「DEEP DIVE」 FISHING VEST Welcome back to “DEEP DIVE.” In this series, we go behind the scenes to trace the genesis of our favorite Engineered Garments items. In this installation, we took out our magnifying glass to examine the Fishing Vest, a new Engineered Garments item that retools utilitarian fishing gear into an aesthetic exploration. Engineered Garments designer Daiki Suzuki scoured catalogs, magazines, and movies for the sliver of a concealed idea. While examining vintage fishing jackets he became fixated on the inner game pocket. Often fitted with a waterproof coating, these pockets store caught fish. He began mapping out his approach to turn this pocket into the centerpiece of his vision. Daiki reached a breakthrough when he moved the game pocket to the outside, wrapping it around the vest’s left side. He put a pair of matching flap pockets to balance its exaggerated presence on the right side. With the pocket system decided, Daiki looked at the rest of the garment. His next objective was to find a system that added length. He found the solution in traditional English hunting vests, which include a detachable skirt for sitting down on wet surfaces. This skirt gives the Fishing Vest a dramatic silhouette, with side vents, button-closed pockets, belt loops, and an elastic drawstring at the hem. Fully detachable, the wearer can wear the upper and lower pieces individually. The vest’s finishing touch comes with a string closure system sourced from the top coat of a multi-layer snow camouflage combat uniform. Found on an all-white, over-parka designed to conceal soldiers in Arctic conditions, the sting closure allowed soldiers to close the parka without taking off their gloves. Daiki liked the design’s look and noticed the parallel to fishing gloves, making it a natural fit for the vest. The Fishing Vest is a pure expression of the Engineered Garments spirit. It is a conceptual undertaking that transforms a single pocket into a cohesive design, all while matching the nautical theme of the Fall Winter 2022 collection. Mixing juxtaposition, adaptability, and tradition, Daiki invites the wearer to experiment and create a new style.