With a background in retail management, stein designer Kiichiro Asakawa began his independent career with the inception of a quaint boutique in Tokyo. Out of this store, Kiichiro-san would slang custom Levi’s designs which he was known for at the time. Eventually, through the process of break-down and investigation, he began to fully produce his pants under the stein moniker. Then, in 2018 stein would create a complete collection for men and women and showcase it during the S/S ’19 campaign season.
Informed by his past experiences, Kiichiro-san designs with no theme or seasonal trends in mind. His store, Carol, has no online shop, and his wholesale partners, domestic and international, are all carefully considered to represent his values and designs. Subsequently, these procedures lead back to the customer, and in return, the goal is to create something memorable. Whether that’s a unique design made with premium materials or the feeling I get when I step into their store and see/feel these products for the first time.
With S/S ’22, the brand doesn’t drift far from its usual design motifs. Casual shirting, jumpers, and cardigans pair well with bottoms that are slightly more playful with their patterns and cuts. The cotton on this jumper is knitted with a thick, soft yarn, compiling itself with dropped shoulders and a wide block for a relaxed fit. Switching over to outerwear, this Harrington jacket is constructed with ultra-long cotton yarn, is lined with Cupra, features a two-way collar design, and cinches at the waist to affect the overall boxy silhouette.
Most of these items are available to shop now through the brand’s selected stockists.
