Rashad Johnson [00:00:00]: At the time, I wanted to go somewhere that would you know, that's cool, that would be aesthetically, stimulating as far as design and fashion and just the city in general. And I wanted to go somewhere different outside of just Europe. So only other place I could think of was Reginald Ferguson [00:00:15]: Yo. Today, we're gonna talk with Rashad Johnson, who's the founder of Tac Bespoke. And we're gonna talk about something the everyday man should have an interest in. Which is the best place for men's fashion, Italy or Japan? Rashad, returning guest in the building. How are you, man? Rashad Johnson [00:00:35]: I'm well, man. I'm well. How about yourself? Reginald Ferguson [00:00:37]: I'm hanging in there. Right. So before we go into our topic, please tell us. So what do you do? Rashad Johnson [00:00:45]: So I am a bespoke tailor, based in the Washington DC area. So I provide alterations as well as bespoke and semi bespoke garments, for my clients here as well as some abroad as well. Reginald Ferguson [00:00:57]: So let's get right into it. So we know each other. We've met each other in real life. You've been on the pod before, but I wanted to bring you back because, you know, I really keep up with you on Instagram. I'm sure you could argue the same thing. Rashad Johnson [00:01:16]: Yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:01:17]: Sometimes, you know, I DM you with hatred because you are in the audience, Chanel, you are an excellent roller skater. Rashad Johnson [00:01:26]: Oh, excellent, man. It's I appreciate it. I just say it with my own mouth. Reginald Ferguson [00:01:30]: Bro, you're an excellent roller skater, and I was only a fast roller skater. Rashad Johnson [00:01:35]: Yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:01:36]: And anytime I see those, you're one of 2 people that I'm specifically jealous. You as a roller skater and my super who can whistle his behind off. Right. So I'm like, damn. So anytime I hear him or I see you, I just get upset. But beyond watching your skating prowess and making me sad and angry, you have had some wonderful journeys as recently as this summer and overall, let's say within the past year to 2 years. You have been to, I would argue, 2 fashion capitals if we look at it from a countrywide standpoint. Rashad Johnson [00:02:23]: Yeah. Yeah. Definitely. Reginald Ferguson [00:02:24]: You've been to Japan twice Yeah. And you've been to Italy once. Yeah. And clearly when we're talking about Japan we're talking about Tokyo as a city, and when we're talking about Italy we're talking about Florence. I've been there, so Rashad Johnson [00:02:43]: I like it. Reginald Ferguson [00:02:45]: I thought it was cool, but here's the thing. When I went, I did not know anything about the event that you went to, which should remain a secret temporarily. Rashad Johnson [00:02:59]: Okay. Reginald Ferguson [00:02:59]: So I just went because a friend of mine who's a native New Yorker, I've lost contact. If anyone knows Linda Curtis, who now lives in upstate New York, l c, I'm so sorry we lost contact. I miss you so much. You're such a good buddy. She lived where I grew up. She lived in the West Village, Reginald Ferguson [00:03:18]: at a building called the Vermeer Reginald Ferguson [00:03:20]: on 14th 7th. And we our connection was we were in the big brothers, big sisters program together, and we just hit it off. And we both had littles. And the point is one summer, she said, I am going to Luca in Italy, and she was like, yeah, come hang out. I said, well, if I do that, that sounds like a small town. Yeah. She's like, yeah, it is. I was like, no. Reginald Ferguson [00:03:44]: I gotta do a whole bunch of stuff before I get to you, girl. So my trip was to Italy, France, and England. Mhmm. And part of the Italy itinerary was Florence, but I had no idea. And the time I went, I'm almost positive, I was not at the fateful dates of the movement. Matter of fact, I looked into my old let's go Italy travel book. Rashad Johnson [00:04:08]: Right. Reginald Ferguson [00:04:09]: Rest in peace, let's go. I'm gonna do an episode about them one day, how how they actually interacted with fashion. But the point is I looked, and the Rashad Johnson [00:04:20]: event that should remain a secret for right now was in my book. Oh my gosh. Reginald Ferguson [00:04:26]: Yeah. But it went because I wasn't there at the time. Also Reginald Ferguson [00:04:31]: Yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:04:31]: I'm dating myself. The dates of that event were different than they are now. Rashad Johnson [00:04:36]: Oh gosh. Yeah. I'm not even aware of that. So yeah. Yeah. Yeah. That's some time ago. Reginald Ferguson [00:04:42]: That's right. Rashad Johnson [00:04:42]: Psychologist always been to say wow. Okay. Gotcha. Reginald Ferguson [00:04:45]: Oh, shit. It was different back then. Reginald Ferguson [00:04:48]: I took a photo. Rashad Johnson [00:04:49]: I think I'm gonna try to incorporate it, in our pod or something, but I took a photo of that page. I'm like, holy cow. Yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:04:58]: So alright. Choose your own adventure. What do you wanna start with? Do you wanna start with Japan, or do you wanna start with Italy? Rashad Johnson [00:05:04]: So, yes, let's start with Japan. Let's start with Tokyo. Reginald Ferguson [00:05:08]: So you've been to Tokyo twice. The immediate question I have for you, Rashad, is what led you to go the first time? Rashad Johnson [00:05:16]: The first time? You know, this maybe it'll sound cliche or something, but it just seemed like a no brainer to as, like, a destination to go. I will say this also. The first time was a family trip. Reginald Ferguson [00:05:28]: Oh, I didn't know that. Rashad Johnson [00:05:30]: Yeah. It was a family trip. So that also like, traveling in general just comes from something taught from you know, my mom just always wanted me to explore, just have different experiences. So that was part of it. And at the time, I wanted to go somewhere that would you know, that's cool, that would be aesthetically, stimulating as far as design and fashion and just the city in general. And I wanted to go somewhere different outside of just Europe. So only other place I could think of was Tokyo. So that was that was kinda it was kinda just like a knee jerk reaction, so to speak. Reginald Ferguson [00:06:04]: So did you lead the charge of your family? Meaning, did you say, hey, fam. Let's go to Tokyo. Is that how that happens? Rashad Johnson [00:06:11]: Yeah. Basically, she was like, let's take an international trip. Let's do an international trip. We had done, like, smaller Caribbean things before. Already kinda had the passport, and I was like, what's that tough? She's