HHV Portraits

Keigo

HHV Portraits is dedicated to the people who inspire us through their creativity, perspective and everyday lives. It is an opportunity to meet, listen and capture the personalities that shape the worlds of music, fashion and culture beyond products alone.

For this edition, we met Keigo Kani in Tokyo. Working at BEAMS and deeply connected to the city’s creative landscape, Keigo shared his thoughts on personal influences, style beyond trends, the places and experiences that continue to inspire him, and the music that has been accompanying him lately.

Here are his answers;

Who are you, and what shapes you outside of your work?

Hi, I’m Keigo. I have been working for BEAMS for over 15 years, I think. Even I’m astonished that I have been a member of BEAMS for such a long time. I started my BEAMS career as a salesperson first and mainly spent time at the store for roughly 10 years, which I loved, because I learned tons of things, which are for sure, fashion, culture, as well as how enjoyable working as a team is. Now, I’m a member of the global team, mainly in charge of the global wholesale business. We BEAMS has our own in-house brands, so we’re at the stage to expand our business globally. But not just wholesaling products, I’d say spreading the BEAMS vibe across the world is my main mission. I really want to make people happier through our products and experiences.

I think my boundary line between work and personal life is quite blurred in a really good way. I can work like I’m playing, which means I’m truly enjoying my work. Fortunately, Thanks to my current position, I have opportunities to go to many countries, and I can experience them firsthand, which is really inspiring. So, it’s hard to answer what shapes me “outside of work”, yet I’d say, people I met, relationships, sounds, food, products, everything I experienced make me one of a kind and the main character of my life.

Living and working in Tokyo, what continues to inspire you creatively?

Now I know, Tokyo is one of the fascinating cities in the world. But, to be honest, I didn’t know that. You know, as a local, everything in Tokyo was just ordinary because literally I was born and grew up here. Rather, I was always looking up to Western culture when I was a teenager. But that’s funny enough, though, I finally learned how incredible Japan is from overseas friends. In recent years, a lot of overseas tourists have been coming to Tokyo, right? And they have always given us compliments and kind words. I was like why? I took Japanese culture for granted and only realized its importance because of foreigners. Since then, I can see Tokyo with a more positive perspective.

It’s also hard to pick up one thing, “what continues to inspire me creatively,” but I think Tokyo is good at incorporating unique cultures from multiple countries and times. Then, compiling them into Tokyo style through its unique sense. Somehow, Tokyo is chaotic in a good way. Like Ura-Hara culture from the 90s. Key people in that era mixed each existing culture and created their own style. I think those editing skills and the strong suit of Tokyo organically inspire me.

Of course, people as well. Tokyo is a melting pot of cultures, especially nowadays. People who have their own field really inspire me, regardless of categories.

How would you describe your personal style in a few words?

Mix and match, mishmash, and editing.

Same, like I said in the previous question. I never thought being Japanese was cool. Rather, I had an inferiority complex. Since I was into American culture when I was young, I was aiming to be American; I mean, I was just trying to copy Americans. But I found out that there was no identity, no style, and even lame when I worked at the BEAMS JAPAN flagship store that had a lot of overseas customers. I was like, I should be more proud of my background, and that makes me interesting to them.

Then, I started to enjoy pairing Japanese items with Americana or overseas products. At the same time, I love wearing meaningful items. I value the story behind the scenes, like how I got it or who made it.

I do not just follow the trends. I’m always trying to find my own style and be myself. Not only products, but also the size balance, color combination, texture of material, and so on. I know that is probably a never-ending story. That’s why fashion is fun.

Is there a piece in your wardrobe that you always come back to? What makes it special?

I’d say vintage bandanas. Bandanas have countless patterns that are really gripping, like art. I always put it in the back left pocket of my pants. You know, bandanas can be versatile. We can wear it around the neck as an accessory. If it’s a sunny day in summer and insane sunshine, we can wear it on our heads. Why don’t you wear it on your wrist as a bracelet? We can wrap your lunch box. Wipe our hands after washing them. Wear it as a mask. You can tie it to the handle of your tote bag. Put it on the waist. If your partner is crying, you should just wipe their tears with your favorite bandana. The sky is the limit with creativity. I love to put my own spin on my style with a bandana. I’m obsessed with thrifting and collecting vintage bandanas, so.

What are you currently listening to, and what music has been inspiring you lately?

YONLAPA, the band from Chiang Mai, Thailand. Their music is mellow, chill, and also brings some nostalgia. So it perfectly fits when I drive my old boy, which was made in 1995, Buick wagon. If you wanna be yourself and live at your own pace, listen to YONLAPA. IYKYK, must check!