GINZA HIKO JOURNAL · MAISON ZILLI
ZILLI, the ultimate choice.
When seeking a luxury menswear brand,
what do you look for in a single garment?
The comfort the moment you put it on. The captivating texture of the material. And the reliability of the tailoring that becomes apparent the longer you wear it.
ZILLI, with its roots in Lyon, France, is a luxury menswear house that pours carefully selected materials and artisanal craftsmanship into everything from suits, jackets, and knitwear to shirts and leather goods. Ginza HIKO will explain why we introduce ZILLI as one of the ultimate choices, based on actual products and our experiences in the field.
01 / THE MAISON
What is ZILLI?
A menswear house with roots in France and Italy.
ZILLI, established in 1965, is a luxury menswear brand originating from Lyon, France. With the leather craftsmanship of Italian tailor Teofilo Zilli as its foundation, the brand offers everything from leather blousons, suits, jackets, and knitwear to shirts, shoes, and leather goods.
When considering the value of a luxury menswear brand, there's a world that cannot be captured solely by suit tailoring or fabric. What we want you to notice about ZILLI is its ability to tailor rare materials into soft and comfortable garments you'll want to wear every day, and the skilled craftsmanship that lies within its simple designs.
ZILLI, which began with a passion for leather craftsmanship, has expanded its range of materials and collections. This manufacturing spirit has been passed down to its ateliers in Lyon, France, and Bergamo and Pescara, Italy. Measuring, cutting, embroidering, sewing, lining, assembling. As a maison rooted in both France and Italy, it continues to shape gentlemen's attire.
- Brand
- ZILLI
- Founded / Origin
- 1965 / Lyon, France
- Ateliers
- Lyon (France), Bergamo & Pescara (Italy)
- Product Range
- Leather blousons, suits, jackets, knitwear, shirts, trousers, shoes, leather goods, etc.
- Current Philosophy
- Peak Luxury — Quality and luxury that values quiet confidence
- Availability in Ginza
- Authorized retailer Ginza HIKO's physical store and online store
02 / QUIET CONFIDENCE
Quiet luxury that defines
today's ZILLI.
Some of you may remember ZILLI as a "flashy and powerful brand," known for its "vibrant silk colors" and "impressive exotic leather." However, we have witnessed firsthand the evolution of their expression throughout their collections to this day. Values change according to the times and what customers demand. While methods of expression and design concepts evolve, we feel a consistent commitment to uncompromising quality.
“Peak luxury doesn’t shout.
In fact, it doesn’t even whisper.”Peak luxury does not shout.
From ZILLI Official "Maison ZILLI" / Japanese translation: Ginza HIKO
In fact, it doesn't even whisper.
This is the phrase "Peak Luxury" that ZILLI currently champions. It aims to create clothes that cherish quiet confidence accompanied by quality, not for showing off or fleeting trends, but to accompany one's life for a long time. This attitude is something we want those who seek quiet luxury to know.
Current ZILLI offers a rich selection centered on subtle tones and material textures. While not all products need to conform to a single style, the assessment of being a "flashy brand" does not adequately represent the current collection.
01
Refining techniques for the wearer
ZILLI's technical innovations aim to create garments that are softer, lighter, more comfortable, and can be cherished for a long time. There's a reason why they meticulously work on materials and tailoring, even in understated attire.
02
For example, the soft luster of dark navy
The silk-cotton stretch jacket we offer at HIKO is attractive for its deep navy color and the luster of its silk. Even without using flamboyant patterns, it's a piece that allows you to enjoy the natural expression of the material itself. Also, the plain long-sleeve T-shirt made of 100% cotton, with a small accent on the chest, exudes a refined sheen characteristic of high-quality materials.
03
03
For example, cashmere that blends into everyday life
One of winter's pleasures is the softness and warmth of cashmere. You can choose from a navy button-neck knit or a sax blue cashmere scarf that HIKO specially ordered, selecting cashmere not found in their usual collections. Enjoying the texture of cashmere in calm colors. This kind of attire is also an accessible entry point to ZILLI.
Examples introduced at Ginza HIKO: Silk-cotton stretch jacket / Button-neck cashmere knit / 100% cotton long-sleeve T-shirt / Ginza HIKO special order cashmere scarf. Prices, stock, and sizes can be found on each product page.
03 / MATERIAL & CRAFT
The reason we call it supreme
is found within each garment.
The reason we introduce ZILLI as one of the ultimate luxury menswear brands is not solely due to the type or price of the materials. It's because the criteria for selecting materials, the skill in handling them, and the thorough finishing, even in unseen parts, are evident in the actual products.
From here, we will primarily focus on the crocodile blousons that HIKO has made for customers in the past. Rather than representing the entirety of current attire, this serves as our valuable record conveying the depth of ZILLI's craftsmanship.
To create a single garment, we traveled to Paris to inspect the raw hides.