she's my mom and I, so she's just like you know, we're like this. You know what I mean? So she's kinda down with whatever, which I love, man. And that was kinda the number one decision, so we just started planning it out and and made it happen. Reginald Ferguson [00:06:39]: So I know you and your mom are like this. Excuse me. But I wanna know how aligned you were in terms of itinerary. Rashad Johnson [00:06:52]: You know what? No. It actually went really well because a lot of the things I wanted to do, we did. Like, the first time I went in 2017 of course, you know, you have to do the shrines and all of that stuff, just to, like, understand the culture because, Tokyo, Japan in general, just very rich in culture and formality and heritage. They were very proud of that as well. And so we did a lot of that, which I wanted to do because I wanted to engulf myself in just history that would that's completely different than everything that I know or have learned about. You know, in in school, in middle elementary school, we learn about Europe. You know what I mean? We learn about America, and that's really it. We touched on world history, but it doesn't really go into depth. Rashad Johnson [00:07:39]: So it was cool to be able to go there and really just take everything in. And then also just do some fashion stuff, go to some museums. I'm a big museum guy. We were just talking about that before we started. And so I'm big on museums, so we got to do that, go to a lot of different stores, do some shopping. So it was a successful trip. It went well. And we went to multiple cities too, so I I have on track. Reginald Ferguson [00:08:02]: Okay. Rashad Johnson [00:08:03]: Yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:08:04]: Let's get into the shopping. Rashad Johnson [00:08:06]: Yeah. The shopping, man, is is great, man. It's great. And that was another thing about Japan is I knew that their vintage market is, like, no joke. And I was aware of that before going there, and that was something that drew me to wanting to go there because I'm a I'm a big vintage guy, and a lot of my, like, design taste and influences come from vintage clothing. Just going through old digital archives that I can find. So being able to go to Tokyo Tokyo, if you don't know, has an amazing plethora of, Americana vintage clothing. It's almost better than clothes you would find here in America. Rashad Johnson [00:08:51]: It's some vintage shots. So, being able to go there and just see how they curate this different appreciation for Americana was great. So, yeah, I got a lot of, like, just random stuff, man. But just like a lot of, military vintage pieces, old workwear things, like carhart and jackets and stuff like that. So, it was, yeah, it was fun. It was fun. I could go on and on. Reginald Ferguson [00:09:16]: Well, I'm gonna have to force you to go on and on. So for this first trip, right, because eventually, I wanna try to make a comparison. So on this first trip, how did you discover stores? Did you plan? Did you do research and go, hey. These are the stores I wanna go to. How how organic was that experience? Meaning, did you sometimes just walk down the street and you saw something that caught your eye? I've read that for a lot of these stores, they're a little bit nondescript, and they're upstairs and not on street level. So can you elaborate on that, please? Rashad Johnson [00:09:52]: Definitely. Especially as you go to different cities as well. So there were maybe about 2, I think, I planned, and I can't really recall the names because the trip was so long ago. There were probably about 2 shops in Tokyo that I chose to go to specifically, and the same for records as well. We can talk about that too. But after that, Japan is definitely like Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, more so Tokyo and Osaka are places where you can just walk down the street in certain neighborhoods and just run into stuff. And that's, like, the type of traveling I like to do. Like, I like the spontaneity of it, the organic nature of it, and there was a lot of that. Rashad Johnson [00:10:30]: So it's a lot of stores that I can't like, I would know if I see them. I'm a very visual person. Their names, I cannot recall. But if I happen to be on that same block, I could be like, oh, shoot. I found that car hard jacket there. And then go back in there and find some more things. So, more so of the latter of, like, just being organic about it and just running into different shops, mainly in Tokyo and Osaka. The second time I went this year, earlier this year, I was a lot more intentional about the research just because, like, TikTok has everything. Rashad Johnson [00:11:03]: So I was able to find more neighborhoods because I don't think they were as documented in the blogs back in 2017. Oh, Reginald Ferguson [00:11:12]: so TikTok, can you can you talk about that Rashad Johnson [00:11:15]: in in Reginald Ferguson [00:11:16]: greater detail? Rashad Johnson [00:11:17]: Me now is completely different now because everything's on the Internet. Everybody wants to make a TikTok about it for real about it because it's, like, travel content is is great. Virili is a great niche community for it. So there's a lot of content creators talking about that subject matter wherever you may wanna go in the world. Whereas, you know, back when I was, like, this is my early twenties, 2017, I just didn't have as many resources that I knew at my fingertips to visit to find the types of things that I was looking for outside of, like, Tumblr, where I have, like, the all the premier shops that you wanna go for for streetwear and some vintage shops. But unless you were, like, really, really, really tapped in, maybe I could have did more research and forms. I probably could have done looking back at it. But, yeah, a lot of it was was organic because it was just different then. Rashad Johnson [00:12:09]: It's just a different time. Reginald Ferguson [00:12:11]: So on this second trip, to reiterate, you really relied on TikTok. You did a lot of searches based on that, and then you came up with a a more detailed itinerary than the first trip. From what I also saw, or correct me if I'm wrong, you went with one of your boys. You went with a buddy. Rashad Johnson [00:12:29]: Yeah. For sure. I went with 2 of my boys, so they were Reginald Ferguson [00:12:31]: with 2. Okay. Rashad Johnson [00:12:32]: They're they're fashion guys too, so they were looking, you know, finding things. So we really kind of we had stores, and we had neighborhoods so that we could go to specific stores, of course, that we want to. Much longer list this time, which was great. And then also there's just certain neighborhoods that you can go to, like in Tokyo. It's just like a vintage