I started my career as a designer, handling all of the items for a certain brand. However, when it came to the denim wear, leather items, and t-shirts that expressed the vision of the label, I found myself wanting to bring together genuine articles from authentic brands rather than make things in imitation of the originals. This made me realize that I am more suited to a method involving collecting products I like to express something than I am to design.

Fate then led me to become a buyer. I did the buying for a certain select shop in Japan from its launch before moving to the UK for personal reasons in 2010.

That said, most of my buying work up to that point had been in Europe anyway, so fortunately I was able to retain my contract with the store. After five years in this arrangement I was told that they would have to let me go if I didn’t return to Japan, but I had no intention of returning and decided to turn down the offer. Then by another stroke of luck I received an offer from a British brand I had connections with, and this is where I now oversee the design team and formulate our merchandise line alongside the creative director.

The big names when it comes to women’s fashion are New York, Paris, and Milan. While I do enjoy British products, I had never been the biggest fan of London itself. But, it was thanks to not expecting too much that the city began to grow on me once I actually moved here.

A good example of what I mean is how even in a metropolis like London I can find nature parks with foxes and squirrels in them just a short walk away. When I lived in Japan I usually spent my days off going shopping, or maybe checking out a new store or hot spring, but here I don’t feel like I’ve wasted my time even I spent the whole day sprawled out on the grass in the park.

Pretty flowers bloom almost on cue in the spring, so there truly is no shortage of nature here. Another thing is that the British care more about their private lives than work, something that suits my personality as well. Everyone lives for their time off, so everyone stays on track and keeps to their schedule. The idea of a company forcing overtime on its employees is unthinkable, and no one does it unless it’s of their own volition. Everybody worries when they see Japanese company workers staying at the office late because they wonder how it affects their families. Sometimes I can throw people off a bit though because they expect me to be one of these same industrious Japanese (laughs).

In terms of women’s fashion, things change so fast in Japan, Paris or New York that you can’t buy the same thing again even if you wanted to. Let’s say you have particularly functional leather item that you like. Of course you’re going to feel an urge to buy it in another colour, right? The thing is, they oftentimes won’t be selling the same product when you try to go and purchase it again. The great thing about British products in comparison to that is the way you can continue to get the things you want. Even at venerable bookstores like Fortnum & Mason you can find stationery counters where it seems like they’ve been carrying the same things for a hundred years. If I go to a cafe in Paris while I’m there for work, there will be stylish people chatting about art, whereas in London most folks will be talking mortgages, classism, or home investments. The interesting thing is that everyone knows the Japanese love goods made in England. They are aware that this is due to fact that both of our countries having a ruling family means there is a penchant for “purveyor to the royal household” type products, though.

So for example in Japan there are lots of foods that are limited-time-only items, and one can see that even the drinks in vending machines are constantly changing. On the other hand, in the UK it will always be the same line-up of cola, Fanta, Irn-Bru and Sprite.

It is precisely because Japan has so many of these transient products that I think it’s wonderful to have items that you can always buy again or find in a different colour if wanted. I prefer thick leather like a single hide more than I do items with thin pieces woven together at the edges. This is why I also enjoy the sturdy feel of bridle leather. Getting scratched or seeing heavy use only adds more character instead of making it appear worn out, which is key in using something regularly over an extended period.