The customer requested a leather blouson. The material had to be crocodile, free of blemishes, with beautifully aligned scales, and sufficiently soft. Furthermore, they desired a finish with as few seams as possible.
To make one blouson, several raw hides are used. In addition to the beauty of each individual hide, when finishing them as a single item, the balance of the scales and even the color tones must be matched. When we received word from ZILLI that "the raw hides are ready," we traveled to Paris to confirm the leather.
The subtle depth of color and the softness to the touch. Since we were entrusted with such an important garment, we wanted to verify it with our own eyes and hands.
THE TIME BEHIND THE CRAFT
Crafting from materials that create lightness and beauty.
ZILLI's pursuit of technical excellence aims to make garments softer, lighter, more comfortable, and longer-lasting. This pursuit is evident in the manufacturing process published by the maison for its blousons.
0.4mm
Lambskin, with the lightness of silk.
Glossy finished lambskin is thinned to just 0.4mm. We pursue the lightness reminiscent of silk while utilizing the natural expression of the leather.
Up to14hours
Crocodile, just for cutting.
Carefully selecting and matching leathers to harmonize within a single garment, based on luster, feel, grain, color, and thickness. Cutting to utilize the most beautiful parts can take up to 14 hours for a crocodile blouson.
2–6days
Sewing, handled by one artisan.
After preparing the details, one artisan consistently handles the assembly and sewing, leaving their signature on the finished garment. Depending on the complexity of the model, it takes 2 to 6 days of work to complete.
Source: ZILLI official "Le blouson ZILLI". The numerical values relate to the production process of the materials and models described in the article and are not specifications common to all products.
Neither lightness nor beauty arises by chance. The individuality of each material is assessed, and the necessary effort is diligently invested, supporting each garment.
THE FINISHED PIECE
Rare leather, transformed into a wearable garment.
The carefully selected raw hides were transformed by the artisan's hands into this blouson. The beauty of the scales displayed across a wide surface, and the delicate pleats gathered at the cuffs and hem. Both boldness and subtlety coexist within a single garment.
The pursuit of softness is not only for the sensation upon touching. It's also for the garment to conform to the body and move with it. Both material and tailoring are crucial for this.
The photos are examples of past custom orders. The feasibility of producing the same specifications will be determined after checking the availability of materials and the headquarters' response.
THE ART OF 5.5 CM
Pride resides in just 5.5cm
of the cuff.
Please look at the cuff in the photo. The leather ripples delicately, like fabric. This finishing technique of gathering pleats is called "shirring."
The cuffs we have introduced at HIKO feature a structure where three thin strips of leather are placed on a base leather, and each is gathered into fine pleats and sewn on. What appears to be simply a single piece of leather gathered tightly actually involves multiple layers of work.
What the customer desired for their custom piece was to execute this artistic cuff finish with crocodile leather. The challenge for ZILLI's craftsmanship was to make the textured leather, with its scales, thin and soft enough to form fine pleats, while still maintaining its durability as a garment.
Beyond merely stating, "We use crocodile leather," what we want you to see is the extent of the craftsmanship invested in it.
BEYOND THE SURFACE
The same aesthetic,
even on the underside of the lid.
This briefcase also uses crocodile leather on the underside of the lid.
It's a place not visible when carrying it closed, yet the owner touches its finish every time it's opened. It's not just about how it looks to others, but about what the wearer feels. We believe this product also embodies ZILLI's essence.
Not limiting the value of rare materials to only what is visible from the outside. This attitude aligns with the concept of quiet luxury.
A RARE ENCOUNTER
A brand encountered after seeking
masterpieces.
For decades, ZILLI was a brand whose presence was hard to know unless one traveled abroad, as its distribution in Japan was limited to a few stores.
Nevertheless, its value has gradually spread among those who pursue the philosophy of materials, tailoring, and craftsmanship, rather than relying solely on brand recognition. "A luxury brand that those who have mastered masterpieces ultimately arrive at." Over the years of serving customers, we have encountered many situations that affirm this statement.
To convey its profound appeal, retailers are required to have specialized knowledge, discerning eyes, and a willingness to spend time engaging with customers. It means assessing quality and explaining the reasons behind prices that match that value. Continuously handling ZILLI comes with the determination and effort required of a retailer.
There was a time when ZILLI had an agent in Japan, and its collections were introduced in multiple stores and department stores. Currently, Ginza HIKO is the only domestic store that orders and procures its latest collections from the local market every season.
Connecting this exclusive maison with customers in Japan. We carefully select each piece, cherishing this role.
04 / FROM LYON TO GINZA
For over thirty years, we have engaged directly
and connected with our customers.
For over 30 years, we at HIKO have traveled to the actual locations, selected, and procured ZILLI's latest collections. Through an ongoing relationship that began with founder Tetsuhiko Nakamura, we have visited their headquarters, conversed with their representatives, and conveyed our customers' wishes.
