Fashion
August 12, 2015
Né-net Designer Talk (1)
The Creative Power of "Tokyo" Fashion (1)
Né-net Designer Dialogue (1): Kazuyuki Takashima X Yoshiyuki Shimazu
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry sponsors "Japan Fashion Week," a large-scale fashion event organized through public-private cooperation.
At this collection, held twice a year with the aim of "selling Japanese fashion to the world," Né-net received overwhelming acclaim this spring.
The collection's theme and styling, praised by foreign journalists, and its reality vividly reflect the current fashion of Tokyo. We visited stylist Yoshiyuki Shimazu, who is in charge of directing Né-net's collections and selecting music, and designer Kazuyuki Takashima, who was busy preparing for the Spring/Summer 2008 collection.
Text by Makoto Kajii (This magazine)Photos by Jamandfix
Collection Theme: "TAIKUTSU"
—First, Mr. Takashima, could you introduce the brand Né-net?
Kazuyuki TakashimaNé-net's team started in June 2005, and we held our debut exhibition at the end of July. Our first store opened in Shibuya Parco at the end of August, and we began presenting collections in the floor show for Spring/Summer 2006 at the end of October.
—Mr. Shimazu, you are in charge of the show's direction and music selection for Né-net, aren't you?
Yoshiyuki ShimazuThat's right. Mr. Takashima's ideas are fascinating.
—And the show's styling?
TakashimaI handle the styling.
—The theme "TAIKUTSU" for the Autumn/Winter 2007-08 collection, presented in March, became quite a topic of conversation.
ShimazuThe raw ideas originate from Mr. Takashima.
—Why "TAIKUTSU"?
TakashimaEveryone commutes to work or school every day, and both office workers and students live their lives in a repetitive cycle. It's boring, but I started thinking, isn't it actually a kind of happiness?
—And that's why the sub-theme of "TAIKUTSU" is "Are yawns of boredom a sign of happiness?"
TakashimaMy job is to express that through clothing. I explain my abstract ideas to Mr. Shimazu, he understands them, and then we bring them to life as a show.
ShimazuIn our first meeting, the design sketches are still just in Mr. Takashima's head.
—But "TAIKUTSU" as a collection theme sounds abstract and difficult.
TakashimaTo express that concretely and technically, the support of a director and professional interpretation are essential. Mr. Shimazu can "translate" my complex and imaginative world.
ShimazuWe're both from Kumamoto Prefecture, after all (laughs).
—So, objectivity is created.
TakashimaSince Né-net's shows aren't ordinary, simple runway presentations, the key is whether we can create the right mood. We have a solid communication established for interpreting that mood.
ShimazuFirst, over dinner, I listen to Mr. Takashima explain the nuances of the theme from various angles. Then, we look at the venue together, and through the direction and choice of music, I incorporate my own interpretation of "TAIKUTSU." This often involves a good kind of subversion.
—So, Mr. Shimazu is a good interpreter of Mr. Takashima's world.
Profile: Né-net Designer
Kazuyuki Takashima
Born in Kumamoto Prefecture in 1973.
Graduated from Bunka Fashion College in 1994.
Joined ISSEY MIYAKE INC. in 1996.
Launched the new brand Né-net from A-net Inc. in 2005.
Participated in "Tokyo Fashion Week" for the Spring/Summer 2006 collection in the same year.
Received the 24th Mainichi Fashion Grand Prix Newcomer Award and Shiseido Encouragement Prize in 2006.
Né-net HP http://www.a-net.com/
Né-net Spring/Summer 2008 Collection Confirmed!
Friday, August 31, 2007, 4:30 PM at Jiji Press Hall, Tokyo
Through the kind cooperation of Né-net designer Kazuyuki Takashima, we are offering a special invitation for 10 OPENERS readers.
(※General admission is not permitted on the day. This is a ticket giveaway only.)
※Applications are now closed. Thank you for your many entries.