it's like a whole city just filled with vintage stores. It's really a part of the city. It's a residential area as well. But like that, for example, in Tokyo, you can just go there and just find stuff. Rashad Johnson [00:13:05]: Of course, you know, specific franchise, their stores may be there. Venture stores may be there. But, also, there's things that people don't even talk about that you just walk down the block and be like, oh, that's for me. You know, they might have old school Ralph Lauren or old school supreme. You know what I mean? Like, whatever you may be interested in. They'll have curated selections based on the stores there. So it's great for that as well. Definitely, I would suggest try to do a little mixture of both. Reginald Ferguson [00:13:33]: So these purveyors, these retailers, they know what they have. Rashad Johnson [00:13:39]: Sure. Reginald Ferguson [00:13:40]: Right. For sure. For sure. So my point is, particularly as a native New Yorker Mhmm. Is there an ability to haggle? Rashad Johnson [00:13:51]: So no. But in my opinion, I don't think you really need to. Like, the prices are great. The yen rate Reginald Ferguson [00:13:57]: Oh, they are great. Yeah. So let's talk about the prices overall, and let's talk about the exchange rate, please. Rashad Johnson [00:14:02]: Yes. Definitely. So just in general, the rate price rate is gonna be better in Japan. You know how different it is in New York, man. It is insane. They price gouge like crazy. Everything's more expensive in New York. Reginald Ferguson [00:14:15]: Yes. Rashad Johnson [00:14:16]: And then just in the US in general, everything's more expensive. So the pricing is, like, great there. Like, when you can just do mental math in your head, and you're just looking at prices like, okay. How much do they want for this? And then you do the math, and you're like, oh my gosh. Like, this is the price I was spending at home. Oh. Yeah. Really? Yeah. Rashad Johnson [00:14:34]: Like, no brainer, man. Reginald Ferguson [00:14:35]: Alright. Really, really, really good prices. Rashad Johnson [00:14:37]: Really, really, really good prices. And then also when we went, it was a great time for the, US to yen exchange rate, and it's gone down even significantly more. Because we went in March, one of my friends in March. And then over the summer, the exchange rate began to weaken even more. So, yeah, they're the price of the break right now. Reginald Ferguson [00:14:58]: And is there any significant language barrier when you're going to these cities in these stores specifically, of course. Rashad Johnson [00:15:07]: Yeah. There there is a lot of a language barrier for sure. I would say that they're pretty in the more popular shopping districts, you're definitely gonna find, you know, bilingual, sales reps and things like that that I know a little bit of English or fluent in English. Because, again, English, you know, they try to stage the international language. I still suggest trying just to learn. Reginald Ferguson [00:15:32]: I think Rashad Johnson [00:15:33]: it goes a long way, learning basic phrasing and basic greetings. You know? It just goes a long way. It makes the experience, a lot more pleasant because they're like, okay. You know, you're trying to engulf yourself in this country that you're in, and they appreciate that. But there definitely is a language barrier sometimes. They just don't know. But, thankfully, Google Translate goes a very Google Translate. So It goes a long way. Reginald Ferguson [00:15:57]: Let me yeah. Let me know how you utilized it. I mean, it probably sounds like a very obvious question. Rashad Johnson [00:16:02]: Yeah. Yeah. It's obvious. But, yeah, most of the time, I would just do voice to text where you just type a phrase and just show it to them on the phone. It's it's it's kinda funny, but, yeah, it works, man. It works. And they're very, like again, in Tokyo, they're just super pleasant, man. I really like this is a very easygoing city to be in. Rashad Johnson [00:16:20]: For it to be so big, it's huge. Largest city in the world, I believe, or one of the largest. There's so many people, but you you still, at the same time, feel very welcome. You don't feel too lost in the sauce. They obviously know you're a tourist, and they're for the most part, they're pretty chill about you, man. Pretty nice. So it works well. Reginald Ferguson [00:16:40]: How is the shopping experience from a cultural standpoint as an American? Like, you're saying how, hey, they're chill and but I've just heard, like, wonderful stories about the shopping experiences in Japan, you know, which would blow America away. Were there any, you know, specific stories, you know, encounters that you had that you went, oh my gosh. This the customer service here is, you know, amazing. Rashad Johnson [00:17:12]: You know? Yes. I definitely concur with that. Just the hospitality is great there. There were a couple of experiences I had where it wasn't really anything breathtaking. It was the details. They they just how they could really quickly, like, understand you as a person, especially, like, when I'm speaking within, like, just retail stores or shopping and clothing. Like, they could look at your style, look at what you're looking at, and, like, quickly know, like, okay. Look. Rashad Johnson [00:17:42]: You need to see this piece, especially, like, in the thrift stores. And that, like, I appreciate it because that's just like that's great salesmanship, really, because, of course, that brings more sales. So I appreciate that. And I just appreciate their attention to detail, like, being able to, like, look at somebody. You never met me before, but you see, like, I like this piece. I'm showing it to my friends. And you'll, like, go to the back of the store and grab some piece that I never would've looked at and be like, look. You need this. Rashad Johnson [00:18:09]: Right? Now I gotta Reginald Ferguson [00:18:10]: buy this. Rashad Johnson [00:18:11]: So so like, I appreciate that. Like, I I think there's a phrase, like, the easiest person to sell is a salesman sometimes. And it's like, I appreciate that. You know what I mean? So that would definitely be one of those examples for me. Like, one of the thrift shops I went to in Shimakurozawa, it was one of those experiences. I'm a big Stussy fan from my streetwear days. And, they just had all these cool pieces and Ralph pieces, and he was just grabbing things that, like, it would've took me 30 minutes to find. I was in there, like, 5 minutes, and he grabbed it for me like that. Rashad Johnson [00:18:46]: Wow. Yeah. Stuff like that. Reginald Ferguson [00:18:48]: Yeah. It sounds like this is this is a place I don't need to go to. Reginald Ferguson [00:18:54]: I Reginald Ferguson [00:18:54]: