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Residents seriously made clothes with an apparel company vol.3

2024-03-29

The "loungewear project" was started by the apparel company TARROW TOKYO and a team of Social Apartment residents, with the aim of developing and selling products from the unique perspective of Social Apartment residents. This column, published on TARROW TOKYO's website, will be divided into several parts.

< Previously >

A Resident Seriously Creates Clothing with an Apparel Company vol.1 [Column]

A story about a tenant who seriously made clothes with an apparel company vol.2 [Column].

After the first sample was completed, we began the detailed work of finalizing the details and moving forward to the commercialization of the product.

After much deliberation, we decided on a color scheme.

In deciding on the colors to be used, we asked the tenants to look at sample books. The color differences, which could not be identified without a closer look, were also checked in detail.

Neighbors Kamikitazawa Team: Will the yarn in the sample be the same color as the fabric?

Taro: What you are seeing now is just a bundle of yarn, so there is a possibility that it will look a little different when it is knitted into fabric...

It is true that color is very important. Even a slight difference can change the impression, so we carefully selected a few colors we were interested in and decided to make a knitted fabric (a fabric made from knitted yarn). By doing this, we can avoid things like, "The color is totally different from what I expected! This way, we can avoid such cases as "The color is not what I expected! Here is the actual knitted fabric.

Actually, at this time, we were also thinking of creating an original brand tag, so we test printed it. Since "relaxing" and "comfortable" were important to us in our preliminary research, we decided to print the brand tag on the neck, which is sensitive to the skin, in print. The design was designed so that people would know that it was a double name, Neighbors and Taro.

Determination of sizes to be developed

One of the important themes of this project was to create clothes that would please and meet the needs of our neighbors living within a 3-meter radius. Since gender is irrelevant here, we aimed to develop clothes in sizes that both men and women can choose from.

Normally, it would be better to provide both women's and men's sizes, but if we misread the balance between demand and sharing, we would always end up with excess stock....

After worrying until the very last minute and making about a third sample, we came up with the answer of offering the product in S/M/L sizes, with the S size being the women's version.

Which fabric is better?

The first sample was made in two fabrics: one soft and bouncy, and the other made with high-twist yarn for a sturdier, more expensive look. We gave both samples to our team members to wear and wash for a certain period of time to see which was better.

We had a hard time deciding, since each had its own advantages, but again, we chose the softer, bouncier fabric, considering "relaxing" and "comfortable" first and foremost, which had been mentioned in the preliminary survey.

Details that enhance the quality of life just a little more than before

We wanted this loungewear to improve the quality of life, even if just a little, so we paid close attention to the details.

Some of the details include

Printed brand tag
V-shaped gusset
Pith name on the cuff

As an important element to improve the quality, this garment is equipped with pockets.

The size of the pockets should be able to hold a smartphone or wallet without stress. Since we want this garment to be worn indoors and outdoors, it is very useful for a quick trip to the convenience store or a short outing. The team told us that pockets were a must-have from the beginning.

Finally, it was completed! TARROW x SOCIAL APARTMENT] LOUNGE WEAR

Finally, the clothes were completed. It took about 8 months to complete, and both TARROW and the Neighbors team members were very excited about the finished product.

We made it in a shape that is easy to use for both men and women. From the length of the garment to the length of the sleeves, we repeatedly took measurements and made adjustments in pursuit of the ideal. The back of the neck has a brand tag if it is a conventional Taro, but this time it is printed with a single point.

The sleeves are slightly longer, and when folded back, an illustration of Taro appears.

In order to ensure "comfort," an important word in this collaboration project, the fabric is knit to ensure elasticity, softness, and resistance to wrinkling. While ensuring comfort as loungewear, a pocket for a wallet or smartphone is added as a feature so that the garment can be used as outside wear.

The Neighbors Kamikitazawa team assisted in almost all aspects of the project, from planning to modeling.

Each member of the team worked hard to come up with creative ideas for the photo shoot, while discussing how to make the clothes look good to as many people as possible. Please take a look at the product page to see the members of the team as models.