SIX period.: A fashion brand born from the convergence of the next generation.

SIX period.

The "Harvard of Fashion"
A Fashion Brand Launched by Bunka Fashion College Students

SIX period., a fashion brand launched by students of Bunka Fashion College, is currently available on a crowdfunding site. With "Neo Yankee" as its keyword, a sophisticated collection of items is offered. The brand plans to launch pop-up stores in the future.

Text by WASEDA Kosaku (OPENERS)

The Keyword: "Neo Yankee"

Bunka Fashion College, also known as the "Harvard of Fashion," is a prestigious fashion school that has produced a wide range of world-renowned designers, models, and artists, including KENZO and Yohji Yamamoto.

Students from this esteemed institution have launched SIX period., a fashion brand imbued with an outlaw spirit.

Led by Azuna Sakuragi, a current student, the brand brings together young talents poised to shape the future. Under the banner of "Neo Yankee," they draw inspiration from the unconstrained power of youth to create a lineup of unique items.

The items are said to pursue excellence in fabric, design, and functionality. The coats, in particular, feature a unique luster and elegant drape, crafted from highly durable fabric. A significant portion of the collection is also proudly made in Japan.

The style, a blend ofモード and street aesthetics, creates silhouettes that are both sophisticated and uniquely distinctive.

The lookbook production involved model Noan Ishimaru and Yuto Yamazaki, photographer Juri Nagai, and hair stylist Mizuki Ono from the hair salon TONI&GUY, among others. A multitude of passionate young individuals contributed to the project.

Pre-orders are available on the crowdfunding site "CAMPFIRE" until February 13, 2019 (Wednesday). Sales will commence on the official online store starting March 1 (Friday). Pop-up stores are planned for Tokyo in April and Osaka in June. The brand aims to participate in Tokyo Collection, Amazon Fashion Week, and Paris Collection in the future.

The activities of these energetic young creators are certainly worth watching.

Noan Ishimaru (Model)
Born June 22, 2002, in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture
Career:
2012 (Age 10): Began surfing
2017 (December): Placed 3rd in the "11th ALL JAPAN SURFING GRAND CHAMPION GAMES 2017"
2018 (August): Appeared on TBS TV's "Honoo no Taiikukai TV"
Appeared in the September issue of "SURFIN'LIFE"
Appeared in the special issue of "GQ JAPAN," "15th Anniversary Special Edition Millennials Catalogue"
Appeared in the February issue of "NYLON JAPAN"
Appeared on the "SIX period." website
Thoughts on the next generation:
I don't particularly like doing the same things as others, so I want to pursue surfing and modeling as things only I can do. Of course, if the opportunity arises, I'd also like to become a professional surfer. I want to freely challenge various things in my own way.
[Instagram]https://www.instagram.com/noan_ishimaru/

Yuto Yamazaki (Model)
Born May 31, 1999, in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture
Career
2017: While attending Minato Sogo High School
Organized a fashion show with students from the same high school.
2018: Enrolled in the Department of Fashion Technology, Part II, at Bunka Fashion College
Same year: Active as a model in the Part II fashion show.
Model for Bunka Fashion College Part II Fashion Show "Sayonara Heisei"
2018: Active as a model for SIX period.
Thoughts on the next generation:
We live in an era where anything can be found with a search. It's certainly convenient, and I think our generation can't live without smartphones. Nowadays, you can do almost anything with just information from the internet. However, I don't believe things created solely from such superficial information hold any real value. I live by valuing 'thinking.' This means not just thinking with your head, but engaging your entire body and all your senses. Especially with clothing, since it's something people wear, I want to create things that are born from such thoughtful processes, and I want to work with people who share that mindset.
[Instagram]https://www.instagram.com/ytymzk00/

Juri Nagai (Photographer)
Born October 22, 1996, in Kagoshima Prefecture
Career
2015: Graduated from the Art Department of Kagoshima Prefectural Soyo High School
2015: Enrolled in the Department of Visual Design, Faculty of Design, Nagaoka Institute of Design
Exhibitions: 2015 Group Exhibition "Maru Exhibition" (Six University Joint Photography Exhibition) (Awarded Grand Prize for Tamabi Final Presentation "Kage Asobi") 2016 Group Exhibition "Kimi to, Watashi no Machi Exhibition" (Held in three regions: Tokyo, Tokai, Kansai) 2016 Solo Exhibition "Hanatsumugi Exhibition" Nagaoka Base (Nagaoka) 2016 Group Exhibition "Maru Exhibition" (Six University Joint Photography Exhibition) (Exhibited at Sony Imaging Gallery Ginza in 2017) 2017 Solo Exhibition "Maru to Akai Exhibition" HACHITEN (Nagaoka) 2017 Group Exhibition "Tsunagari" Design Festa Gallery (Harajuku) 2017 Group Exhibition "Maru Exhibition" (Six University Joint Photography Exhibition) 2018 Group Exhibition "FA_N ZINE FUKUOKA EXHIBITION" FUK301 (Fukuoka) 2018 Group Exhibition "Today's ART" Fukuoka Asian Art Museum (Fukuoka) Projects: 2015 Message of Peace NAGAOKA × HONOLULU (Movie filming) 2016 Festival of Factories ~Kanaderu Kojo~ (Movie filming) 2017 Commercial "Machinaka Obake Yashiki ~Sally no Kaitai Shinsho~" (Nagaoka City) (Planning, Direction, Still Photography, Movie Filming, Editing, Setup) 2018 Amazon Fashion Week TOKYO (Still Photography) 2018 "Monthly Beauty Management Plan" Magazine "Salons That Foster Growth by Allowing Small Failures" (Still Photography) 2018 Film "Kimi ga Kimi de Kimi da" Directed by Daigo Matsui (Released July 7 at Shinjuku Wald 9 and other theaters nationwide on Tanabata) (Audio editing assistance) 2018 High School Photography Club (Work featured in Nagaoka Institute of Design brochure) 2018 "n-assh" Magazine (Cover photography for the year) (Still Photography)
2018 SIX period. (Still photography, Movie filming)
Thoughts on the next generation:
Regarding photography, my personal approach is to capture fleeting moments as if scooping them up one by one. I always strive to communicate with my subjects, whether they are people or objects, never forgetting to imbue my work with love.
[Instagram]https://www.instagram.com/juri.nagai/