I need nothing. Rashad Johnson [00:18:57]: I have key, man. Budgeting is key. Reginald Ferguson [00:19:01]: I have lived vintage, so including this shirt. Rashad Johnson [00:19:05]: Yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:19:07]: So Rashad Johnson [00:19:08]: Absolutely. It's hilarious. I just caught that. Yeah. No. I get that. Like, so pieces you gotta just you live the winter ventures there right now. Reginald Ferguson [00:19:16]: Yeah. Like, this is real talk. Right? I've been fortunate. I haven't changed drastically in size. I have changed, but not drastically. Rashad Johnson [00:19:23]: Yeah. So man. Reginald Ferguson [00:19:26]: So, yeah, someone's gonna have to pay me to go there. Rashad Johnson [00:19:29]: Yeah. Hey. That can't happen. Yeah. Absolutely. Very easily. Yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:19:33]: Absolutely. I'm putting it out in Reginald Ferguson [00:19:35]: the universe. Yeah. But, I mean, but it just sounds clearly like an amazing experience. There was one video you had on IG. I can't remember the piece. It might have been a piece. It might have been Reginald Ferguson [00:19:50]: a piece. It might have Reginald Ferguson [00:19:50]: been a Bape, piece. Mhmm. But you came into the spot, and they were playing they were playing Rufus and Shaka. Oh. You let see. Why don't you talk about that? Rashad Johnson [00:20:01]: Oh, man. That's such a police show. By that day, I you know what's crazy? That lady brings tears to my eye. That shot was so well curated. This is another thing about, like, just the it was the curation, the hospitality. Everybody's here super nice, but the curation was really good. Like, when they focus on a specific concept, like, they would really get it. And I really appreciated that. Rashad Johnson [00:20:27]: So the curation is another thing to speak to outside of just, like, the service and hospitality. But that shot specifically, man, she had just so much cool like, I was done with my budget by that by that time on the thing. I just had to, like, stop. But, yeah, she just had, like, some cool NERD, like, letterman jackets, whole bunch of babe stuff. What else did she have there? Like, a lot of that 90s era streetwear stuff. You know what I mean? My era something? Yeah. For sure. It was just, like, just so dope to see all of that stuff in one place. Rashad Johnson [00:21:06]: And then the music she was playing, it was like b side Chaka Khan. Like, it wasn't like just she was playing Papillon, which like if you know you Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. But otherwise, like, people people don't really listen to that on the regular. So it was like, yeah, man. That was that was a great shot. I cannot remember the name of it, but when I'm walking down the street, I would know it from my Reginald Ferguson [00:21:24]: Would you say that was your best shopping experience? This place that has no name? Rashad Johnson [00:21:29]: Area. Because that was in. They're known for, like, all the thrift stores. It's not a lot of classic sartorial menswear in that area, but just the ventures there is great. That was definitely one of the highlights of the trip for sure. That was a great great day. Reginald Ferguson [00:21:46]: What was the worst experience you had shopping? Rashad Johnson [00:21:51]: You know what's fun? Shopping or just in general? Reginald Ferguson [00:21:54]: In general. You can do both. Rashad Johnson [00:21:55]: Probably say so when we got there, our bags were delayed. That was probably the worst part. Landing there, the bags were delayed, like, a day. That was about it. Now everything else went, like, really well, honestly. Even, like, there were a couple days. I think it was, like, 1 or 2 days it rained. I'll tell you a funny story. Rashad Johnson [00:22:15]: They have a lot of great Speakeasies in Tokyo as well. And a friend of mine I saw. Yeah. A friend of mine we found someone's TikTok, and also there was a friend of mine from high school who who told me about a Speakeasy that I'm not gonna see on Internet at all, that his friend had opened up because my classmate is from Japan. So this is, like, a person he knew personally. And when he graduated, I think he went back to Japan when he graduated high school or college. He was back in Japan for a couple years and met that friend at that time. So when I told him I was planning to take another trip, he was like, yeah. Rashad Johnson [00:22:50]: You gotta go to my last spot. So we were struggling to find this place, and it started raining. It was drizzling. It wasn't bad. But it was like raining, looking around, was in another It Reginald Ferguson [00:23:01]: started off bad. But man, when we got there, again, the curation, like Rashad Johnson [00:23:02]: he it was a speakeasy and he played vinyl the whole night. And again, it's me and my 3 boys. We're all black and guys. They're in our twenties. When we walked in, the spot seats maybe, like, 10:15. Reginald Ferguson [00:23:20]: I mean, it was Rashad Johnson [00:23:21]: a weekday, so nobody was really there. So there was a white couple that was there, and they were just chilling, like, having I don't know if they were dating, but it was a young lady and a and a young man. And, the vibe of the music was different. I think he was playing, like, Steely Dan or something. Like, still like some he was playing some heater. But when we walked in, he started, like, switching it up. He started playing, like, Frank Ocean Blonde and, Lauryn Hill Miseducation, the remix version of that album. Like, he just started playing cuts. Rashad Johnson [00:23:52]: Like, he was going in. I see brothers, like, going in and going crazy. So, like, that was another experience. Like, yes, we took a l trying to get there. Thankfully, we had jackets and everything. It wasn't porn. But, like, even the bad nights were good nights because they all kind of ended up going on a good price. It's great trip for sure. Reginald Ferguson [00:24:11]: Before we transition to another country, you briefly mentioned it, but I don't know if you actually encountered it from a shopping perspective. Mhmm. Any classic menswear experiences? Rashad Johnson [00:24:25]: You know, I wasn't able to find too many vintage focused Arturo spots. A lot of what I saw and ran into was, like, vintage workwear, which is, like, kind of in our Arturo bag a little bit. Reginald Ferguson [00:24:43]: Yeah. Rashad Johnson [00:24:43]: Recent. You know? But not too many there. However, the retail, you know, new Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Fantastic. Fantastic. Rashad Johnson [00:24:55]: They're they're in they're at the way where they're still, like you could still walk in the store and shot the cloth. You know what I mean? Like yeah. On the on