In the early 2000s, if you had asked me what my favourite clothes were, I would have answered without hesitation that they were C Diem. For a while, I wore a single-breasted leather jacket made from horse leather, this leather shirt, a linen shirt, a three-quarter-length T-shirt with unfinished edges, zip-up boots and lace-up boots in rotation.
The bottom that went well with C Diem was denim from the American West Coast. My casual style was to wear a pair of heavy-weight, damaged, boot-cut jeans from Stitch's, and a thick, antique-finished studded belt from HTC. This time, we're going to talk about C Diem.
C Diem is a brand created by Maurizio Altieri, and it was active from the mid-90s to the mid-2000s. It is characterised by its use of leather and linen to create a decadent world, with a focus on the wear and tear of objects, rather than superficial damage.
With its unique worldview, this brand produced a core of passionate fans rather than general popularity. Although it wasn't called that at the time, recently it has been called an artisan-type brand, and creators influenced by it have inherited its ideas and are making unique clothes.
In terms of fashion concepts, brands similar to C Diem are Carol Christian Poel and Paul Harden. I didn't end up buying any Paul Harden, but I did own a tailored jacket by Carol Christian Poel that had a cotton top and bottom that were cut in different ways, and I wore it occasionally.
These clothes are designed to be enjoyed by the designer, and have nothing to do with comfort or warmth. The key difference between these clothes and so-called high-end brands is that they have no ostentatious elements, and they do not have the so-called luxury worldview. I heard that the members of Blankey Jet City wore these clothes on stage in the 1990s, so they are also clothes that rock musicians like to wear.
C Diem and Carol Christian Poel are popular with people in the fashion and beauty industries, so I'm giving away the C Diem single-breasted rider jacket, the Carol Christian Poel tailored jacket, long-sleeved T-shirt and laced-up boots that I had. The junior staff member who received them was very happy and loves them very much, and wears them with care.
At that time, I hesitated to give them away, so I kept the leather shirt, linen shirt and zip-up boots. Later, I gave the leather shirt, zip-up boots, linen shirt and long-sleeved T-shirt to the junior colleague who had received the Berluti, and he was very pleased with them and wears them with care.
Just like Berluti, there are people who want this C Diem that I bought nearly 20 years ago, and when I give it to them, they take good care of it. However, unlike Berluti, the designer has retired and the brand itself has disappeared, so the after-sales service system has also disappeared. However, the two people I gave them to found a good tailor and repair shop, had them tailored to fit them, and are wearing them very carefully.
I have passed on the clothes that I bought and wore with care to two people who wear them with the same love and affection as I do. I think that is a wonderful thing that goes hand in hand with the word ‘sustainability’, like Berluti and C Diem. I'm looking forward to the day when the clothes and shoes that I'm crazy about now become like that in the future.
C Diem's signature zip-up boots and leather shirts
Just like the previous Berluti, C Diem is something that I have worn with affection and taken care of, and my junior colleagues have taken over and are wearing it with affection and taking care of it. At the heart of it is the wonder of craftsmanship, and while it may not be recognised by many people, I cherish it and wear it with affection whenever I get the chance. I hope that I can feel the wonder of this and that the things I am currently passionate about will eventually become like that too.
The articles on this site introduce items that I have a special attachment to and wear with care. I am also satisfied with the wisdom and skills of the creators, the universality and beauty of the items, and the fact that I can wear them, but I also feel that they are accompanied by the commitment and social nature of the creators and sellers. I hope you will be interested in these items.
Barneys New York Official Website
I bought the C Diem and other items introduced here at the Barneys New York Yokohama store in the early 2000s. Recently, I've lost interest in trendy items and don't visit as often as I used to, but the products they have on offer are all wonderful, and there are lots of items that I want to buy when I visit from time to time.
A few years ago, I bought a cashmere knit from Alanui and a Slogan stadium jacket. When I go to the store, I always discover something new, and the staff choose interesting products, so I always find something new. Last season, when I looked in the Ginza store, they were selling Paul Harden, so if I get the chance, I'd like to buy something.
