Back To Square One

Augustman speaks to BEAMS' Creative Director, Tatsuya Nakamura, on his recent collaboration with Colony Clothing, unveiling a contemporary collection of luxury basics.

- KELLY LEWI

WHAT IS THE QUINTESSENTIAL WEAR for Singaporeans? At its core, the ‘Singapore uniform’ is all about elevated comfort, staple pieces that are chic enough for casual wear yet can be easily jazzed up into multiple ensembles.

When it comes to menswear, less is truly more, especially when it comes to staples. It is easy enough to be swept by what is trendy at the moment, or to get on the train of the next ‘it’ piece. While I think we can all agree that having a few ‘it’ items is essential (think bags and accessories), the most overlooked yet important part of a collection is the basics. Our capsule wardrobe, if one may.

Take Colony Clothing, for example. The brand, founded by Kozo Kawamura, boasts its collections of luxury resort wear designed for men living in the tropics. Colony Clothing’s distinctive blend of western aesthetics and eastern sensibilities easily wins the heart of many, ticking off the cosy-in-style box with ease. Thus, it came as no surprise when the brand announced a collaboration with the Japanese label BEAMS in celebration of its 10th Anniversary, producing a collection centering around the comfort of the urban men.