Hello.
This is Noguchi from CASANOVA&CO.
Today, as the title suggests, I'd like to introduce Olde H & Daughter.
This season, Olde H & Daughter's most exciting piece.
It felt like a garment that exploded with Olde H & Daughter's essence, yet was very neutral.
Olde H & Daughter
SILK HEAVY WEIGHT PLAIN STITCHES KNITTING P/O
color _ OFF × NAVY
size _ 10
Olde H & Daughter
SILK HEAVY WEIGHT PLAIN STITCHES KNITTING P/O
color _ BLACK × IVORY
size _ 10
Olde H & Daughter
SILK HEAVY WEIGHT PLAIN STITCHES KNITTING P/O
color _ BROWN × BLACK
size _ 10
The "Basque shirt" is a classic item of French-style clothing, and its "form" is well-established.
That "form" is so complete that there's no need to force a change, and I believe it's deeply ingrained in society.
However, precisely because of this, for me personally, it was an item for which I couldn't find a particular reason to wear it.
I'm not so devoted to French style as to wear a Basque shirt from a famous brand, but neither do I think that an avant-garde, "groundbreaking" Basque shirt is good... or something like that.
In short, I had never encountered a Basque shirt that resonated with my personal style, let alone the store's.
That was true both for me as an individual, Noguchi, and as a buyer.
However, this Olde H & Daughter Basque shirt was perfect.
First and foremost, the material, of course.
100% silk, not cotton.
For items with a "set form" like this, there are many approaches like "we replaced it with a premium material," but Olde H & Daughter doesn't give off any such ulterior motives.
Rather, it feels like a natural progression, as if to say, "This is what happens when Olde H & Daughter makes a Basque shirt."
However, by using silk, a clear difference emerges.
Unlike cotton, there's no fluffy fuzz, so the border lines are crisp and clear.
Furthermore, the clear color reproduction unique to silk makes the borders appear as different from a cotton Basque shirt as a CRT television is from a 4K TV.
Whether this is good or not might depend on what a person is looking for, but I think this is why Basque shirts outside of the classic French style never quite moved beyond playing a "disruptive" role.
Olde H & Daughter naturally surpassed that realm by knitting high-quality silk, which the brand excels at, with a tightly knit gauge that the brand also excels at.
The neckline has a subtle design detail so that the stitching doesn't show on the outside.
This alone makes a huge difference in how the neckline looks when worn.
The sleeves and hem are also finished differently from typical Basque shirts.
The fabric at the ends of the sleeves and hem is folded back, creating a double-layered state.
There is a width as if it were switched to a rib, but only that part is doubled.
It's a small detail, but I believe that these specifications for the neckline, cuffs, and hem support the completeness of this piece from behind the scenes.
The supple movement of the fabric that can only be achieved with ultra-heavy silk.
Clear, unclouded coloration.
A glossy, smooth texture.
It looks like a Basque shirt that isn't trying to be flashy, yet it has a distinctly different vibe.
Following the usual "OLDE style," the sleeves are not slanted, forming a T-shape with the body.
This creates a unique drape around the shoulders.
I believe the shoulders will become more accustomed to the fit with repeated wear, but this characteristic can certainly be called a form unique to Olde H & Daughter's Basque shirt.
"This is Basque" in OFF × NAVY.
Even though it's a super classic color combination that might usually feel a bit overdone, as expected from Olde H & Daughter's Basque, it's not ordinary in a good way, and I think that's best expressed in OFF × NAVY.
Because it's silk, it shines when paired with raw-looking pants.
Black in silk and cashmere looks very good, so Olde H & Daughter's black is inevitably cool.
For me personally, the black base with ivory stripes is the hardest color combination to style in a traditional Basque shirt, but this one feels very natural.
Compared to the overwhelmingly classic OFF × NAVY and its "reverse" counterpart, BLACK × IVORY...
the slightly more niche BROWN × BLACK.
I think the quality of the material really stands out here too.
Even though it's dark on dark, it looks very sharp without blurring.
Silk has natural temperature and humidity regulating properties, so I believe this is a piece that can be enjoyed in various ways throughout the year.
If you wear it instead of a wool or cashmere knit and layer an outer garment over it during this season, it'll be quite warm. From March to April, you can wear it like a silk knit, and from May to June, you can pair it with shorts like a long-sleeved cut-and-sew, and that's perfectly fine.
While some colors might feel spring-like, I think it's generally something you can wear year-round, except for the peak of summer.
I'm not particularly proposing a French style, so all you need to do is pair it with your existing pants.
That's all it takes to complete the look.
As I mentioned at the beginning, this felt like a very natural creation for Olde H & Daughter and for Fujibayashi-san's Basque shirt.
It's not about "breaking the mold" or intentionally creating a unique position in the market; it's more about a sensibility that emanates from the inner depths of Olde H & Daughter and Fujibayashi-san.
That's why there's no forced aspect to the design, material, or specifications, making it very natural, yet wonderfully high-quality and special.
I think this balance carries a dilemma where the more you aim for it, the further away it gets.
That's why I believe it's a garment that can only be made by someone who creates from their inner self, and I felt the kind of exhilaration at the exhibition that you only feel when encountering such a creation.
I believe this is a garment that will undoubtedly provide a new discovery for those who explore Olde H & Daughter.
It's a masterpiece.
If you're interested, please come see it in person.