the on the spool of the yard is still there. Like, that's that's where they at with it. And, just walking around, when you see the businessmen, they still work. They dress very just classic. Baby blues, grays, stripes, solids, and it's like clean classic silhouettes. And it's still very tailored. Rashad Johnson [00:25:28]: It's not like they're dressing conservatively and it's sloppy. Like, it's still very tailored. It's just a very nice, tasteful experience with their so tutorial focused retail shops that I would just, like, go through and peruse and whatnot. I don't really shop too much unless it's vintage, but, I definitely like the merchandising layouts. You know, so everything was designed. It was it was pleasing. I was satisfied. I wasn't disappointed. Rashad Johnson [00:25:58]: Cool. Yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:26:00]: Alright. Now we're on the plane, and we're on to Italy. Rashad Johnson [00:26:06]: Yeah. Italy. Reginald Ferguson [00:26:08]: Oh, look at you. Ladies and gentlemen, he's cheesing it. You're just listening. He is. Rashad Johnson [00:26:13]: Man. Yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:26:14]: What happened in Italy? Like, woah. What? Rashad Johnson [00:26:17]: It's pity, man. It's pity. You can't Okay. So alright. So hold on. Reginald Ferguson [00:26:22]: So let's make everything clear. So that was the thing I was holding back. Rashad Johnson [00:26:26]: Yep. Reginald Ferguson [00:26:27]: You led with it, but let's let's let all the people know who don't know. You went to Florence at the time of a men's festival of shopping in retail and wholesale that happens every 6 months. It's called pity. Mhmm. So that's why, ladies and gentlemen, he just went pity pity. He wasn't sad. He was talking about where he went. He went to pity Woma. Reginald Ferguson [00:27:01]: So why don't you tell the audience what pity Woma is for sure? Rashad Johnson [00:27:04]: Yeah. Pity Woma, like you said, it's a, it's a trade show. And outside of just being a trade show, it's it's gained this, viral become viral for being known for, like, wear a lot of service dress. Men, specifically sartorius dressed men, come to visit and shop because it's a trade it's a men's wear trade show, but there is also, like, streetwear. Where does that show there? But a lot of it, predominantly, is, like, sartorius focused products, And a lot of it is Italian made Suntory products and accessories all Reginald Ferguson [00:27:41]: the way Rashad Johnson [00:27:41]: up to suits and other clothes. And so, one, it's a great place to find products to be made. And, also, it's a great place to network. So a lot of just very sharp dressed people with common interests as I, being a tailor. A lot of tailors out there as well. So that's that was a bucket list trip. Bucket list trip. Mostly, it was it was a great great experience. Reginald Ferguson [00:28:06]: What led you I know it was on your bucket list, but what led you to do it this year? What led you to go, I wanna go? Rashad Johnson [00:28:14]: Yeah. You know, this year really, obviously, there's a theme. This is a year I really wanted to just take some trips, man. Honestly, that's the simplest way to put it. Just been having my head down with school and then just working as well, just developing the business. So this was a year where I felt comfortable to just attack those trips when I get those get those things done. Japan was something that I wanted to go back to when I left in 2017. As soon as I got home, I was like, I gotta do that again. Rashad Johnson [00:28:45]: And I'm saying it again this time, so that'll be a place I'll go again. And pity, you know, for obvious reasons, me being a tailor, that's been a bucket list show for for years as well. So that was last year, 2023, you know, rewinding a little bit. I was like, you know, I really wanna just get these things done, you know, kinda just seize the day, so to speak, and make it happen. So I'm grateful and blessed that I was able to do that. Reginald Ferguson [00:29:15]: So you officially went meant meaning that you had a ticket to go into pity. Rashad Johnson [00:29:23]: Right. Yep. Definitely. Yep. Reginald Ferguson [00:29:25]: Right? Yeah. Versus the thousands of people just hanging out Rashad Johnson [00:29:32]: Mhmm. Outside. Reginald Ferguson [00:29:34]: On Dandy Row Yeah. Hoping that they will get a photo of them to be posted on someone's social media. Rashad Johnson [00:29:42]: Correct. Yeah. And that's so you make a good point because maybe as I was, you know, learning to become a tailor suit in design school, I think at that time, early 2000 and the 2010s, a lot of those photos that we were seeing that I didn't know I didn't know this until recently, were just photos of taking people outside of the trade show. Reginald Ferguson [00:30:06]: Right. Rashad Johnson [00:30:07]: Yeah. You know because, you know, you've got skin in the game. But I didn't know that. Yeah. A lot of those older pictures from, like, 50 or 90 and all that kind of time frame, they weren't even inside. It was like, because it's like, jeez. These people are really, like, going out all the way out there. And a lot of the people that you see there already either live in Europe or Asia, so the flight is just a lot cheaper for them. Rashad Johnson [00:30:31]: But I'm like, jeez. They really take this seriously just to just to go to Florence, just to be photographed. It's like, no. I bother. Reginald Ferguson [00:30:38]: So to me, I believe this was a dual purpose trip. Bucket list checked to go to the trade show. Mhmm. But knowing who you are, you might have had a list. Rashad Johnson [00:30:54]: Yeah. If I'm a go, I'm a go. Right. No. Definitely. Yeah. It was dual. Definitely a dual purpose trip. Reginald Ferguson [00:31:00]: So you had some stores Rashad Johnson [00:31:03]: Mhmm. Reginald Ferguson [00:31:03]: That you researched. Rashad Johnson [00:31:05]: Yeah. A couple. Reginald Ferguson [00:31:08]: So why don't we talk about that experience? Rashad Johnson [00:31:11]: Yeah. Yeah. So the shops, I like the shops in Italy as well. I'm still being honest, man. Tokyo has my heart for the time being, shopping wise. But, yeah, I enjoyed Italy a lot for the shopping as well as more so, not so much vintage because in the research I saw, it has some vintage shops. I honestly wasn't I wasn't impressed, you know, in my own personal opinion. So I wasn't super enticed to to do the vintage shopping in Italy too much, just because I feel like Italy and France, from what I've seen in my research, they are known for having vintage consignment and things like that just because of, like, where they are. Rashad Johnson [00:31:55]: Like, old family, old money. It's a lot of things getting passed down. A lot