Introduction: There’s a Reason for the Price
Starting with Spring/Summer 2026 (26SS), FASCINATE will officially carry “mastermind JAPAN / MASTERMIND WORLD”.
In Vol.1, we touched on the brand’s history. This time, we’ll tackle a candid question many people likely have.
“Why is mastermind so expensive?”
T-shirts cost tens of thousands of yen, and hoodies can run into the hundreds of thousands.
From a typical sense of value, that pricing is surprising. However, as FASCINATE customers know, there is always a “reason” behind the price.
It isn’t simply a brand premium. Behind it lies the designer’s obsessive commitment—once even spoken of with awe as “materials obsession”—and a meticulous strategy designed to erase any point of comparison.
In this article, we’ll thoroughly break down the credibility of that “quality,” as well as the difference between the two lines—“JAPAN” and “WORLD”—which is often the biggest point of hesitation when purchasing.
See the Latest mastermind Arrivals Here
1. Material Obsession That Erases Any “Comparison”
At one point, when Mr. Honma found the brand on the brink of survival, he decided “if it’s going to end anyway,” and began choosing materials while completely ignoring market pricing. That philosophy still remains today.
■ Making Cashmere and Silk Everyday Wear
Typically, sweatshirts and T-shirts are made from cotton. mastermind, however, boldly uses top-tier materials such as 100% cashmere and 100% silk without hesitation.
“If this is how it ends, then I might as well change every material.” With that decision, the moment customers pick up the product, they feel an overwhelming difference in quality (weight and touch) that fundamentally separates it from other brands.
Even if you try to compare, there’s nothing else on the same playing field. This is the biggest reason why it continues to be chosen—even at a high price.
■ Transparency Proven by the “Credits Roll”
While many brands conceal factory information, mastermind clearly lists the names of fabric mills and sewing factories (supplier names) on the tag.
Like an end credit roll in a film, it shows gratitude to partners who took risks together—while also serving as a certificate of quality that says, “This price is justified because it was made by these world-class craftspeople.”
Not “clothes made by someone unknown,” but “clothes made by craftspeople you can put a name to.” For FASCINATE customers who love artisan-minded brands, this should be one of the most trustworthy proofs.
2. The Skull Isn’t Just a “Print”
The iconic skull on the back may look like a print from afar, but in many cases it’s expressed through “jacquard,” “embroidery,” or even “Swarovski.”
・Jacquard (Jacquard):
Rather than laying ink on the surface like a print, this technique creates the pattern through the knit/weave structure itself.
As a result, it is physically impossible for the “print” to crack or peel—no matter how many times it’s washed.
・LIFETIME (Clothes You Can Wear for Life):
The background behind the myth of “it won’t degrade even after 1,000 washes” lies in these “non-peeling specifications” and “rugged material choices.”
In recent collections, “LIFETIME” has also been set as a theme, meaning these garments are not trend items consumed in a single season, but are designed as “lifelong assets.”
3. In-Depth Comparison: Which Should You Choose, “JAPAN” or “WORLD”?
Since the brand’s revival in 2017, it has been divided into two lines.
| Features | mastermind JAPAN (MMJ) | MASTERMIND WORLD (MMW) |
|---|---|---|
| Concept |
Centered on “MADE IN JAPAN,” bringing Japan’s materials, traditional techniques, and cutting-edge technology into real clothes. |
A global-market line launched in 2017 alongside the revival. Developed mainly through high-end select shops overseas. |
| Launch timing |
Started in 1997. Paused once in 2013 → relaunched from Fall/Winter 2017. |
Launched simultaneously in 2017 as a “new line” |
| Recommended for |
Those who want to choose based on Japan-made quality and a focus on materials and tailoring. Those looking for mastermind grounded in long-lasting “quality,” with a feel that can be worked into basics for years. |
Those who want to follow the global line of mastermind (developed with overseas distribution in mind). Those looking for items that add an accent, including broader color use and collaborations. |
・What makes MMJ special:
A relentless pursuit of materials, techniques, and construction with MADE IN JAPAN at its core. The logo functions as a seal of quality; its quiet strength is easy to integrate into daily wear, and you can cherish it for a long time—story included.
・What makes MMW special:
A stronger push for the global market. With a broader lineup that includes elements not found in JAPAN, the price range is wider as well. From collaborations to oversized pieces, it works as both a layering tool and a statement.
Conclusion: This Is Not “Consumption,” but “Investment”
Materials chosen without regard for cost ratios, and traditional techniques that don’t rely on prints———.
mastermind’s clothing is expensive because it possesses “physical and design durability (Emotional Durability)” that won’t end as a fleeting trend.
Replacing a few-thousand-yen T-shirt every year is one choice.
But owning one piece of “true black” that still remains in your closet 10 years from now—and makes you stand a little straighter every time you wear it.
That may be called an “investment” in your life rather than simple consumption.
Next, in the final Vol.3, we’ll explore the deep connection between the brand and FASCINATE’s bases—“Osaka and Kyoto”—and take a closer look at “mastermind today,” which continues to captivate the world.