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<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nKYOTO AND ARASHIYAMA FOREST: A PLACE WHERE TIME STOPS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Kyoto is the spiritual center of Japan, a city with more than a thousand temples and gardens dating back centuries. Unlike Tokyo, which pulsates with urban energy, Kyoto breathes with the slow rhythm of tea ceremonies and Zen meditation. Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is located in the western part of the city and is one of the most photographed places in the world. The bamboo stalks reach a height of up to twenty meters, and when the wind passes through them, a sound is created that the Japanese included in the official list of the hundred most beautiful landscapes of sound heritage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The bamboo forest presents exactly the kind of beauty that I appreciate in fashion, natural, not intrusive, and yet so striking that it cannot be forgotten. Like any good outfit, nothing is overemphasized or offensive, but quietly enthralls. Walking between the stalks, I realized how similar the Japanese aesthetic of wabi-sabi, the beauty of imperfection and transience, is with the Italian approach to fashion where the quality of materials is placed before passing trends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This city was once the capital of the empire and that sense of dignity still permeates every street today. From the golden pavilion of Kinkakuji to the stone garden of Ryoanji, Kyoto teaches you that true elegance lies in simplicity. With that thought in mind, I set out to tell you the story of each piece of this outfit.<\/p>\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nAIDA BARNI: ITALIAN CASHMERE TO REMEMBER<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The heart of this outfit is a beige turtleneck made of the finest pure cashmere of the Aida Barni<\/a><\/strong> brand. For those who encounter this name for the first time, it is a brand belonging to the Annapurna fashion group, founded in 1978 in the Italian city of Prato. The founders are Aida Barni, the company’s president and artistic director, and her husband, Pier Luigi Galli, one of the world’s leading experts in cashmere yarn. Together, they created a company that today produces about one hundred and twenty thousand pieces per year, and the entire production cycle takes place exclusively in Italy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The name Annapurna<\/a><\/strong> is borrowed from the mountain massif in the Himalayas, where the goats grow a thick protective fleece under which hides the soft and warm coat that made cashmere famous. For a woman who decided to enter one of the most demanding sectors of the fashion industry in the late seventies, that name was a symbol of the goal she was striving for. Aida Barni was among the first to contribute to the spread of Italian cashmere knitting in the world. Her innovative combinations of colors, textures and styles set new standards, and it was thanks to her work that the concept of cashmere with the Made in Italy label reached the very top of the fashion world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The roll I’m wearing in the photos is made of two-ply cashmere yarn, which gives it exceptional softness, warmth and longevity. The beige color fits perfectly into the neutral palette of the outfit and communicates well with the natural background of the bamboo forest. Cashmere of this quality requires careful maintenance, but in return it offers a feeling that cannot be compared to any other material. It’s that first touch that immediately says you’re holding something special in your hands.<\/p>\n\n\n Along with the Aida Barney cashmere turtleneck, I chose Reinga pants from the Loro Piano<\/a><\/strong> brand. These pants are made from a Wish wool and cashmere blend, ninety three percent virgin wool and seven percent cashmere to be exact. Wish wool is a trademarked name used exclusively by Loro Piana, and is obtained from sheep raised in Australia and New Zealand. These fibers are characterized by exceptional fineness and softness, which gives the pants an almost incredible feeling on the skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Reinga model is recognizable by its high waist, relaxed cut with inverted front pleats and a double belt that combines a button on the front and an elastic band on the back. It is this combination of structure and comfort that makes them suitable for any occasion, from a business lunch to a walk in the bamboo forest. The closure is made with a horn button, which is a distinctive detail of the Loro Piana house that speaks of the attention to every detail. The trousers are entirely made in Italy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Loro Piana is a company with a history of more than two centuries. Founded in Triver, in the Piedmont region, this house is considered the world’s largest producer of cashmere and also the largest artisan company for the processing of luxury fibers. Since 2013, it has been part of the LVMH group, but it has maintained its commitment to hand craftsmanship and the selection of the finest materials in the world. Every piece that leaves their workshop carries generations of knowledge and a passionate commitment to quality.