of, like, really cool, unique things. But I don't know. I think just for me, Tokyo and Japan have a different charm of products and curation that I like more. So I wasn't really too pressed, so to speak. You weren't feeling it? Yeah. I wasn't feeling it. Rashad Johnson [00:32:14]: I wasn't too pressed to go. So I didn't do that too much. I think I'm running in, like, one shot outside of that. I really just took in fashion for more so, like, high fashion standpoint. Just looking at the new collections. Like, I'm a really I really like Brunello Cucinelli. So just looking at them, looking at saying, yeah, just looking at, like, the big name brands. Just looking at the new products, looking at quality, where things are going with their product lines, things like that. Rashad Johnson [00:32:39]: So it was the fashion guy in me and the business aspect of my brain kinda working at the same time with the shopping. So that was cool. And also to see because they're they're stocking those stores completely differently than how they're stocking them in America. So that was something I wanted to take note of as well. Reginald Ferguson [00:32:56]: In what way do they stop them differently there? Rashad Johnson [00:33:00]: I mean, we're in yeah. We're in Italy, so this is, like, the blueprint of supply. So Americans, you know, more or less, of certain sales levels, they wanna just like the Zoosupply modern. That's like the modern sartorial style for most people Yeah. For inspiration. So I that was another reason why I wanted to to shop there because I wanted just to see, like, on a high level and low level, what types of products they have here, what types of materials they use. And it's interesting, and I love that I was able to still see a lot of a lot of linens because it gets super hot in Italy. And I'm a big proponent of linen to my clients here in the States because I think it's just a very technically functional cloth, whether it be, you know, an Italian linen or, like, a Irish, you know, UK linen. Reginald Ferguson [00:33:52]: Yep. Rashad Johnson [00:33:54]: So it was great to just kinda just be able to walk in the store and see that because you can't really see to a 100% quality linen here in the States. I'm just adding them. So it was a lot more about the the construction because they do a lot of deconstruction and then also the materials that they're using in the products that, you know, just caught my eye that I was impressed with. And that was kinda what I was looking for, so it kinda confirmed my bias. So that was good. Reginald Ferguson [00:34:20]: Did you have an opportunity or did you make an opportunity to go to local indigenous brands, particularly for classic menswear since you totally dismissed Yeah. Rashad Johnson [00:34:35]: I did that. I'm gonna do that next time. I definitely am gonna do that next time because there's some shops, like, specific tailor shops that I wanna go to. I just didn't make the time. Honestly, I was eating too much, and pity took up a lot of my time the other day. Because pity is definitely like a because it's not only the trade show. It's the events and the networking that you can do throughout the day in that surrounding neighborhood in Florence. I really just. Rashad Johnson [00:35:04]: And the more, like the longer you're there, like, 1st day, I didn't have too many networks yet because it's my first time going. As you go there and network there, like, there's just so much going on throughout the day that I honestly didn't really get a shot. I feel like as I go more, I probably have more time to kinda, like, explore. Because as I was talking to these other patrons that have been there before, they're like, as you come back more, if you if I, you know, can make it multiple times, you'll it's kinda the same thing. You see the same people. Sure. Which is has its wins and its minuses. So I think, like, I'm optimistic I'll be able to do that more in the future. Rashad Johnson [00:35:40]: So, hopefully, we can have you back. We can get into that more because the tailors there have great heritage stories, and I'm sure I could learn a lot from. So that would be great to be able to bring those experiences back and share that, and maybe, you know, just apply it here. I'm I'm big on travel, being able to inform the future, taking things from other places, bringing them back, putting our own spin on it. So I'm looking forward to those opportunities. Reginald Ferguson [00:36:08]: So just for clarity Rashad Johnson [00:36:10]: Yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:36:10]: I'm giving you 3 strikes. Rashad Johnson [00:36:12]: You're giving me 3 strikes? Reginald Ferguson [00:36:13]: Yeah. I'm gonna explain. Rashad Johnson [00:36:15]: Okay. Reginald Ferguson [00:36:15]: So you didn't do any store line department store line Reginald Ferguson [00:36:21]: Okay. Reginald Ferguson [00:36:22]: In Florence. Rashad Johnson [00:36:23]: Okay. Reginald Ferguson [00:36:23]: Strike 1. Rashad Johnson [00:36:24]: Strike 1. Alright. Reginald Ferguson [00:36:26]: You acknowledge you didn't get to go to any of the local classic menswear, you know, tailors, suiting. Rashad Johnson [00:36:35]: That one that one hurts me. Because I wanted to connect with a friend, but, yeah, that one hurts. That's her too. Alright, dude. That one hurts. Reginald Ferguson [00:36:45]: And here comes the 3rd. Rashad Johnson [00:36:46]: What's that one? Reginald Ferguson [00:36:48]: You didn't go to the leather market. Rashad Johnson [00:36:50]: Oh, no. Reginald Ferguson [00:36:51]: And sent him. Rashad Johnson [00:36:52]: Get that one. Reginald Ferguson [00:36:54]: Oh, okay. Well, you didn't Rashad Johnson [00:36:55]: see it, bro. Alright. Yeah. That one we did. Reginald Ferguson [00:36:57]: No. He lays down a butt. He sprints. He's safe at first. He's safe at first. Rashad Johnson [00:37:02]: Oh, that one we did, man. Oreos. Reginald Ferguson [00:37:04]: Yeah. The Rashad Johnson [00:37:05]: leather in Italy is definitely next level again. Reginald Ferguson [00:37:08]: Well, come on, Sammy the clamp. Dang it down. Rashad Johnson [00:37:11]: Oh, man. You got a pride out of me. No. But, yeah, the leather in Italy, even just outside of Florence. But, yeah, we went to Santa Maria, went to the leather school. Where else was I? Reginald Ferguson [00:37:21]: Did you also do and I'm dating myself because I've obviously been to Florence. So they also so Santa Maria, like you said, that's the school at the church. But then also right there at the Piazza Mhmm. They have an outdoor shopping, like, leather shopping mart Rashad Johnson [00:37:40]: deals. Yeah. I worked there. Honestly, by the time I got there, I had already got this amazing I can see. Amazing duffel bag, and that's really all I wanted. So I just looked