Perennials: Kazuki Nagayama

To celebrate our Perennials range of timeless classics, throughout the year we’re travelling the world to spend time with friends whose style we admire. To find out how they wear Drake’s, and to see how our clothes have become trusted companions in their everyday lives.

Kazuki Nagayama is a photographer based in Tokyo, Japan, and one of the most stylish men in the city. Well known for his love of suits, hats and ties, Kazuki is a constantly well dressed fixture in the city’s photography and fashion circles, and a habitue of the city’s finest, historic and idiosyncratic restaurants.

Favouring a roomier, classic silhouette, and the drama of a double breasted jacket, Kazuki’s style leans into the timeless, accented with a splash of flair. We spent an afternoon with him in the busy and bustling streets of Shinjuku, while he put some of our finest suits and accessories through their paces, and discussed his love of tailoring and photography.

Can you remember buying your first suit? What was it like?  

I bought my first suit at United Arrows to celebrate my 20th birthday. In Japan this is when we mark our coming of age. It felt fitting to get my first suit then, even if it was nothing that exciting, a very simple, dark navy suit.

What were your formative influences in the world of fashion?  

Growing up I really was inspired by, and discovered this world, through the fashion editorials of the 90s, as well as advertisements of brands like Armani.

How did you develop your love for sartorial dressing?

Ten years ago I made a big list of all the things I would like to do one day. One of the things on that list was to get a bespoke suit made. I did it, and that was really the start of the love affair.

Do you see your work as a photographer and your style informing each other?

It’s very closely related. Originally I worked as a men's fashion photographer, after wearing suits, I started to get a lot more work to shoot menswear. I think people also expect you to express your style as a photographer through what you wear.

What attracted you to photography as a medium?

I think photography is a mirror of the mind.

You wear a suit on every shoot you do. Does dressing like this change how you work or how people respond to you on set?

I think it's a mix, sometimes people are shy towards me, as if the suit makes them hesitant to speak with me. However people also respect it, and my style, because I always wear a suit. It doesn’t change.

I know you're a big fan of Drake’s ties. What makes them stand out?

Drake’s always has wonderful prints on their tie, which are always fun but not always too formal, which you need if you wear a tie everyday.

If you could shoot anyone whose style you admire, would it be and why?

I would have loved to have shot Mr Armani, and I would still love to shoot Mr Ralph Lauren. They are people whose style has made history, and I would like to make a photograph that shows that.