Formerly of Melbourne, Australia, Front Office is a Japanese contemporary menswear brand anchored by its study of “the three origins of modern fashion— workwear, tailoring, and sportswear”. Drawing inspiration from ’80s and ’90s men’s fashions, the label functions as a design studio, fashion label, and content platform all in one, widely known for their video essays that break down fashion concepts.
HEAT RESPONSE
Let’s question traditional forms of clothing.
Despite being the global standard for formal and business occasions, the men’s suit was certainly not made for a future of hotter living. Even as the past century has seen the fastest rise in global temperatures, the 100-year-old menswear staple has barely evolved to keep up. THE 38° SUIT sets out to craft a new chapter for the classic two-piece suit, without rewriting its essential code.
“I grew up in Australia, and now live and work in Japan. You learn to think differently about clothing when you spend summers in 38° weather,” says Ken Sakata, creative director of Front Office. To counter the hostility of traditional wool suits, the studio drew on Sakata’s Japanese heritage—combining tropics-friendly tailoring inspired by the loose yukata and Japanese textile techniques.
“I grew up in Australia, and now live and work in Japan. You learn to think differently about clothing when you spend summers in 38° weather,” says Ken Sakata, creative director of Front Office. To counter the hostility of traditional wool suits, the studio drew on Sakata’s Japanese heritage—combining tropics-friendly tailoring inspired by the loose yukata and Japanese textile techniques.
The suit features a custom twill fabric commissioned from a mill in Kurashiki, Japan, with a fine 16-count indigo cotton warp for lightness and breathability and a white nep silk weft on the inside. The double-sided twill places the silk against the body for comfort and cooling, while the indigo exterior maintains the suit’s formal character. A carefully oversized cut further opens the silhouette for better air circulation. “I pictured someone who likes the idea of smart presentation, but does not want to suffer through it,” Sakata explains. “The end result stands shoulder to shoulder with the character of heavy wool suits. We end with no compromise and no apologies for this new pairing of shape and fabric.”
The 38° Suit
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