ATTACHMENT: The Discussion

ABOUT

After having worked on the design team of Issey Miyake from 1990 to 1995, Kazuyuki Kumagai began his own brand, Attachment, in 1999. What began as a simple streetwear label has become a pioneer of Japanese casual fashion, and has gained success at boutiques across the world. In 2007, the label was split in two: Attachment would continue the streetwear tradition of "real clothes", whereas Kazuyuki Kumagai Attachment would be used to communicate a higher-end, more mode-focused aesthetic. However, both labels are sold together and generally considered to be two sides of the same brand. Kazuyuki Kumagai had shows in Paris from 2007 to 2009.


STYLING

The styling of Attachment revolves around "high quality, real clothes"; staples such as leather jackets, supima cotton t-shirts, and denim. Despite the evident simplicity, Attachment is responsible for popularizing many trends that exploded in the Japanese fashion scene, such as "J-shaped" or "banana" pants -- pants that have a curved seam causing them to gather around the knees and calves. The overall aesthetic is very typical of Japanese casual menswear, with many military and biker-inspired elements. However, Attachment's use of high quality leather and fabrics along with a laser-focus on cut allows it to stand out from its contemporaries.

Since splitting off from the mainline in 2007, Kazuyuki Kumagai Attachment has become the home of the more fashion-forward pieces in the line. The feeling communicated is much more dramatic and often darker, yet Kumagai does not shy away from the use of color, incorporating in ways that don't detract from the seriousness of the overall look. The eponymous line incorporates much more draping and tailoring than its predecessor.

Text is taken from Harajuju.net.

---

Attachment.co.jp – Attachment Official Website


JAPANESE SHOPS

• Attachment Official Online Shop - The most comprehensive stock with photos of every piece.
• Essence-Web - Web extension of several B&M stores including an official Attachment shop. Good selection and great customer service. You can order through them directly with an international credit card, but you can only ship within Japan. Contact them for details.
• R and co. - Small selection, but they do ship internationally.
• Blue Merle - Ship internationally upon request and accept Paypal.
• Please let me know if there is another good shop I should add here!

INTERNATIONAL SHOPS

• Downtown
• H Lorenzo
• Vertice London
• Sydney's
• Please let me know if there is another good shop I should add here!

CURRENT COLLECTIONS

• Attachment Autumn-Winter 2012
• Kazuyuki Kumagai Attachment Autumn-Winter 2012

Edited by brad-t - 10/26/12 at 11:29am

I decided to make this thread since a lot of people were discussing Attachment since I posted the coat that I bought, and I'm becoming more interested in this brand as well. If you have questions I can do my best to help you. I also became good friends with the manager of Essence-Web, so anything I can't answer I can get an answer from him

I ordered two pieces that I should receive soon. These will be my first experience owning Attachment pieces.



I'd encourage you guys to check out the current collections -- particularly KKA, as I think it's really great.

There are no public photos of SS13 yet. I will say that Attachment itself is very conservative – although there are some solid shoes and outerwear – whereas KKA is pretty much in line with expectations. I feel like Attachment is keeping in line with Japanese streetwear trends whereas the eponymous line is a stronger expression of Kumagai's art.

KKA is very colorful next season, with bright yellows, purples and blues available. Really wish I could share the pics ...!

Thank you, I added them!

That coat is really great. Just be forewarned that all of the KKA outerwear this season is actually really light, unlined and "unfinished" wool cashmere. So you should think of them more as cardigans than anything else. Judging from the SS13 pics I've seen, Kumagai-san is transitioning away from the very visible hook closures -- many pieces had one "hidden" hook closure but there was nothing like this -- so you should consider getting one from this season if you really like it.