Artisan, Craftsman & Designer
If there’s anything we can say about small independent companies, its that we truly appreciate their passion for handcrafting products. Unlike a conglomerate that mass produces items on a much larger scale, the question of quality doesn’t come in to play, and we’re sure most would rather have something created purely by hand mainly because in not only ensures top quality, but also offers a sense of security knowing that the materials and fabrics were all chosen by someone who takes pride in what they do.
During the beginning of the month, we brought you a first look at SOUTHERN FIELD INDUSTRIES, a Japan based collective founded by Manabu Okada. To our surprise, he took time out of his extremely busy schedule to take part in our ongoing series “5 Questions With”.
Needless to say, we got everything we asked for and more as he gave a detailed overview of himself, his manufacturing process and his company.
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Tell us a little bit about yourself?
My name is Manabu Okada, I have a sister and a twin brother and live with my wife, Keiko, and my dog “Jasmine” she’s eight years old. I played soccer with a local team when I was young from around 10 to 15 years old. When I was 13 my father gave me a electrc guitar and I devoted myself to rock music and I played all day. Little by little I moved away from soccer and I was absorbed in rock music.
As I got older and time passed, soccer wasn’t as important to me, although I love to watch the games on TV. I still love music though, and my heart beats a bit faster when I find a great song.
I’m usually Playing iTunes all the time even while working. My favorite artists are Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, Rolling Stones, B.B. King, Allman Brothers Band, Led Zepelin and so on. I like a coffee and a beer (Kirin Beer to be exact) and looking for a good local beer is one of my favorite things to do. Because of that, my wife may thinks I’m a stubborn man – It may be true, and I think its a problem at times for my wife.
When did you begin creating hand crafted products?
Really I didn’t get started creating hand crafted products until I founded our company, “Southern Fields Industries”. Before I founded Southern Field Industries, I was just only an operator, making products as they were ordered. I think “hand crafting” doesn’t just mean making product in a primitive way. Speed or quantity doesn’t really matter, although it may be impotant for some clients.
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Where does your inspiration for designing come from?
I think the most important thing is to care for the products which are made reliably one by one. It is not only about the process and production, but also from the beginning of the design stage, to after products are purchased by customers.
I don’t know… I just enjoy making products which I really want to make it. But sometimes I watch other brand’s that I respect and their production methods. I like to see the different ways other craftsman’s finished the details and the level of quality. I never imitate them but they are helpful to me, sometime.
How did the idea of launching SOUTHERN FIELD INDUSTRIES come about?
I worked at my father’s company that manufactured horse racing supplies. It was a subcontract factory of JRA(Japan Racing Horse Association). JRA decided to move the business from my father’s factory to a welfare company due to a lower cost rate.
And then my father’s factory was put in a very awkward position and ultimately went bankrupt. In Japan, horse racing is managed by the governments, and my father’s factory was badly managed by the governments’ cheap business tactics. Honestly, I think my father’s company was destroyed by the government in the end.
It was very difficult at that time, but I took some sewing machines from my father’s factory, and came out thinking of making something new. My company and its name, ‘Southern Fields Industries’ originated from the name of my fathers original company. Unfortunately I could not succeed at my father’s buisiness, but could have taken it over and brought it to the next level. So it was only natural that I started my own project. Now my time is enjoyable and exciting everyday because I love to creating.
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Where do you source materials from? local or global?
Both- I try to source as many domestic materials as possible, but I import materials when I really want to get them or they are impossible to be manufactured here. I am Japanese, and I work to create products in from my home region, it is one of the most important things to me, using fabrics and materials that are sourced in Japan.
What’s next for SFI?
Right now Its not the time to be thinking about the future. I just started and have to give a wider group of people time to become familiar with ‘Southern Field Industries’. Marketing and promotion are also important in addition to making products.
Although we specialize in Canvas, leather, brass and other materials are very attractive to me. I would like to create products of my own individuality for as long as possible.
The most impressive part of SFI?
In a small studio, SFI produces arguably some of the best handmade canvas products ranging from messenger to Tote bags.
Truly a family run business, the staff consists mainly Okada and his wife, both thoroughly dedicated to producing handcrafted products with ultimate care, taking time to give generous attention to minute detailing with a goal of pursuing quality without compromise.
You cant really get any better than that.
SFI Fall/Winter 2011 Collection is available now.
Visit: Southern Field Industires
Manabu Okada
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