around. They still have that market there, the Reginald Ferguson [00:37:53]: Market. There. Rashad Johnson [00:37:54]: Actually, you know what? I could grab something small, like a excuse me. I can't really formalize the words, but it's like a small knick knack leather piece where you can drop, like, your keys and things like that. Reginald Ferguson [00:38:07]: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I know what you mean. Rashad Johnson [00:38:08]: Pieces. Yeah. Because I just like, I have to get something. I'm going. But, yeah, they still have the market there. The school is great. The school is really cool. It's Amazing. Rashad Johnson [00:38:18]: Yeah. The school is really expanding. Reginald Ferguson [00:38:20]: Yeah. I have a market story for another day. Rashad Johnson [00:38:22]: Yeah. No. You gotta share it now. Reginald Ferguson [00:38:24]: No. No. No. No. Reginald Ferguson [00:38:25]: This is your time. Rashad Johnson [00:38:26]: Alright. Cool. But, yeah, I love going to the school, seeing all the the heritage and the history. You know, you get the things monogrammed there on the spot. That's always Reginald Ferguson [00:38:35]: Hope you got some gloves, son. Rashad Johnson [00:38:37]: Yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:38:37]: They got, like, 50 colors of gloves. Rashad Johnson [00:38:39]: They have so and that was another thing where I'm like, if I go on a leather piece, it's like, you gotta really do it because it's Reginald Ferguson [00:38:46]: For real. Rashad Johnson [00:38:47]: You gotta really do it. You gotta really do it. It's so many different types of letter that you use, so many applications. So, yeah, it was super inspiring. Super inspiring. Reginald Ferguson [00:38:57]: Alright. Woo hoo. I think. Alright. I'm still gonna give you not a strike, but something that maybe you knew about but didn't know about. I wasn't aware of it when I went, but I I've been aware of it for at least the past 10 years now, and I could already sense based on time that you weren't able to have this experience. Are you aware of the outlet mall that is north of Florence? Rashad Johnson [00:39:24]: No, man. I know there's a lot of malls. Their outlets are really good outside. There's one too. I'm so upset I didn't go. Reginald Ferguson [00:39:33]: There's one less than an hour away. Rashad Johnson [00:39:35]: Everything. You know, it's like on vacation. Reginald Ferguson [00:39:38]: No. I get it. I get it. I get it. I'm glad that you were aware. I thought he's gonna whiz 1 by you. Rashad Johnson [00:39:42]: Yeah. No. Definitely. Definitely. Reginald Ferguson [00:39:45]: You made contact. Rashad Johnson [00:39:46]: Yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:39:46]: Baseball guy. Yeah. Yeah. That it's supposed to be amazing. Yeah. And you would've lost your mind. Like Reginald Ferguson [00:39:55]: Yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:39:55]: You would've missed your train, your book your flight, anything. You would've just he's still there. You would've just he would have been a problem. Rashad Johnson [00:40:03]: I just live with the it would have been Reginald Ferguson [00:40:04]: Right. Right. It would have been it would have been a problem. I wanna have some notes here. Sure. So first of all, I would be remiss, because like you said, sometimes you have to get things out of you. Let's keep it real, son. Your first day at Pitti Womo Mhmm. Reginald Ferguson [00:40:23]: Your image was adorned on the street style page. Rashad Johnson [00:40:26]: Oh, yeah. Yeah. That was beautiful. Oh, Reginald Ferguson [00:40:29]: yeah. No. I forgot about that, Reg. Reginald Ferguson [00:40:32]: Yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:40:33]: Oh, just, Yeah. Oh, I would've thought. It just happened, yeah? Reginald Ferguson [00:40:39]: Can you share the story? Rashad Johnson [00:40:41]: That did happen. Yeah. Like, honestly, firstly, I walked in. As soon as I walked in, the tackle was like, hey. You stop, basically. And just, you know, took some pictures. It was, like, right on the way of, like, getting into the actual pavilion area. Shook it up real quick, and he was like, yeah, man. Rashad Johnson [00:41:00]: Your stuff's gonna be on the web page. I'm like, he's just talking. And, no one behaved. I go back and look at it, like, they had to wait. It was not okay. You can see who posted it. Let me see if I can find it, and it was there. So that was pretty cool, man. Rashad Johnson [00:41:14]: That's like a really just cherry on top moment. Bucket list trip first time going, being able to, make it on the street style page is like, it's kind of insane, man, because I used to I used to, like, study those images, like, seasonally, man. Every time they would drop, I would study those. We'd go back and try to fly. The old ones, you just study the style, man. Just looking at how these guys would carry themselves, how they would dress. Because that's like the creme de la creme, man. It's like the best of the best. Rashad Johnson [00:41:49]: As far as European style, again, most of the attendees are predominantly, like, living in Europe somewhere. So just to be able to go was great, and to be able to be photographed, trying to, you know, hang in there with the with the big with the big guns, man, that was that was a dope thing. Hopefully, I can get it to go again next year. Reginald Ferguson [00:42:08]: Yeah. Maybe maybe you run the streak, bro. Rashad Johnson [00:42:10]: Yeah. Let's see how see how get street going. Reginald Ferguson [00:42:12]: So you had a cool m 65 Vietnam jacket. That was the the artwork on the back. Mhmm. Rashad Johnson [00:42:23]: Yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:42:23]: So first of all, where did you cop that? Rashad Johnson [00:42:25]: Oh, of course. I'll let you guess, man. I think you know where I got it. Reginald Ferguson [00:42:29]: Alright. Well, yeah. I figured. Okay. So so so we know where you copped it. Rashad Johnson [00:42:33]: Yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:42:36]: What kind of impact? Because here we are. We're talking about thousands of people. Rashad Johnson [00:42:40]: Mhmm. Reginald Ferguson [00:42:41]: Half the people are in the trade show. Half of the people are hangers on, in my opinion. But, you know, do what you wanna do. Spend your money how you wanna spend it. Rashad Johnson [00:42:50]: Yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:42:51]: Did people did people howler at you pertaining to that jacket? Because, I mean, when I saw it, I went, woah. Rashad Johnson [00:42:57]: Yeah. When did you get that jacket? What's funny, man? I actually didn't even wear that. That was a extra fit. That was a that was a throwaway. So I didn't even wear it at