General Research is a brand deeply rooted in the creation of practical lifestyle garments. Founded by Setsumasa Kobayashi in 1994, the brand´s short lifespan as General Research was changed to Mountain Research in 2006 due to copyright infringement. Despite having no formal education in fashion, Kobayashi has built a vibrant career, spanning more than 25 years in both accessories and clothing. Splitting his time between Tokyo and his isolated retreat in the Nagano mountains, General Research’s design inspiration comes largely from Kobayashi’s hands-on experience facing the wilderness head-on. As a result, the functionality of the garments created for General Research are built to meet the needs of any outdoor enthusiast, while remaining just as appealing in appearance.