Junta Shirafuji JUNTA SHIRAFUJI

Tell us about your role at Fenix.

I am in charge of men's planning department, originally graduating from a fashion design school. Now, I would like to learn more about materials and technologies while valuing the leading men's fashion trends. My current, thrilling job is to present knitwear projects to a variety of brands and during exhibitions.

Having its own factory, Fenix has the advantage of being able to instantly turn ideas and vision into products: as a planning department professional, this is a blessing.

Also, when I was taken to Pitti in 2019 for the first time, I was able to discover a lot of new materials and absorb new perspectives and countless stimuli from the culture of fashion you breath even in the very original venue buildings.

Please tell us what you want to challenge and what you are aiming for in your position.

My goal is monitor menswear's trend and incorporate them in our collections. Shouldn't the research materials be enough, I will leverage other external stimuli and my own fashion sensibility.

Having travelled abroad, I am well aware of the need to improve my English. Moreover, whilst appreciating that I still have a lot to learn about trade show, exhibitions and material characteristics, I know that I can count on my natural understanding of fashion: that's Shirafuji when it comes to men's knitwear!

Please tell us what you are trying to do outside of work, what you are looking forward to, and your hobbies.

I am very much into clothes, so I browse fashion also on my days off. In terms of work, I'm curious about how the products I have planned are lined up in store, and I also carry out market surveys. Movies and drinks are essential daily relaxing activities, to indulge in the immersive feeling of having a different life experience. It's nice to access movies on demand or via a subscription, but I also like to choose them at a rental shops.

How do you find working with Fenix's?

Fenix occupies most of my life. It's a place that can be both painful and greatly joyful and I am looking forward to the up-and-coming changes. Previously, I was on a business trip to Italy with Mr. Wakisaka and Mr. Mori. Since it was my first trip to Italy, they let me do some sightseeing to make my visit enjoyable. Moreover, although we ate out every day, one day they asked me "sometimes you want to eat homemade food, don't you?" and then cooked some Korean food for me at the hotel. I was extremely grateful to them for their concern and this little surprise. Instead of merely being a spur, the superiors who can teach kindness and generosity as an adult by this kind of manner do gain my full respect. Members in the men's team are relatively about the same age and talk a lot. Hope we can have more fun going forward.