In 1972 SAZABY LEAGUE, Ltd. founder Rikuzō Suzuki started importing pieces
of well-used furniture he found in Europe for sale in Japan,
An unfamiliar practice yet to take root in country.
Attractive yet affordable products adding a bit of fun luxury to the home came to be
accepted widely as a new value.
This is how The SAZABY LEAGUE DNA we cherish to this day was formed
~ an everyman/woman’s perspective, new value proposals and the will to
put thrills into motion.
Founder Rikuzo Suzuki established SAZABY Inc. to import and sell furniture. The business was launched under the concept of bringing affordable luxury and a joyful lifestyle to the ordinary consumer.
Apr.
Established SAZABY Inc. to import furniture for sale in Japan
Began design, manufacture and sales of bags and related merchandise
Established original bag brand SAZABY sold mainly wholesale to department stores
Jul.
Head office relocated to Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Began design, manufacture and sales of textiles (print design) and clothing for apparel makers
Restaurant Bar "Silver Spoon" Started
Jun. Head office relocated to Motoyoyogi-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Afternoon Tea proposed a European lifestyle that was within reasonable reach. The store combined a tea room with sales of household goods. The presentation was revolutionary at the time, comprehensively offering a lifestyle experience with products and service in a cozy space.
Sep. Opened as the first Afternoon Tea store, an original brand of combined tearoom and household goods
Dec. Established agnès b. SUNRISE, INC. as a joint venture with C.M.C. S.A. of France
Feb. “agnès b.” Started
In an era when designer brands were at their height of popularity, the simple and comfortable French casual style of agnès b. brought a breath of fresh air to Japan.
SAZABY’s functional, stylish bags, designed under the concept of “taking the standpoint of consumers” were inspired by founder Rikuzo Suzuki’s experiences of traveling the world.
The brilliantly designed bags made of light, durable nylon captured the hearts of many.
Apr. Opened as the first SAZABY brand bag store for direct sales (mainly wholesale until then)
Jul. Established FAR EAST COMPANY INC.
Jul. Established KIHACHI & S. Inc.
Feb Head office and Sales HQ relocated to Higashi Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo
Sep. “KIHACHI” Started
The first agete store was opened on the prominent Kotto-dori (“antique street”) in Aoyama.
The rich lineup included contemporary-casual original designs using silver, gold, and precious and semiprecious stones alongside richly unique designer accessories and European antique jewelry. Mixing products of various categories like this was unusual and made the store very distinct at the time.
Jun. Opened as the first agete store, an original accessory brand
Feb. Head office and Sales HQ relocated to Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Oct. Established Starbucks Coffee Japan, Ltd. as a joint venture with Starbucks Coffee International, Inc. of the United States
Under the concept of creating a time of fulfillment with a single cup of coffee, STARBUCKS COFFEE created the new proposal of a “third place” away from both the home and workplace as well as the new lifestyle of buying coffee as “takeout” to arrive at work with a cup in hand.
Aug. “STARBUCKS COFFEE” Started
Mar. “Afternoon Tea BAKERY” Started
Aug. Head office and Sales HQ relocated to Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Sep. Listed on Japan Securities Dealers Association (current JASDAQ) OTC market
Jan. AMERICAN RAG CIE” Started
Feb. “ANAYI” Started
Oct. Established AMERICAN RAG CIE JAPAN, INC. as a joint venture with Industries Werts, Inc. of the United States
Ron Herman opened as a boutique on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles in 1976, and its first store in Japan opened in Sendagaya, Tokyo in 2009. Opened at a time when European-style boutiques were popular, Ron Herman’s philosophy was that fashion should be full of love, stimulating and fun, and liberated. It proposed genuinely relaxing styles and an experience in which visitors could enjoy not only shopping, but the ambience as well.
Aug.
“NOJESS” Started
Established And A Inc. and ESTNATION INC.
Feb. “And A” Started
Sep. “ESTNATION” Started
Mar. Established TAACOBA Inc. as a joint venture with LONGLEAGE inc.
Aug. “TAACOBA” Started
Dec. Introduced group identity as SAZABY LEAGUE
Mar. Terminated joint venture agreement and capital ties of agnès b. SUNRISE, INC. with C.M.C. S.A. of France
Jun. Established PINA Inc. as a joint venture with Coflusa S.A.U. of Spain
Sep. “CAMPER” Started
Dec. Changed trade name to SAZABY LEAGUE, Ltd. and group identity to The SAZABY LEAGUE
Aug. “allureville” Started
Sep. “rejiig” Started
Dec. Established Triple I, Ltd.
Jan.
“BELLESIORA” Started
Established 3.1 Phillip lim Japan, Ltd. as a joint venture with 3.1 Phillip lim LLC of the United States
Apr.
