The Driving Force Behind Continuous Fashion Innovation

—Even as the label name changed, what is the driving force that allows you to continue nurturing your aesthetic and expressing it through the medium of fashion?

The fire of passion for fashion has never gone out. The driving force is always a quest for something better, a sense of curiosity. While listening to the market, I'm constantly thinking about how I can innovate my expression to achieve something superior. In that sense, I must always be strict with myself.

—What does "listening to the market" entail specifically?

In the fickle world of fashion, what is beloved by people right now? Actively seeking to understand this is crucial, not only for design but also for business. I always pay attention to the lifestyles of young people through the internet and social media, and it has become a habit to check the trends to see what the world is seeking and where it is heading. The desire to be loved and shared by more people, crossing various boundaries, is a very contemporary motivation, isn't it?

—While "newness" is certainly an important element in fashion, which is constantly updating, I believe there's also a growing trend today where people seek something beyond just "newness"—perhaps a message or a story. How do you perceive the importance of newness yourself?

Indeed, I don't believe that "new equals good." I even think it might be impossible to create true novelty anymore. In such times, the key to presenting "newness" through fashion lies in reinterpreting and updating existing concepts and ideas for today. That perspective is very important.

—From your debut to the present, the aesthetic you've consistently proposed is, in some ways, very Italian, yet it also mysteriously encompasses a delicate sensibility that resonates with the Japanese aesthetic. I believe this remains a very contemporary beauty today; have you consciously considered this?

I'm delighted that you discover commonalities between Japan and Italy through my collections. This aesthetic emerges naturally from within me, and I consider it my signature. Even as trends emphasize overt sexiness, I have consistently expressed a subtle sensuality. Subtle lines, nuanced colors, minute details... At times, my expressions are completely unrelated to trends. My theme is believing in my own style and exploring how to update it within that framework.

A Canvas for Projected Desires

—In the Spring/Summer 2015 men's collection, you depict a light and refined street style. What was the concept behind it?

The starting point was the idea of fusing two extremes: American surfers of the 1950s and Italian elegance of the '50s. Through the surfer inspiration, I expressed a street feel and a relaxed atmosphere, layering it with materials and colors reminiscent of Italian holidays.

—It's urban yet possesses an effortless, casual vibe. I feel it's a collection that not only prioritizes comfort but also uses design itself to relax the wearer. Does this resonate with your own lifestyle?

I wish my lifestyle were like that! Yes, the collection is my dream world (laughs). But I believe such fantasy is very important in fashion. It's not just about self-expression; it's also a canvas for projecting desires, for imagining how things could be.

—The same thinking seems to be applied to the shop's space as in the collection's creation. Inorganic materials with fine lines coexist in exquisite balance with natural materials that evoke history, all within a very comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. What are the essential elements when creating a shop?

First and foremost, I believe a sense of comfort, as if being welcomed into a friend's home, is crucial. I don't particularly like spaces that create tension. Here, contemporary materials are mixed with those symbolizing Italian classics, but I focused on how to create an impactful space while minimizing the elements.

—Both your collections and this space evoke a sense of "the passage of time" and "process." It's an aesthetic that doesn't define time or era.

I strongly believe in and cherish the core DNA of my creations. In other words, one could say I remain within a specific aesthetic, but on the other hand, I constantly challenge myself daily on how to innovate it. Stasis and progression are the two essential wheels of creation that shape my identity.

—Finally, if fashion has a power it grants you, what is it?

It's "freedom" as an artist. It's very simple, but it's important.

N°21
4-3-17 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Tel. 03-3746-0021
Opening Hours | 11:00–20:00
http://www.numeroventuno.com/


Alessandro Dell’ Acqua
Born in Naples in 1962. In 1982, he earned a degree in graphic design from the Accademia di Belle Arti. At the young age of 23, he signed a design contract with the Italian fashion brand Genny. After working as a designer for labels such as Iceberg and Les Copains, he established his own brand bearing his name in 1996. In 2002, he received the Oscar della Moda award for emerging designers from the Italian Fashion Council. In 2010, he launched his new signature brand, "N°21 (Numero Ventuno)."