Fashion
February 23, 2015
MARGARET HOWELL: Stylist Aya Kato on Margaret Howell
MARGARET HOWELL
A Natural Palette Evoking Cleanliness in Men
Stylist Aya Kato on Margaret Howell
ThisMargaret HowellStylist Aya Kato, who curated the styling for the Margaret Howell men's collection “Early Summer,” makes a return appearance after the highly successful “Gift Feature” distributed in Margaret Howell stores late last year. We asked her about the collection after completing the Early Summer photoshoot.
Photographs by SATO AsaStyling by KATO Aya
Simple Yet Thoughtful Clothing Expressing the Comfort of Early Summer
Stylist Aya Kato, who says, “I started my career in London, not in Tokyo.” In London, she apprenticed under Nicola Formichetti, who is now the Fashion Director of VOGUE HOMMES JAPAN.
“I gained experience in various settings as an assistant for about two years. It was around the time when ‘Dazed & Confused’ and ‘Another Magazine’ were launching, so it was an exciting time,” she recalls.
After finishing the photoshoot for this “Early Summer Feature,” Kato commented, “While each item appears simple at first glance, I felt the attention to detail in the prints, color combinations, and quality of the materials. At the same time, it’s a collection that evokes the ‘comfort’ of the pleasant early summer season. I believe the key lies in the meticulously considered tailoring that ensures Margaret Howell’s signature wearability, along with the natural color palette.”
Regarding the colors specifically, she noted, “The shades of grey are beautiful, different from those used in autumn and winter. Although they are basic colors, they don’t create too harsh a contrast even when paired with vibrant accent colors like yellow or blue. I think that’s what makes it a Margaret Howell grey. Overall, the collection features colors that evoke a sense of clean-cut masculinity.”
Of course, Margaret Howell as a designer also captivates her. “Her unwavering integrity is her charm. It’s a rare brand where her worldview is evident not only in each season’s collection but also in the atmosphere of the stores. Perhaps we feel the same things, even if we express them differently.” We hope you experience the natural and modern world of Margaret Howell, as depicted by the always-authentic Aya Kato.

Aya KATO
Stylist. Moved to the UK in 2000. In London, she apprenticed under fashion editor Nicola Formichetti. After returning to Japan in 2003, she worked at the editorial department of Vogue Nippon, serving as Junior Fashion Editor. In 2007, she became a freelance stylist and established the studio “iris.”
She styles for fashion magazines, catalogs, and advertisements, including for OPENERS.
Aya Kato's OPENERS BLOG is now updated!
AGlobal
Tel. 03-5467-7874
http://www.margarethowell.jp