“Cocoonist” Started
“3.1 phillip lim” Started
SAZABY LEAGUE, Ltd. became a holding company and established ICL Inc., BLT Inc., Baggage Handlers Inc. and A&S Inc. through incorporation-type company split
SAZABY LEAGUE HR is a special subsidiary company established to employ persons with special needs under the concept of “a workplace where individuality is a strength and anyone can flourish.” The company is a pioneer in creating specialized jobs that consider each person’s needs and allows them to utilize their inherent outstanding abilities.
Apr. SAZABY LEAGUE, Ltd. established SAZABY LEAGUE HR Inc. through incorporation-type company split
Aug.
“Ron Herman” Started
BLT Inc. merged with KIHACHI & S. Inc. and changed its trade name to IVY, INC.
ARTIDA OUD was born as a brand that offers a unique shopping experience with jewelry using the D2C (Direct to Consumer) method that is mainly online, under the concept of sustainable circulation.
Mar. And A Inc. merged with Triple I, Ltd. and changed its trade name to YUGO Inc.
Mar. Voluntarily delisted from JASDAQ standard market through management buyout
Oct. SAZABY LEAGUE, Ltd. and AHA, Ltd. merged The merging company AHA, Ltd. changed its trade name to SAZABY LEAGUE, Ltd.
Mar. SAZABY LEAGUE, Ltd. merged with YUGO Inc. as a merging company
Jan. Established Sazaby League (Shanghai) Co.,Ltd. in China
Mar. “LE SUN PALM” Started
Apr.
“Soaptopia” Started
“AKOMEYA TOKYO” Started
Jul. Invested in Zebra Japan K.K. and started a joint venture with Zebra A/S
Oct. “Flying Tiger Copenhagen” Started
May. “Frank & Eileen” Started
Aug. “RACHEL ASHWELL SHABBY CHIC Couture®” Started
Sep. “Malie Organics” Started
Oct.
“la kagu” Started
Sold all STARBUCKS COFFEE Japan, Ltd. shares to Starbucks Corporation of the United States
Mar. SAZABY LEAGUE, Ltd. merged with ESTNATION INC., ICL Inc. and IVY, INC.
Aug.
“DAVID OTTO JUICE” Started
“BAREFOOT DREAMS” Started
Oct. “KIPPY’S COCO-CREAM” Started
Nov. “Shake Shack®” Started
Dec. Established HOUSE OF LOTUS Inc.
Jan. Acquired 100% shares of GREENWICH Co., Ltd. to succeed to its business
Apr. Ryota Tsunoda appointed President and Representative Director due to changes in management
Mar. “HOUSE OF LOTUS” Started
Apr.
“DEMYLEE” Started
“ebure” Started
“EQUIPMENT” Started
Nov. “CANADA GOOSE” Started
Apr. “ARTIDA OUD” Started
Jul. Established MAISON SPECIAL CO.,LTD.
Aug. Established SAZABY LEAGUE NORTH AMERICA CORP. in the United States
Mar. SAZABY LEAGUE, Ltd. merged with Baggage Handlers Inc.
Apr. “MAISON SPECIAL” Started
Oct. “I’M OK” Started
Nov. “GRID” Started
Mar. PINA Inc. changed its trade name to CAMPER JAPAN, Inc.
Aug. “BAKERS gonna BAKE” Started
Sep. “SZ Blockprints” Started
Dec. “Wolford” Started
Mar.
SAZABY LEAGUE, Ltd. merged with A&S Inc.
FAR EAST COMPANY INC. merged with HOUSE OF LOTUS Inc.
Apr. Established AKOMEYA TOKYO, Inc. as a joint venture with investment from Marunouchi Capital Inc.
Apr. Established Canada Goose Japan, Inc. as a joint venture with Canada Goose Holdings Inc.
Apr. Started CVC (Corporate Venture Capital) activities to develop new lifestyle areas and create synergies with existing businesses
May. “OUTERKNOWN” Started
Aug. Head office located to Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Sep. Acquired 100% shares of SFP DINERS CO.,LTD to succeed to its business
Sep. “MENYA INOICHI” Started
Feb. “PRANK PROJECT” Started
Sep.
“PIMENTÉ” Started
Established RON HERMAN HAWAII CORPORATION in the United States
Oct. “LAMBDA” Started
Dec. Established Madhappy Japan, Inc. as a joint venture with Madhappy, Inc.
Mar. “Madhappy” Started
Apr.
Implemented a change in the management structure
SAZABY LEAGUE, Ltd. transitions to a holding company
IVY COMPANY Inc., ESTNATION Inc., LITTLE LEAGUE Inc., and SAZABY LEAGUE IRIS Inc. were established through an absorption split.
Renewal of Group Logo and Code of Conduct
Sep. Established EGBA Co., Ltd. “COHINA” Started