NEEDLES x Brooks Brothers Collab: How Keizo Shimizu Reinterprets American Ivy Style Through Suit Logic
NEPENTHES founder Keizo Shimizu helms the NEEDLES x Brooks Brothers collaboration, with blazers and trousers sold as matched sets. Pre-orders open September 2, followed by wider release at Japan stores on September 9.
The decision to sell blazers and trousers as complete sets is itself worth noting. NEEDLES has always been known for deconstructed tailoring and layered silhouettes, but this time, in collaboration with Brooks Brothers, it opts to preserve the most traditional suit logic—jacket and trousers matched in the same colorway, offered in black and burgundy—without deliberately breaking apart the integrity of Ivy formalwear.
The collection is led by NEPENTHES founder Keizo Shimizu, with NEEDLES being one of NEPENTHES' own labels. The collaboration spans blazers, knitwear, accessories, and footwear—a fairly substantial lineup—yet every piece shows a clear intent to preserve Brooks Brothers' original vocabulary rather than overhaul it entirely.
The blazer is priced at ¥107,800, with matching trousers at ¥52,800, both available in black and burgundy. The check button-down shirt retails for ¥34,100, offered in green and red. Knitwear comes in two styles: a V-neck sweater at ¥49,500, available in black-purple and brown-orange colorways, and a turtleneck sweater at ¥39,600, available in black and purple. The silk tie is priced at ¥22,000, and leather loafers at ¥154,000, also finishing out in black and burgundy—this consistent color logic runs throughout the entire collection, allowing pieces to be mixed and matched into complete looks.
The release unfolds in two phases. Pre-orders open first on September 2, available through Brooks Brothers Shinjuku Isetan, Umeda Hankyu, all Nepenthes stores, and the official websites of all three parties. The collection then sees wider release at designated Brooks Brothers stores in Japan on September 9. For now, information is limited to the Japanese market, with no mention yet of plans for overseas release.