—You take photographs yourself, don't you, Sukezane-san? What led you to start shooting fashion photography?

Tomoki SukezaneAround the age of 28 or 29, about 12 to 13 years ago, as part of styling work for a Brutus assignment featuring Prada clothing, I wanted the model to hold a camera. I thought a Leica would look cool, so I went to Lemonsha in Ginza to borrow one.

—Strictly as a prop.

SukezaneYes. I borrowed a Leica M6 with a large lens that could go down to f/1.0. They chided me, saying, 'You don't put a lens like that on that body' (laughs), but I thought it would be perfect for the model to hold. Then, at the studio, Roland Kenzo, who was the photographer, and I got into a lively discussion about Leicas. By the time I went to return it, I wanted one (laughs).

—You were convinced.

SukezaneThis is the M6 from that time. I bought it, but I didn't actually use it and it sat in storage at home for about five years.

—What a waste.

SukezaneThen, a new series called 'Mode, Suimasen' was about to start in Popeye. When inspiration struck for the content, I wanted to do it right away. I couldn't afford to leisurely ask a photographer, so I thought, 'I'll shoot it myself.' That's when I remembered, 'Oh, I have a camera!' and this one came back into use. I learned about cameras as I started shooting. I still love this M6. I own a few bodies and another lens.

photo by SUKEZANE Tomoki

—What's your shooting style?

SukezaneWhen I'm on set as a fashion director, the photographer measures the exposure, takes Polaroids, and then the main shot. But when I shoot myself, I don't bother with exposure or Polaroids; I just shoot. I shoot at my own pace, continuously. Nowadays, I shoot for work about two or three times a month.

—So, about the coolness of Leica.

SukezaneIt's beautiful as a machine, and it's cool. It feels good to shoot with.