[NEW RAL PROJECT] RAL meets holk / Player Shirt

As people who have turned play into our work, our minds are naturally always full of play.
Whether it’s our next holiday ride, running, hiking, or even our daily work or casual everyday life, we often find ourselves thinking that everything is just another form of play.
　
Because of this, we have always wanted to make a chambray shirt that we could wear anytime, doing anything. We are convinced that there is no outer layer as versatile as a collared shirt, and if you look back at our past Circles blogs, you can see that we’ve tried just about every shirt that seemed to meet our needs. While they were perfectly fine for normal life, as soon as we were in the middle of our activities, we would feel small frustrations with subtle points like the width of the armholes, the length of the body, the stiffness of the fabric, or the placement of the pockets. This is why we decided that the next shirt we made with RAL would be one we thought through seriously. After a year of trial and error, this RAL Player Shirt was born.
　

The first thing we demanded from this Player Shirt was, above all, ease of movement. It needed to be something that could be worn comfortably and without stress whether riding a bike or doing anything else. Unlike the stretch fabrics commonly used these days, the chambray fabric we chose is 100% cotton, prioritizing texture, comfort, and most importantly, durability. Consequently, we achieved ease of movement through the shirt's pattern itself, through careful adjustments to details like the body width and armhole circumference, as well as the yoke height and how the darts are taken.

We were also particular about the sleeve length, ensuring they cover the wrists nicely even when reaching forward. By making the cuffs narrow, it gives the shirt a softer look and also makes it easy to roll up the sleeves when it gets hot or when you are performing some kind of task. The buttons are made of rubber, just like those used on rugby shirts, to prevent injury in the event of accidental breakage.

Furthermore, chambray—long used in work shirts—is a plain weave that is much thinner than denim but exceptionally durable, making it a piece that can be worn hard. We want you to throw it on lightly and without hesitation in any situation. As you continue to wear it, not only will the texture gain character, but even if it happens to tear, we hope you will continue to wear it, perhaps repairing it with stitches or patches just like a pair of jeans.
　

In addition, it features a back pocket, an indispensable element of cycle wear. Although the fabric is thin, it is very convenient for storing items you frequently take in and out, such as keys or a smartphone. It is deep enough that your stored items won't fall out.

　　
　
To realize this vision, we collaborated with holk, an apparel brand that started this spring right here in Aichi.

Based on the concept of "clothing for those close to us," holk's products are created through processes ranging from weaving to sewing by skilled craftsmen in small factories in the Bishu region of western Aichi, an area that has thrived as a textile hub for a long time. Today, as the textile industry faces a decline due to an aging workforce, they are working alongside young craftspeople to learn techniques and create products that will last for generations. Their goal is to make products that enrich the hearts of everyone involved, from the manufacturing process to the people who ultimately use them.

　
Although holk has just begun, the brand was launched by Yoichiro Yamamoto, the designer behind COMMONOreproducts. While that brand closed its doors at the end of last year to much regret, it was a step forward for each of its members to move to a new stage.

While holk inherits the spirit of COMMONOreproducts, it expresses more of Yamamoto's individual personality. The clothes he designs take motifs from items made as tools, such as workwear and sportswear, and are meant to be worn daily and for a long time in modern life. These are exactly what we were looking for. The fact that they are produced in our local Bishu region, combined with the newfound agility he gained by going solo, led us to create this product together in this way.
　
And so, RAL meets holk was launched. The first form we realized was our long-cherished chambray shirt.

　
It is the first piece born from our encounter with holk, and we are confident that it is something that will stay with the people who wear it for a long time.
　
With second and third projects already underway for RAL meets holk, please look forward to what’s coming next.