the pity. I wore that the day after pay because I was there for an extra day. Reginald Ferguson [00:43:10]: Oh, alright. Rashad Johnson [00:43:11]: So I was suited up, like, most days. And I was like, oh, let me just say this as a little just a little give me give him a little taste. You know what I mean? Just to get a little throw. Take that. Take that. Get a little throw. But, yeah, I saw that in Japan, and I was like, oh, yeah. I got it. Rashad Johnson [00:43:26]: It's it. That is. I can tell you that is. This is a heat of yeah. Even walking around the city, like, people were, definitely stopping me about that food. This is a really unique piece. Reginald Ferguson [00:43:37]: Yeah. Rashad Johnson [00:43:38]: Do not make food as I've been anymore. No. I think even yeah. I was at this one networking event because there's this thing at Pity. Oh, what's the name of that restaurant? There's a restaurant that everybody goes to at the end of every night, and, like, the Pity guys, they just take over every night faithfully. And, so some, like, couple that was there, like, on, I think Reginald Ferguson [00:44:05]: I think they're, like, on their honeymoon Rashad Johnson [00:44:06]: or something like that. Stopped me because they recognized me from there. I'm like, oh, man. You look great. Like, I love this coat. I recognize you from the other day. They're from there. Cool people. Rashad Johnson [00:44:14]: So, yeah, that coat's definitely a a head turner. Definitely a head turner. One of my favorite vintage pieces, for sure. Reginald Ferguson [00:44:21]: Would you recommend going to you know, really, your Florence trip was about a trade show. Right? Reginald Ferguson [00:44:29]: Mhmm. Reginald Ferguson [00:44:29]: And then the, you know, the extra was doing some shopping. So would you recommend the fashion curious, the fashion confident? Maybe the fashion, you know, unconfident or the fashion confuses. Yeah. That's Would you would you rec would you recommend a trip to Florence and have Pity Womobi the first trip? Rashad Johnson [00:44:55]: For the And Reginald Ferguson [00:44:56]: what would you recommend them to to actually book buy a ticket for the trade show versus hanging out? The thing is, like, it Rashad Johnson [00:45:02]: was kind of difficult Reginald Ferguson [00:45:03]: because, again, as it's gotten more popular, they're Rashad Johnson [00:45:03]: a lot more tough because, again, as it's gotten more popular, they're a lot more tough on. So you have to be able to show some proof of business, like, the purpose of being there to do business at the trade show. So I wouldn't sell them, you know, on that, you know, so unless you really do business there. However, we did I'm sorry. Florence is a great city to visit. Like, there's a lot of people there on honeymoon. And I think, like, even if you're not in a fashion, like, you just wanna go to a nice cool city that's super walkable. Florence is amazingly very walkable. Rashad Johnson [00:45:41]: Everything like the north of the river, you can kinda just walk around against everything. So it's a great city to just sightsee. So for that, even if you're the fashion you know, you said it much much better. I don't Reginald Ferguson [00:45:53]: The fashion confused. Rashad Johnson [00:45:54]: Yeah. Fashion confused is considered a different word. That's a lot more democratic. Yeah. The fashion confused. I think they still would enjoy themselves there, definitely. And I think that people who are definitely more fashionably inclined would enjoy Florence, even if it's not for pity. I think I think Florence is a good city. Rashad Johnson [00:46:13]: I would give it a I would give it a yes for both. Reginald Ferguson [00:46:16]: Alright. We're entering the lightning round. Alright. Rashad, why is fashion important? Rashad Johnson [00:46:23]: The expression, man. The expression simply is, but it's cliche, but it really resonates with me. Being able to express yourself through clothing, because you're gonna do it whether you choose to intentionally or not. Being able to express your way express yourself nonverbally in the way that you intend to is something that I just enjoy if you wanna do with faces. Reginald Ferguson [00:46:45]: What difference has fashion made in your life? Rashad Johnson [00:46:48]: Big difference. You've definitely given me a compass professionally with it being a career. And also I've learned a lot about myself through fashion because style specifically within the realm of fashion is a journey, and it's a journey of self exploration, and how you wanna identify, how you want people to identify you. And I've learned a lot about myself through fashion. That's I know it sounds cliche. Every time somebody says it, I can resonate with it because I've seen it in my life. Just the habits you wanna have, the people you wanna be associated with. Made a lot of friends just through fashion and aesthetic and taste and liking common things. Rashad Johnson [00:47:35]: So that's always cool. So, yeah, I've learned a lot. Reginald Ferguson [00:47:38]: What's the top fashion tip you would give the everyday man so he could look his best? Rashad Johnson [00:47:42]: Don't be afraid to be yourself. Won't be afraid to be the best version of yourself. The latter of the 2. Don't be afraid to be the best version of yourself. That would be the advice I give, because I mean, that's the best way to find your own unique style, whether you do it independently or with a extremely experienced gentleman like yourself. When you embrace, you know, your true self and are able to highlight that and the clones that you're blowing your body with, you can find beautiful things. So be the best version of yourself. Reginald Ferguson [00:48:14]: What does the term always be fly mean to you? Rashad Johnson [00:48:19]: Same answer. I think I said this last time. I just always be on. Have it on. Be on and have it on. You gotta be on 1st, though. You gotta be on. You gotta whether you're putting yourself mentally or physically before you go out, you gotta be on. Rashad Johnson [00:48:33]: You gotta be there. And you gotta have because it's it's thing. You know? Reginald Ferguson [00:48:37]: Alright. Well, I know you have an appointment, Rashad. Thank you so much for the time. Rashad Johnson [00:48:43]: Yeah, man. Reginald Ferguson [00:48:44]: It's cool to cool to see you again. Rashad Johnson [00:48:47]: The pleasure is mine, man. I appreciate you, man. Hopefully, we can line it up. I know we will. I'm a speak it into existence, so I'm looking forward to the to the next one. If you'd like to have me, I'm always welcome to come back, man. It's been a pleasure as always. Reginald Ferguson [00:49:01]: We'll make that happen. Rashad Johnson [00:49:03]: Got it. Catch you guys next time.