<\/p>\n\n\n Turtleneck: <\/em>Aida Barni<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Watch:<\/em> Nivada Grenchen<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Trousers:<\/em> Loro Piana<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Sneakers:<\/em> Carlos Santos<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n On my wrist that day was the Nivada Grenchen Antarctic GMT<\/a><\/strong> in the Tropical variant, a watch that I had specifically chosen for this trip. Nivada Grenchen<\/a><\/strong> is a Swiss house founded in 1926 in the town of Grenchen, in the heart of the Swiss watchmaking tradition. Founder Jakob Schneider had a vision to create precise and functional watches accessible to a wide audience. Already in the thirties of the last century, Nivada Grenchen was among the first companies to start mass production of automatic watches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A key moment in the brand’s history occurred in the 1950s when the US Navy used Nevada watches during Operation Deep Freeze, an expedition to the South Pole led by Admiral Richard Byrd between 1955 and 1956. The watches survived extreme temperatures and confirmed their reliability in the most difficult conditions. The Antarctic model was named after that expedition and has since become a symbol of endurance and adventurous spirit. The quartz crisis of the seventies shut down the brand for many years, but in 2018 French entrepreneur Guillaume Lede launched a revival, focusing on faithful reinterpretations of classic models.<\/p>\n\n\n The Antarctic GMT Tropical<\/a><\/strong> I’m wearing has a diameter of thirty-six millimeters and a thickness of just eleven millimeters, giving it perfect proportions for everyday wear. The tropical brown dial with an amber-toned twenty-four hour lunule immediately catches the eye, while the red and black GMT hand pays homage to the original design from the seventies. This model is limited to only ninety-nine examples, which makes it a true collector’s rarity. It is powered by a Swiss Soprod C125 movement with a power reserve of forty-two hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The final piece of this outfit is leather sneakers model Lonnie from the Portuguese brand Carlos Santos<\/a><\/strong>. The story of this brand begins in the small town of San Joao da Madeira in northern Portugal, a place known for its long tradition of shoemaking. The Zarko factory has been producing footwear since 1942, and young Carlos Santos joined it at the age of fourteen. He literally grew up among boots and leather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He progressed from a simple clerk to a salesman and then to a manager. In the 1970s and 1980s, he traveled the world, attending fashion shows and buying shoes he never wore instead, taking them apart to understand the techniques of the great masters. He was convinced that Portuguese craftsmen could make shoes of the same quality as the most expensive brands. Over time, he bought the company and started his own brand in 2010. Today, the factory produces about four hundred and fifty pairs a day, of which ninety-nine percent are exported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Lonnie model I wore in Kyoto is a flip-up leather sneaker in warm sepia and beige tones. Carlos Santos uses the Goodyear Welted sewing system, a manual technique in which machines play only a supporting role. This means that the sole can be replaced, which significantly extends the life of the sneakers. For my outfit in the bamboo forest, these sneakers were the ideal choice, elegant enough to interact with the Loro Piana pants, yet relaxed enough not to spoil the immediacy of the moment.<\/p>\n\n\n What makes this outfit special is not only the quality of the individual pieces, but the way they talk to each other. Cashmere roll from Prat brings softness and warmth. Loro Piana trousers from Piedmont provide structure and elegance. A Swiss watch from the South Pole adds to the story of the adventure. Portuguese sneakers from San Joa round it all off with a touch of relaxed craftsmanship. The result is an outfit that does not belong to any category, it is neither formal nor sporty, neither strict nor casual. He’s just thoughtful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In terms of color, the entire outfit is built on a warm neutral palette of beige and brown tones that blends perfectly into the environment of the bamboo forest. There are no strong contrasts, no neon details, nothing to distract from the materials themselves. This is precisely where the strength of this outfit lies in the confidence I have in the quality of every fabric, every seam and every material on it. When the material doesn’t betray you, you don’t have to rely on flashy colours or flashy logos.<\/p>\n\n\n Few people know how much Japanese and Italian cultures have in common when it comes to the approach to craftsmanship. Both nations have a deep respect for craftsmen who devote their entire lives to perfecting a craft. In Japan, such masters are called shokunin, and their philosophy implies endless improvement through repetition. We find the same principle in Italian workshops, from Prato where Aida Barney knits cashmere to Triver where Loro Piana chooses the finest fiber.