As part of our series of portraits of inspiring creatives we had a natter with Atsushi Hasegawa, Head of Creative at the incredible The Newt in Somerset, fly fisher and DJ extraordinaire.
Atsushi told us about his upbringing in Japan and how he ended up in rural Somerset via Paris, his inspirations growing up and his dream H&B outfit.
These beautiful photos taken by our mutual friend Dave Watts say so much about your character and strong sense of style. So you grew up in Japan - was this in the city or in the countryside? Can you give us a little snapshot of your life growing up.
Though I grew up in a small flat in Nagoya city (between Tokyo and Kyoto) as a child I spent most weekends at my grandmother’s farmhouse in the countryside, amongst the rice fields, mountains and rivers. I taught myself to fly fish which has become one of my lifelong ways to meditate.
Later, as a teenager, record stores in Nagoya captured my curiosity and I began to discover jazz, soul, and disco music from the US and Europe.
I didn’t really enjoy school, my life was mainly outside and my passion for music took me to nightclubs, watching different DJs playing records and meeting many interesting people working in fashion, music and art.
I got a job at the first ever Vivienne Westwood shop in Japan and it was there that experimenting with clothing and my identity began to open my eyes and my world. I used to change into a kilt in a public toilet at the end of my road so my parents didn’t see my ‘questionable’ (for them) fashion choices. Fashion was strongly connected to music and street culture then, and I loved being part of a tribe and there was a really fresh energy around in the mid to late 80’s. I feel lucky to have experienced the first arrival of the hip hop movement to Japan from the US. It was an interesting time.
Did you study in Japan? And what was the decision to leave for Europe?
I moved to Tokyo to study Fashion at Bunka University where well-known designers such as Kenzo and Yohji Yamamoto had previously graduated. My course was focused on womenswear and the more technical side of design, but I was more interested in the wearing and styling of clothing.
After leaving university, I worked for a TV producer in Tokyo, he was orchestrating many different projects at the same time, from fashion shows, to pop idol bands to films, cinema, radio, theatre…it definitely influenced me in terms of believing and understanding that it was possible to be or do more than one thing at a time.
After this, I juggled 3 jobs; Fly fishing instructor, DJ and Illustrator. Looking back, I can see that although each job was totally different, somehow they fulfilled me equally.
We know you moved to Paris - how did that come about? What were you working on there?
When I was in my mid twenties, the codes and rules of my culture began to feel a bit stifling. I was teaching fly fishing and there was a lot about US and European culture. I found an article about a little french fly fishing shop in Paris called Maison de la Mouche, where Hemingway and Coco Chanel used to visit. It was not the time of the internet and research was not at your fingertips like it is now, but I did some digging and I found the address, I learnt some basic french and I wrote to them. They wrote back and invited me to visit. So I did. For a couple of summers, with a rucksack and a fishing rod, I visited Paris from Japan. The shop owners and fly fishing community welcomed me into their world and I spent time with them by the river or for long lunches around tables full of baguettes, cheese and wine. It wasn’t a tourist visit, I was fully immersed in what was quite an old fashioned Parisian life, which was vastly different from my Tokyo life. I ended up moving there and teaching fly fishing on the banks of the river Seine to people of all ages and from all walks of life. I have never lived in Japan since.
Is this where you began to DJ?
I started Djing in Tokyo in clubs, playing with Nigo (A Bathing Ape) and Hiroshi Fujiwara, both considered ‘Godfathers of street culture’. I discovered hip-hop and went to see RUN-DMC and Beastie Boys when they first came to Japan.
When I came to Paris, my interest in music didn’t disappear and I spent most weekends hunting flea markets for undiscovered musical treasures and I began to develop a more individual taste and style rather than following the particular trends of the time. I trusted my own ears and eyes. Over the years, my DJ style has become more established and I like to juxtapose unexpected sounds together.
Paris is also where you met your wife, artist Alice Lynch, who was our last 'Portrait' (Read it here). You have both had such interesting journeys! And that meeting brought you to Somerset, quite a change! How do you find it?
Originally, I was reluctant to move here, it was really a move for the family and to be honest, the first year was a total culture shock and it took quite some time to adjust. I didn’t speak much English and I felt like I was starting again. Having come from such a diverse city like Paris, or a busy place like Tokyo, I wasn’t sure where I could fit in the rural British countryside BUT I have found ways to connect with people through my 3 passions : fly fishing, music and design and I feel much more settled here now.
Such a difference to your childhood in Japan. If you could transport one element of Japan to the UK what would it be?
In Japan there is a quiet and unspoken respect towards one another which is hard to explain without being there, but I do miss this - it seems to be less about the individual and more about working together as one, it’s not a ‘me first’ culture. I can see this more clearly having been away for so long.
You are now Head of Creative at The Newt in Somerset, it’s quite an amazing place - what does your role there involve?
As Head of Creative, I am involved in all areas of design, creativity, visuals and aesthetics, there is lots of variety and a focus on fine attention to detail.
We saw you are a keen fly fisher in your spare time. So different to DJ-ing. one very solitary and the other very sociable, does that reflect your character?
Absolutely. I need both for balance. I thrive off being around other people, but equally I need space and time alone with my thoughts.
You have a very strong sense of style, what have been your influences over the years.
Mmm difficult to answer…! I have been loving clothes for almost 40 years, so I have been through quite different styles. I really enjoyed the late 80’s and early 90’s when we started mixing vintage and new fashion items, of course, everyone does this now, but at the time it felt very original and expressive.
And of course, you always look amazing in our Humphries & Begg clothes - how did you first come across us?
My wife took me to the H&B shop in Stroud. It felt like being in a sweet shop, And I fell in love with some of the printed jumpsuits. Also your staff were so lovely to chat with (this is important!)
If we could make you your dream outfit? What would it be?
I would love a H&B total look, top to toe pattern-matched fishing/hunting vest, hat, jump-suit and matching shoes and socks.
What exciting projects do you have on the horizon?
We’re off to Japan this summer, it’s been five years and I’ve heard Japan has changed quite a lot recently so it will be interesting to explore my country and above all, to see my family.
Atsushi wears:
Patchwork Shirt in 'Swirly Pants' & 'Candy Dreams'
Photographs by Dave Watts: https://wattsdave.com/