A Compact, Lightweight Essential for Modern Life, Now in a Vivienne Westwood Model

Yoshiyuki Shimazu speaks of his long history with Vivienne Westwood's creations and their significant influence on his own fashion perspective. "What's wonderful about Vivienne as a creator is not just her craftsmanship, but her constant message. Vivienne herself, a former teacher and an intelligent fashion designer, always imbues her work with a 'philosophy.' This has ranged from periods of rebellion against society to a pursuit of fantasy and elegance, art, fun, pacifism, humanitarianism, and now, environmental activism. Her collections are always intrinsically linked to the times. This creator's stance is the foundation of her long-standing high regard," he explains.


The "SH-01E Vivienne Westwood," based on a Sharp smartphone released by docomo, is packed with Vivienne Westwood's design motifs. The camouflage pattern is accented with a flowing, repeating iteration of the brand's iconic orb. The wallpapers feature a diverse lineup of 16 designs, including the orb, the "Too Fast to Live, Too Young to Die" logo, and the familiar tartan check.

Vivienne Westwood's "Elegance as Aggression"

"The camouflage pattern is one of the motifs from this season's men's accessory collection, and it's popular not only for men but also as a fashion item for women, so this can be stylishly incorporated by anyone," says Shimazu. "Vivienne's camouflage might also imply 'camouflaging oneself.'" He adds, "The smartphone itself is compact and lightweight, supports docomo's LTE 'Xi' (Crossy), and is an indispensable item in today's world. It's an unparalleled joy for fans to always have their favorite brand's design in their hands."


"The reason creators like Vivienne can sustain their work for so long is their strong emotional drive to challenge something significant. While she clearly loves creating and deconstructing clothes, Vivienne's garments carry a manifesto. Her seasonal collections, her advocacy for rainforest protection, her support for the Prince of Wales's wool campaign – she approaches all of them with the same intensity. It's essentially an 'elegance as aggression' against the world's propaganda."

What is the Source of European Designers' Creations?

"From the 80s to the 90s, the fashion world saw a surge of talented graduates from institutions like London's Central Saint Martins and Belgium's Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, who presented unique collections. Today, however, particularly in London and globally, easily digestible creations backed by mass production are favored. This is largely due to the internet and the widespread adoption of smartphones, which have dramatically accelerated the dissemination of creativity. The speed at which creativity is consumed has become abnormally fast. In the past, people aspired to fashion and music exclusive to London, but that barrier has broken down. With the walls gone, the meaning of creation has changed."


While the meaning of creation has shifted, Shimazu notes the remarkable ability of European designers to "transform two dimensions into three." "European designers and creators are said to frequent museums when they're stuck for themes. For instance, if asked today, 'What is British?' you'll see characteristics not only in the designs and details drawn by the designers but also in their choice of materials and the nuances of their colors. Especially in how they use color. They have the power to translate two-dimensional colors into three dimensions, drawing inspiration from paintings. Vivienne, too, has presented collections influenced by medieval art."

Design Patterns Favored by the Japanese

Having observed fashion trends for a long time, Shimazu states, "Vivienne excels at incorporating tartan checks, a symbol of the brand, into her designs, and her expression of coquettishness, which the Japanese favor, is also superb. That's likely why she's one of the designers beloved in Japan."


This limited-edition smartphone is also packed with Vivienne Westwood's signature design elements, finished with a touch of her unique essence.

"As creators working with the same intensity as Vivienne are becoming fewer, I hope she continues to be active for a long time, and I'd love to wear her designs myself," he says, expressing his anticipation for Vivienne's future endeavors.


Yoshiyuki SHIMAZU
He has styled numerous celebrities, primarily for commercials, magazines, and advertisements. He also handles the composition and music selection for fashion shows and creative direction for magazines.


docomo Smartphone
"SH-01E Vivienne Westwood"
Limited Release of 30,000 Units
Luxurious Individual Packaging
*Sales will end once the limited quantity is depleted.

NTT docomo
http://www.nttdocomo.co.jp/