Engineered Garments
For over 25 years Engineered Garments have been manufacturing clothes which masterfully repurpose heritage references in a distinct and thoughtful style. On a recent trip to New York City, 2nd Academic spoke with its founder Daiki Suzuki at their Studio in Queens, NYC.
What is the significance of having all the elements of your operation situated here next to each other on the same floor?
Simply put, it's convenient. But this setup is something we've shaped over many years, and bringing older-era designs, details, and construction methods into the present is not easy. It requires constant trial and error with the factory. Even when checking and shipping finished products, things don't go smoothly unless you fully understand the characteristics of those designs and details.
In that sense, having the studio, archive, office, and workshop all on the same floor creates a dynamic environment that is indispensable. For us, it's a setup that came about very naturally. And on a global scale, this kind of environment might be something that can only exist in New York.
How does New York continue to inspire the brand?
New York is an incredibly exciting city, and because it's where we actually live and work, there's no doubt that the new movements, culture, politics, and everything happening here influence us in various ways.
Above all, we simply love this city, and we're always thinking about how we can share that feeling with as many people as possible.
How has Engineered Garments' relationship with the UK blossomed over the years?
When we first started the brand, the UK market reacted the quickest, and the reception there was probably the strongest. I felt that the UK had a deeper understanding of basic workwear, as well as vintage and military styles, compared to the U.S. market.
More than ten years have passed since then, and while the same aesthetic still resonates, the landscape has become more diversified as more brands have begun moving in a similar direction. In a way, the market now has a wider range of choices.
How important is a connection between brand and a retailer?
I believe it's essential for retailers and their buyers to truly understand and share the brand's vision. It's not about selling whatever is easy to sell or whatever happens to sell well; what matters is a shared mindset between the brand and like-minded retailers. A mutual desire to build something for the future and to present our own style.
In that sense, Everton has consistently shared the same values with us since the earliest days of the brand, and together we've been able to shape that vision over time. I'm always grateful for his understanding of, and support for, our brand.
