Jeans: Lee — white denim.
Blazer: Batak (Bespoke).
Sunglasses: Moscot.
Luggage: Glen Royal, Globe-trotter, Whitehouse Cox.
Trainers: Kenneth Field, Todd Snyder, Champion.
Watch: Cartier (Tank), Omega (British Royal Army 1940), Jaeger-LeCoultre (1940).
Wallet: Whitehouse Cox.
ARTS, MEDIA & DESIGN
Artist: Raoul Dufy, Leonard Foujita, Sem (Georges Goursat), Saul Steinberg, Tomi Ungerer.
Architect: Le Corbusier.
Musician: Matitio, Tito Puente, Cal Tjader.
Photographer: Irving Penn, Cecil Beaton.
LIFESTYLE
Perfume: Penhaligon's.
Snowboard or ski? Ski.
Car: BMW 323i 1982.
