[:it]Il Giappone è famoso e attraente non solo per gli occhi dell’Italia ma anche in tutto il mondo e il lavoro di Akira Isogawa ne è un esempio. Con l’apertura del Giappone al mondo, i giapponesi hanno viaggiato e si sono trasferiti in diversi paesi. Akira Isogawa è ora il residente giapponese più famoso dell’Australia.

Chi è Akira Isogawa

Nato a Kyoto, in Giappone, nel 1964, è emigrato in Australia nel 1986 ed è oggi uno dei più famosi stilisti di questa terra. Ha studiato moda all’East Sydney Technical College traendo ispirazione dal design giapponese contemporaneo. Alla fine degli anni ’90, era conosciuto a livello internazionale insieme al suo marchio di abbigliamento femminile Akira. I suoi abiti appaiono sotto la sua etichetta Akira e sono venduti in Australia, Nuova Zelanda e altri 10 paesi. Ad oggi, è uno dei pochi designer australiani che espone e vende i suoi abiti a Parigi.

La leggenda Australiana

Nel 2005, colto di sorpresa, divenne una “leggenda australiana” e fu invitato ad apparire su un francobollo commemorativo. Questo onore è solo uno dei tanti riconoscimenti ricevuti da Isogawa per i suoi successi in oltre 25 anni di carriera

Ha detto a The Japan times “A dire il vero, non avevo idea che l’Australia Post fosse così progressista e innovativo nel proprio marketing”, dice ridendo. “Pensavo che dovessi essere morto per apparire su un francobollo, figuriamoci lavorando attivamente nel proprio campo. Ho ancora molto da fare!”

La vita in Australia

L’Australia e la sua scena della moda hanno abbracciato Akira Isogawa come uno di loro. Si sente molto vicino alla sua casa adottiva, anche grazie a un cugino materno che vive nella città di Mittagong nel Nuovo Galles del Sud.
Il governo ha lanciato un programma per i visti per le vacanze e lavoro che ha dato a Isogawa la possibilità di realizzare le sue ambizioni di studiare e lavorare nella moda.

Arrivato in Australia a metà degli anni ’80 e avendo alcune difficoltà nelle prime settimane del suo soggiorno, le cose sono migliorate dopo che sono nate le rivoluzionarie feste di ballo della RAT (Recreational Arts Team). Qui Isogawa riesce a connettersi con persone che la pensano allo stesso modo e far fiorire il suo talento.
Dopo essersi iscritto a un corso di moda presso l’East Sydney Technical College, ha aperto il suo primo negozio con tutti i suoi risparmi.

“Sydney è la mia base”, afferma Isogawa. “Crescendo a Kyoto, mi sono sempre sentito come se fossi altrove. Non credo di riuscire a comportarmi come un “giapponese tipico” e seguire le regole della società. Capisco come tali regole siano necessarie e aiutano il Giappone a funzionare in modo efficiente come fa oggi. Ma io amo infrangere le regole, e questo è permesso qui in Australia. È un vero sollievo”.

Tuttavia, a tutti manca sempre la patria. Anche Akira Isogawa ammette un desiderio nostalgico per la tranquilla Kyoto della sua infanzia. Si riferisce infatti all’arte giapponese di “leggere l’aria”, dove le cose sono comprese, ma non necessariamente dette.

 

Gli anni ’90

Tuttavia, è negli anni ’90 che il lavoro di Isogawa e la sua etichetta Akira esplosero ed vennero conosciuti in tutto il mondo. Dopo il suo show di debutto durante la Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia nel 1996, questo è diventato un momento regolare per il suo lavoro, ma non solo. In effetti, queste passerelle erano solo l’inizio. Infatti, successivamente ottennte un posto alle sfilate di moda di Parigi. Qui ha catturato l’attenzione di Joan Burstein, l’acquirente di moda internazionale che ha contribuito a lanciare nomi come Alexander McQueen e John Galliano nel Regno Unito.

Un altro momento cruciale avvenne quando Naomi Campbell indossò l’abito di akira ispirato al kimono sulla copertina di Vogue Australia nel 1997.

“Quella copertina è stata una svolta nella mia carriera; non può essere minimizzato. È stato fantastico ”, ricorda Isogawa. “Sono anche molto grato ai media, a tutti quelli che mi hanno supportato. Ma allo stesso tempo, è stato così stressante. Non sono riuscito a gestire tutto e sono finito con un addetto alla reception, tra gli altri 25 dipendenti a tempo pieno”.

