Yoshio Sadasue Interview On Kamakura Shirts, American Style

Yoshio Sadasue started his Japanese brand, Kamakura Shirts, in 1991 and opened the first store, with his wife Tamiko, two years later. Today, there are 23 Kamakura Shirts stores throughout Japan, and Sadasue recently celebrated the one year anniversary of the company's first U.S. location. The Madison Avenue flagship is a dream come true. "This store was exactly what I wanted," Sadasue told Uinterview exclusively. "I reached my dream fruitfully, and it was a long way to get to New York since I started working in the fashion industry."

Sadasue's vision for Kamakura Shirts has always been to portray the classic Ivy League style and offer the highest quality of clothing and customer service matched with affordable prices. From 1966 to 1978, Sadasue learned prep fashion working for VAN Jacket, the brand that populaized the style in Japan. "The people in Japan recognized the American lifestyle and the American prosperity at that time so we envied this very much," said Sadasue.

What tips does Sadasue have for customers looking to buy quality shirts and ties? "The tie should be handmade. A handmade tie can withhold greater tension twisted then machine-made ties," Sadasue told Uinterview. "Buy a shirt with a non-fusible cotton lining. It's soft and fits well around the neck."