Preface:
Have you ever tried high-end Japanese cuisine outside of Japan? Everything seems in place—the chef’s knife skills are impeccable, and you’re greeted with the customary “いらっしゃいませ” as you take your seat. Yet, something feels off. After a recent disappointing Omakase experience, I realized the issue wasn’t the food—it was the chef. While polite, his manner when introducing each dish felt perfunctory and slightly condescending, as if saying, “This is authentic Japanese cuisine, you get it, right?” The pacing was off, and the decor seemed to cut corners on what should have been premium materials. These subtle, nearly invisible details ruined the experience.
People are remarkably sensitive creatures. Whether dining or shopping, the more premium the offering, the more important it is to cater to the most minute, nuanced aspects of the experience. In this sense, a high-end boutique is much like a fine dining restaurant that serves only a limited number of guests each day:
- Fabrics are like ingredients—whether worn or consumed, there’s no room for carelessness.
- The selection of items is like a carefully curated menu—reflecting the taste of the owner and determining whether customers feel it’s worth the price.
- Most importantly, it’s the cultural atmosphere that truly defines the experience.
In the world of classic menswear, any store that’s been around for 40 years is steeped in history and tradition. This year, the Italian menswear and tie boutique Tie your Tie, founded in 1984, celebrates its 40th anniversary. During the height of summer, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Kenji Kaga, president of Tie your Tie, for an interview.
Kaga's Style
Anyone with a passion for classic menswear has likely heard of Kenji Kaga. Beyond running the renowned Tie your Tie store, his Atto Vannucci seven-fold ties have achieved iconic status in the world of classic menswear.
Kaga has a distinctive personal style, further accentuated in recent years by his now iconic white beard. Wherever he stands, there’s a story waiting to be told. When he smiles, he radiates warmth, but when serious, his presence commands respect. The rhythm of his speech and his poised demeanor remind me of a legendary Japanese chef—a master whose reservations must be made months in advance. But in Kaga’s case, his dish is a perfectly tailored Italian menswear.
The Birth of Tie Your Tie
The Tie your Tie boutique was established by Franco Minucci in 1984 on Via della Spada in Florence. Within its modest 23-square-meter space, Minucci curated a collection of Italy’s finest menswear brands, including Kiton and Attolini, alongside the shoes of the late master shoemaker Stefano Bemer. Initially, the high price tags left many customers puzzled—why were these suits so expensive? However, as word spread, more and more discerning Italian gentlemen began to frequent the store.