Taiki Saito (Photographer)
Born December 29, 1998, in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture
Career
2014: Enrolled in Tohoku Gakuin High School 2015: Transferred to Asuka Future High School
Same year: Joined a hair salon as an assistant
2018: Enrolled in the Department of Fashion Marketing, Part II, at Bunka Fashion College
Same year: Active in press for the Part II fashion show.
Photography for Bunka Fashion College Part II Fashion Show "Sayonara, Heisei"
2018: Active as a photographer for SIX period.

Thoughts on the next generation:
I'm not very good with words, so I couldn't effectively express my feelings or the world I see. That's why I started using a camera, an instrument, to express myself about two years ago, dusting off a camera that had been stored away in my closet. I often use film cameras. With film, unlike digital, you can't check the photos immediately. That's precisely why I focus on imprinting good memories onto the film, so they emerge like recollections resurfacing from my mind.
I also believe it's important to maintain a comfortable distance and engage in conversation with the models so they feel at ease and natural. I carry the intentions of the producers with me through the lens of my camera, capturing memories.
[Instagram]https://www.instagram.com/taiki.3110/

Mizuki Ono (Hair & Makeup Artist)
Born July 21, 1996, in Hiroshima Prefecture
Career
2015: Graduated from Hiroshima Prefectural Fukuyama Myojodai High School
2017: Graduated from Ueno Gakuen Hiroshima Beauty Professional School, Department of Cosmetology
2017: Joined TONI&GUY JAPAN Inc.
As an assistant, actively participated in numerous magazine shoots and shows. Concurrently, produced many creative works privately, handling both hair and makeup.
2018: Active as a hair and makeup artist for SIX period.
Thoughts on the next generation:
I want to broaden my horizons by challenging myself with many things I'm interested in or haven't experienced before. I aim to become an artist recognized globally by further refining my intuition, sense, and expressiveness. I want to cherish the connections I make, remain grateful for my current environment, and become an artist who can give back to those dear to me.
[Instagram]https://www.instagram.com/mzk_ts/

Azuna Sakuragi (Designer)
Born November 11, 1997, in Minamiaizu Town, Fukushima Prefecture
Career
2016: Graduated from Fukushima Prefectural Tajima High School
2016: Enrolled in Tokyo Beauty School
2018: Graduated from Tokyo Beauty School
2018: Enrolled in Bunka Fashion College (currently enrolled)
(2011-2013): Belonged to the theater group "Ibuki," based in Minamiaizu Town, Fukushima Prefecture.
A theater group primarily composed of elementary and high school students, performing modern adaptations of historical dramas set in the Edo and Bakumatsu periods. Attracted over 10,000 audience members. Participated in performances and events nationwide, promoting vitality in Fukushima Prefecture. Played the role of "Tokugawa Yoshimune" in performances.
(2013-2016): Belonged to "Gojin," a Yosakoi team in Shimogō Town, Minamiaizu District, Fukushima Prefecture, located in the Aizu region.
Aiming to preserve the spirit of the local Aizu "Byakkotai" as a traditional performing art, the team promoted vitality nationwide and won awards at various Yosakoi competitions. Responsible for team development, formation, planning, and management.
(2015): KAKEHASHI Project by the Japan Foundation
A project to disseminate Japan's strengths and attractions, such as latent interest in Japan, Japanese values, and "Cool Japan," through overseas channels.
Visited various parts of the United States, experiencing exchange programs, homestays, and study abroad. Performed and demonstrated as the Yosakoi representative of Japan in various locations overseas.
2018: Established One For All, All in Business LLC. 2019: Launched the fashion brand "SIX period."

Thoughts on the next generation:
Young people today are afraid to take that first step, caught up in immediate fears. You must act first. Each person possesses such wonderful qualities, yet they fail to utilize them, merely discussing ideals. I believe that true future aspirations lie beyond the excitement of the moment.
[Instagram]https://www.instagram.com/azuna_vivid/