KAMAKURA CLASSICS recreates American classics through the precision and craftsmanship of Japanese manufacturing. ENGINEERED GARMENTS reinterprets those same classics through its own distinctive lens, refining them for today.
Now, the two come together in a special collaboration, bringing their different approaches to American classic style into one collection.
Under the direction of ENGINEERED GARMENTS designer Daiki Suzuki, classic foundations are reworked with distinctive details and brought to life through the craftsmanship KAMAKURA CLASSICS has cultivated in Japan.
The result is a special shirt that brings together the unique character of both brands.
Don't get too hot. Just Stay Cool.
Now, the two come together in a special collaboration, bringing their different approaches to American classic style into one collection.
Under the direction of ENGINEERED GARMENTS designer Daiki Suzuki, classic foundations are reworked with distinctive details and brought to life through the craftsmanship KAMAKURA CLASSICS has cultivated in Japan.
The result is a special shirt that brings together the unique character of both brands.
Don't get too hot. Just Stay Cool.
FOUR COLLAR SHIRT
A uniquely designed shirt featuring four distinct collar configurations.
The front placket and cuffs feature a fly-front design for a clean finish.
This represents the first collaboration piece, bringing together a reinterpretation of traditional classic shirts by EG founder Daiki Suzuki and Japanese craftsmanship from Kamakura.
The front placket and cuffs feature a fly-front design for a clean finish.
This represents the first collaboration piece, bringing together a reinterpretation of traditional classic shirts by EG founder Daiki Suzuki and Japanese craftsmanship from Kamakura.
WESTERN SHIRT
A traditional Western shirt—originally designed for cowboys and outdoor work in the American West—reinterpreted by EG founder Daiki Suzuki. While keeping iconic Western-style front pockets and yokes, the front placket and cuffs feature a clean fly-front construction, paired with a raw-edge hem finished with overlock stitching.
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Story Behind
the Collaboration
Why partner with Kamakura Classics now ?
KC /
Engineered Garments (EG) is renowned for its rugged, utilitarian American charm, whereas Kamakura Classics (KC) focuses on meticulous Japanese craftsmanship and precision. Despite sharing roots in classic American style, their approaches are almost polar opposites. What was the primary motivation behind choosing to create a collection with KC ?
DAIKI /
While EG definitely embodies rugged, unrefined American charm, another core pillar of the brand is taking classic American style, refining it for the modern era through our own lens, and incorporating distinctive details. If we were to produce those designs in Japan, I wanted to partner with a brand that possesses top-tier manufacturing techniques. In that sense, meeting Kamakura Classics by chance at an event in Brooklyn last year convinced me they were the best possible partner.
Why entrust production to a meticulous Japanese factory ?
KC /
EG garments often embrace the "functional roughness" and character typical of American factories. What made you decide to produce this collection in a highly disciplined and precise Japanese facility (Yoshida Motokogyo) ? What were you hoping a Japanese factory could bring to the project ?
DAIKI /
Part of EG's concept is creating value that differs from conventional standards—embodying the beauty of imperfection. However, beyond that, we wanted to experiment with a completely new, original style built from classic designs. To achieve that, having a factory with proven expertise and high-level craftsmanship was essential to support the design vision.
The chemistry between playfulness and precision
KC /
EG's playfulness intentionally embraces an deliberately imperfect feel, contrasting with KC's pursuit of perfection. When these two opposing styles collide in a single shirt, what kind of interesting chemistry did you witness ?
DAIKI /
Fusing two polar opposites has been EG's vision since its inception. I believe the process of uniting conflicting elements yields something captivating—a new form of cool. This project was no different, and the final result exceeded expectations. It’s like a brilliant, highly skilled "troublemaker" (playful design backed by precise craftsmanship).
Details designed specifically for Kamakura’s capabilities
KC /
Looking at the Four-Collar Shirt and Western Shirt designed for this collaboration, are there any niche details or specs you incorporated specifically because you were confident KC’s production capabilities could pull them off—things that would be difficult for a NY factory?
DAIKI /
More than just KC’s technical capabilities, I was drawn to the brand because I felt it would be open-minded enough to understand and embrace “crazy” design concepts. I trusted that the KC team would grasp the charm of the design, despite its structural complexity. For the Four-Collar shirt, although the collar shapes aren't meant for practical everyday wear, the design fails unless each collar possesses a solid structure. Similarly, for the Western shirt, the subtle details—like almost completely hidden buttons or deliberately leaving serged edges on the shirt tail—require a deep understanding of original vintage specs to execute correctly.
How would you like customers to style these pieces ?
KC /
"An EG shirt filled with playfulness, crafted with precise Japanese tailoring." How would you like style-conscious customers to wear and coordinate these shirts ?
DAIKI /
I don't have any specific preference. Once a garment belongs to the customer, I always look forward to seeing their individual, creative styling—whether simple or wild. Personally, I’d love to wear them unironed under a blazer or paired with a denim trucker jacket and a necktie.