John Lawrence Sullivan: Big in Japan

To boxing aficionados and trivia masterminds the name John Lawrence Sullivan brings to mind a certain Boston Strong Boy, the first heavyweight champion that captured the boxing world’s attention at the dawn of the 20th century and whose long undergarment fighting outfit is rumored to have been behind the naming of the Long Johns. The sartorial connection does not end there however. Since 2003, Japanese designer Arashi Yanagawa has been designing his menswear collections – and a smaller women’s line - under the same name.

Already an established name in Japan, with one store in Tokyo and a second one opening this August in Kyoto, John Lawrence Sullivan is an amalgam of influences like mod, grunge and more traditional British tailoring. Is this purposeful or simply an organic extension of what catches Arashi’s eye? “This is not on purpose especially”, he tells us, “but I think it's a kind of consequence of always keeping in mind to challenge spirits. It appears in my designs.” The boxing connection also continues with what must surely be the most unlikely career change in fashion.

Following in his family’s tradition, Arashi took up boxing professionally he explains, “as a kid, on the suggestion of my father. It fit me, my character, very much and I had a good record. But at the same time, I’ve always had an interest in fashion.” Was the transition between boxing and fashion an easy one? “I never went to fashion school, it was very hard at the beginning but my friends understood my enthusiasm in fashion and supported me, so I've learnt by them so many things.” It may seem like a naïve and too literal interpretation of the label’s upcoming AW11 collection - and the high quality of the refined fabrics that Arashi insists on using certainly contradicts that – but would the hooded jackets, sleeveless sportswear and marl grey leggings have anything to do with the designer’s background? “It's natural that I am influenced by boxing”, he says, “because I practiced boxing for so many years. The most important and biggest influence is the spirit to keep challenging myself.” Spoken like a true champion!