Men Of The World: Yuki Yoshioka aka Control Freak!!
The evening of my first encounter with Yuki Yoshioka – who performs and records as Control Freak!! – in April 2006 in Tokyo’s Red Bar sparked a cherished friendship but turned out to be more momentous for a member of our party, Meri.
Introduced that night, these days Meri and Yuki are married and live in London with their gorgeous daughter, Marika.
In Red Bar, shoes provided the spark for conversation between Yuki and I: mine Pokit laceless brogues, his an unusually shaped and coloured pair of desert boots.
Yuki, how would you describe your style?
Trend-dodging.
Portrait of Control Freak!! as a young man, with his sister Ayu.
And how has your look changed over the years?
More wrinkles + less hair = more handsome (for weirdo lovers).
When did you adopt your trademark look; hooped t-shirts, corduroy trousers, velvet jackets, lace-up boots, etc?
When I realised following trends doesn’t take me anywhere.
Do you keep clothes/have you a big wardrobe?
I still have 3 stripey T-shirts by Agnes B which I bought in the mid-90s.
What garment would you like to wear/have most in the whole wide world?
Granny Takes A Trip jacket (presently in possession of Paul Gorman)
Is there a period in fashion with which you align yourself?
The stripey T-shirt period.
What’s your style tip of the moment?
Stop looking in the mirror before you get upset.
Kiyoshiro Imawan, 1951-2009.
Leroy "Horsemouth" Wallace.
Who encapsulates the word “stylish” for you?
Kiyoshiro Imawano + Leroy”Horsemouth”Wallace
Control Freak!! performs in London regularly. Visit his website here.