Consultations for special materials and specifications also arise from these relationships. We listen to requests, confirm feasibility with the headquarters, and if necessary, visit the site to inspect them. This accumulation of efforts is HIKO's work.
THREE STORIES
Behind masterpieces
lie human stories.
From the manufacturing floor. In conversations with customers. And through interactions with the people of the maison. HIKO's encounters with ZILLI's true nature are chronicled in three notes.
The Aesthetics of 5.5cm
The story behind the aforementioned crocodile blouson. Why a customer who had once decided to have it made by another company chose ZILLI again. We recounted the sentiments entrusted to a single garment, from consultation to completion.
Read "The Aesthetics of 5.5cm"The Pull of a Masterpiece
“Please, this way.” A story of how a ZILLI coat led a customer into a private room at the Hermès main store in Paris.
Read "The Pull of a Masterpiece"The Universe of a White Box
"Enjoy it on the train," the then-president handed me a bento box. The moment I opened the white box on my way home, I felt I had touched the heart of the maison.
Read "The Universe of a White Box"05 / YOUR WARDROBE
Envisioning each and every
one of your faces.
Several times a year, I visit the ZILLI showroom in Milan to order the collection for seasons six to eight months in advance. "This color would suit that customer," "This softness would be perfect for that person..." These are the masterpieces I've selected, envisioning each and every one of your faces.
Ginza HIKO showcases them in our physical store and online. Please feel free to consult us regarding sizes, material feel, or occasions for wear.
Suits, Jackets, Blousons
The central piece of your attire. You can choose based on the material's expression and comfort, suitable for going out, dining, or travel.
Knitwear, Shirts
Enjoy the difference in materials, especially for items worn close to the skin. Starting with subdued colors like navy makes them easier to pair with your existing wardrobe.
Trousers, Shoes
To complete your overall look, not just the upper body impression. Our collection also includes denim, relaxed trousers, and sneakers.
Leather goods, Special consultations
From small items that allow you to enjoy the feel of leather up close, to consultations focusing on specific materials and colors. For custom orders, we will confirm feasibility with the headquarters after hearing your requests.
06 / QUESTIONS
Frequently asked questions about ZILLI.
What country is ZILLI from?
ZILLI is a luxury menswear brand founded in 1965, originating from Lyon, France. Building on the leather craftsmanship of Italian tailor Teofilo Zilli, it now offers everything from clothing to shoes and leather goods. Its ateliers are located in Lyon, France, and Bergamo and Pescara, Italy, with the country of production varying by item.
Why is ZILLI considered one of the ultimate luxury menswear brands?
Ginza HIKO introduces ZILLI as one of the ultimate luxury menswear brands due to its criteria for material selection, its technique for pursuing lightness and comfort, and its meticulous finishing down to the smallest details. This feature includes manufacturing processes published by the maison and practical examples based on over 30 years of handling experience. We convey its value through both current attire such as jackets, knitwear, and shirts, and the depth of its craftsmanship.
Does ZILLI fit into the category of quiet luxury?
Current ZILLI officially champions "Peak Luxury," which values quality and quiet confidence. In addition to opulent items, there are many options focused on understated tones and material textures, offering a wide selection for those seeking quiet luxury.
Is ZILLI solely a leather brand?
While leatherwear is one of ZILLI's iconic specialties, it is a menswear brand that offers everything from suits, jackets, and knitwear such as cashmere, to shirts, trousers, shoes, and leather goods. Ginza HIKO provides guidance on items ranging from clothing to accessories, tailored to each customer's attire.
Where can I purchase or inquire about ZILLI in Japan?
You can purchase or inquire at Ginza HIKO's authorized physical store and online store. Our physical store is located in Ginza 2-chome, Tokyo. For product sizes, material feel, and custom orders, please contact us via our inquiry page or LINE.
Can I order the crocodile blouson in the photo?
The photo shows a custom-made item that Ginza HIKO produced for a customer in the past. We cannot guarantee the production of the same specifications. We will inquire with the headquarters about the feasibility of production after hearing your desired material, color, size, and specifications.
VISIT GINZA HIKO
Experience ZILLI
in Ginza.
The softness of the material, the comfort when you put your arm through the sleeve. Please take your time to discover the charm that photos alone cannot convey at our store.
Ginza HIKO
Habir Ginza II 2F2-8-17 Ginza, Chuo-ku
Tokyo 104-0061
Phone: 03-6264-4450
Monday-Saturday 11:00–20:00
Sunday & Public Holidays 11:00–19:00
Closed: December 31 & January 1
Accessible from Ginza Station and Ginza-itchome Station. We are on the 2nd floor of the glass-paneled building, to the left of the stationery store "K.Itoya". Please use the elevator.
For temporary closures and changes in business hours, please check the announcements on our online store.
ZILLI AT GINZA HIKO
Next, experience it with your own eyes and hands.
How that one piece will integrate into your daily life.
Please take your time to find out at Ginza HIKO.