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The bamboo forest is a beautiful metaphor for this approach. Bamboo grows quickly, but its strength lies in the roots, which develop for years before the stem breaks the surface. Similarly, brands like Aida Barni or Carlos Santos spent decades developing their craft knowledge before becoming recognizable on the international scene. That quiet work, without fanfare and without shortcuts, gives results that are felt at the first touch and seen at a glance.<\/p>\n\n\n The Nivada Grenchen Antarctic GMT<\/a><\/strong> is not just a wrist ornament, it is a functional travel companion. The GMT complication allows for simultaneous tracking of two time zones, which is invaluable when you’re traveling from Belgrade to Kyoto and want to know what time it is at home. The 36 mm diameter makes it discreet enough not to disturb an elegant outfit, and the Plexiglas crystal gives it a retro charm that fits perfectly into the aesthetics of the entire styling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Interestingly, this watch is named after a continent where temperatures drop far below zero, and I wear it in Kyoto where the climate is mild and pleasant. I like that contradiction, it reminds me that a good watch, like a good wardrobe, is not limited to one season or one place. The price of around 2000 euros places it in the category that is accessible to enthusiasts, yet serious enough to offer a real Swiss movement and an authentic design from the seventies.<\/p>\n\n\n Every item I carried that day in the bamboo forest was chosen according to the same principle, longevity over transience. Cashmere Aida Barni turtleneck with proper care will last for years, getting softer with every wash. Loro Piana trousers in Wish wool and cashmere are designed not to be worn two days in a row to allow the fibers to regain their natural structure. The Nivada Grenchen watch carries a century of Swiss tradition, and the Carlos Santos Goodyear-stitched sneaker can be re-soled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This approach to the wardrobe is not only a question of economy, although it pays off in the long run. It is a philosophy that recognizes that every quality piece carries within itself the story of the craftsmen who made it, of carefully selected materials and of traditions that have been preserved for generations. When I get dressed, I don’t look at clothes as something that I will replace in half a year. I look at her as a companion who accompanies me through cities, trips and stories.<\/p>\n\n\n The Arashiyama Bamboo Forest taught me something that I have felt for years, but never expressed so clearly: the greatest elegance is that which does not seek confirmation. Bamboo is enough to see it once and you will never forget it. The same goes for a cashmere roll that hugs you as soon as you put it on. It also applies to pants you start wearing and realize you don’t want to take them off. Applies to a watch that tells you what time it is in two cities at the same time, without any digital display.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Japan and Italy, Kyoto and Prato, bamboo and cashmere, all intertwine into one story about beautiful things that require time, knowledge and patience. I hope that I managed to convey a part of that story to you and that I inspired you to look for that wardrobe that does not get old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How did you like my outfit today? I really tried to prepare this post with lots of love and I hope you like it! If you have any questions, comments, suggestions or messages for me, you can write me below in the comments. Of course, as always, you can contact me via e-mail or social networks, which you can find on the CONTACT<\/a><\/strong> page. See you soon in new fashion adventures on the Mr.M blog!<\/p>\n\n\n\n With Love from Kyoto,<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Mr.M<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n This post is sponsored by Aida Barni<\/a>, Loro Piana<\/a>, Nivada Grenchen<\/a> and Carlos Santos<\/a> brands. This post represents my personal and honest review of the destination, services and products provided.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nLORO PIANA: TROUSERS YOU CAN’T TAKE OFF<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nOUTFIT<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nNIVADA GRENCHEN: A SWISS WATCH WITH THE SOUL OF AN EXPLORER<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nCARLOS SANTOS: PORTUGUESE CRAFT ON THE FEET<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nFOUR COUNTRIES IN ONE STORY<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nJAPAN AND ITALY, FASHION ACROSS THE OCEAN<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nWHY THE NIVADA GRENCHEN GMT TRAVEL MAKES A DIFFERENCE<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nWHY IS IT SMART TO INVEST IN PIECES THAT LAST?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nQUIET LUXURY IN THE HEART OF THE GREEN TEMPLE<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n