The only Japanese finalist of the competition is Tatsuya
Tsukahara whose collection stands out for its'unusual shapes and textures. The
24-year old’s collection ‘Braiding’ takes on traditional Japanese weaving
techniques to a new level. Read what the designer has to say about it.
Designer Name : Tatsuya Tsukahara (Japan)
Age: 24
Collection Name: Braiding
Age: 24
Collection Name: Braiding
- What made you participate in the Audi Star Creation? How did you
hear about it?
I first heard about the competition last year
when I took part in the Tokyo New Designer Fashion Grand Prix, where I won the
Workmanship prize. However, I only decided to join the competition when I heard
about it again from my friend, Hiroyuki Watanabe, who was the Star Creation
2011 Audi Young Designer Award winner. It was a big challenge as this was only
five days before the submission deadline, but I managed to draw on my five
years of fashion education and sheer determination to finish conceptualising
and designing my competition collection on time.
- What was the inspiration behind your collection?
Japanese culture is something I hold close to
my heart. For my collection, Braiding,
I was inspired by the weaving techniques I saw in the production of traditional
Japanese bamboo baskets. Pairing the braiding and weaving patterns of the
baskets and feminine silhouettes of womenswear from the 1950s, I tried to
illustrate the concept of being caged in a basket in my collection.
- What new ideas/approach do you think you bring to the fashion scene
in the region?
I have to say it would be my use of new
crafts and techniques and the intricate details I have placed in my patterns.
My ability to express characteristics of Asian culture through my braiding and
sewing techniques is also something I feel is unique to me.
- Any Asian designers/labels that you like and look up to?
There are
three Japanese designers that I like. They are Akira Minagawa from Mina
Perhonen, Satoshi Kusaka from Vitamin Powers Factory and Takayuki Susuki. Their
creativity and innovation are something that I look up to as an emerging
designer.
- What would you like to do if you win and who would be your target
audience (people in the region, age group, style, etc...)?
If I win, I want to start working on my own
label immediately.
I envision women between the ages of 25 and
40 wearing my collection. These women live modern lives in the city, and are
active in the workplace, but still hold tradition as something to live by.
