COLLECTOR'S INTERVIEW

 

How did you discover HL?

Collector's profile Name: Maki

A craftsman who makes her own handcrafted leather products
instagram@makileather

When the Internet first started to become popular, while surfing the web,
I think it all started when I found and read some posts written by enthusiasts about Yamaguchi Koichi, who was the designer of Yoshida & Co., the popular PORTER bag brand at the time.
I remember thinking honestly, "What an amazing person."
I personally like military fashion items such as MA-1 jackets and Luminox, so I gathered various information about them and came across Harvest Label. I thought "I want this!" and went to buy it, and that's how it all began.

I started buying Harvest Label bags repeatedly.
Is there a specific reason?

Unlike the bags I had used before, it didn't lose its shape!
Also, the corners of the bag aren't even worn down!! This is really amazing.
It was expensive, but it was worth it (lol). After that, I bought several HARVEST LABEL bags in succession...and before I knew it, I had this many.
I bought some bags but never used them. I'm not a collector, I'm just a fan of HARVEST LABEL bags. So I bought some bags to use, but as I bought more, some of them were limited editions and I felt bad about throwing them away, so I couldn't use them anymore (laughs).
These items are no longer in production, so it's a shame to have them... (laughs)

To be honest, some of them are not very user-friendly. They are a little heavy, or the size is a bit awkward for everyday use (laughs).
But there is something even more wonderful about this bag. For example, there is no stress like "I wish there was a pocket here..." that I felt with other bags because of the position and size of the pockets , and the bag has the features you want in the places you want!

 

 

 

Maki herself is also involved in making things.
Honestly, what do you think of HL products from a craftsman's perspective?

After actually purchasing them, I realized that the construction is different, from the fabric material to parts such as the zippers and snap buttons.
I felt that they were using parts that were very difficult to handle. And that they were genuine parts.
However, because it's so real, the zippers and fabric are stiff and rough, making it a little difficult to use (laughs). But as you use it, it becomes more comfortable on your body and in your hands.
And it's nice to see that feeling turn into affection.

Harvest is also celebrating its 25th anniversary and is planning a reissue of FLYER'S.

FLYER'S is a series that could be considered HARVEST LABEL's masterpiece, so I am very much looking forward to the second reprint edition.

(1) The bag that Maki is wearing is an early FLYER'S model released in 2001.
Product number HJH-4022 SG ¥31,800 (at the time)
*Collaboration (double-name) model with Eikichi Yazawa to commemorate his 30th anniversary tour in 2002.
This model is the second part of FLYER'S 25th anniversary project!

(2) The first part of the 25th anniversary commemoration, the reproduction version of FLYER'S HJH-4008_R/HJH-4009_R, has ended with great success.
The second release includes reproductions of backpacks, totes, and 2-way waist bags, including the style worn by Maki this time!
(This event has ended.)