Dopo la follia della moda

Nel 2004, ha incontrato il CEO di Australian Wool Innovation e Isogawa è diventato l’ambasciatore di lana australiana. L’istituto era alla ricerca di un designer che potesse aggiornare l’immagine della lana, quindi nel 2005 Akira Isogawa ha creato un nuovo tipo di tessuto. Una garza di lana fine e leggera ispirata alla georgette di seta.

“Volevo che il tessuto fosse leggero. Volevo che la lana venisse reinterpretata come trans-stagionale “, afferma. “La garza di lana è piuttosto fragile, meravigliosamente morbida e 100% merino australiano. Ce l’ho ancora in magazzino. ”

Akira Isogawa oggi

Ora che la vita è un po’ più tranquilla, Isogawa è libero di esplorare nuove visioni e diversi sbocchi per il suo lavoro. Infatti, possiamo vederlo collaborare a progetti artistici, come la progettazione di costumi per la Sydney Dance Company.

Il marchio di abbigliamento femminile Akira è famoso per mescolare elementi orientali e occidentali in termini di tessuti, tecniche e design. La libertà concessa al lavoro e alla vita di Akira come immigrato australiano lo ha aiutato a sviluppare il suo stile personale.
Credendo fermamente nella moda lenta e sostenibile, i capi di Akira Isogawa trascendono il tempo, dimenticano le tendenze e devono essere indossati ancora e ancora.

Fonte: japantimes.co.jp
Foto: japantimes.co.jp[:en]Japan is famous and attractive not only to Italy’s eyes but also worldwide and Akira Isogawa’s work is an example. With the opening of Japan to the world, Japanese people have travelled and moved to different countries. Akira Isogawa is now Australia’s most famous Japanese resident.

Who is Akira Isogawa

Born in Kyoto, Japan in 1964, he emigrated to Australia in 1986 and he is now one of the most famous Fashion Designer in the land down under. He studied fashion at the East Sydney Technical College drawing inspiration from contemporary Japanese design. By the late 1990s, he was known internationally together with his womenswear label Akira. His clothes appear under his own label and are sold in Australia and New Zealand, and 10 other countries. As of now, he is one of the few Australian designers to exhibit and sell his clothing in Paris.

The Australian Legend

In 2005, caught by surprise, he became an “Australian Legend” and he was invited to appear on a commemorative postage stamp. This honor is just one of the many awards received by Isogawa for his achievements in over 25 years of career

He told The Japan times “To be honest, I had no idea that Australia Post was so progressive and innovative in their marketing,” he says, laughing. “I thought you had to be dead to appear on a postage stamp, let alone working actively in your field. I still have so much yet to do!”

Life in Australia

Australia and its fashion scene have embraced Akira Isogawa as one of their own. He feels very closed to his adoptive home, also thanks to a maternal cousin living in the New South Wales town of Mittagong.
The government launched a Working Holiday visa program that gave Isogawa the chance to realize his ambitions of studying and working in fashion.

Arrived in Australia in the mid-80s and having some difficulties in the first weeks of his stay, things got better after the city’s groundbreaking RAT (Recreational Arts Team) dance parties were born. Here Isogawa could connect with like-minded people and let his talent flourish.
After enrolling in a fashion course at the East Sydney Technical College, he opened his first shop using all his savings.

“Sydney is my base,” Isogawa says. “Growing up in Kyoto, I always felt as if I belonged elsewhere. I don’t think I can behave ‘typically’ Japanese and follow societal rules. I understand how such rules are necessary and help Japan to function as efficiently as it does. But I’m a rule breaker, and that’s permitted here in Australia. It’s a real relief.”

However, everyone always misses the homeland. Akira Isogawa too admits a nostalgic longing for the tranquil Kyoto of his childhood. He refers to the Japanese art of “reading the air,” where things are understood, but not necessarily said.

 

The 1990s

However, it’s in the 90s that Isogawa’s work and his label Akira exploded and was known all over the world. After his debut show during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia in 1996, this now became a regular outlet for his work, but not only. In fact, these runways were just the beginning and he landed a spot in Paris fashion shows. Here he caught Joan Burstein’s eye, the international fashion buyer who helped launch names such as Alexander McQueen and John Galliano in the U.K.

Another pivotal moment was Naomi Campbell wearing Akira’s kimono-inspired dress on the cover of Vogue Australia in 1997.

“That cover was a turning point in my career; it can’t be understated. It was amazing,” reminisces Isogawa. “I’m also very grateful to the media, everyone who supported me. But at the same time, it was so stressful. I couldn’t handle everything and ended up with a receptionist, among 25 other full-time staff.”

After the Fashion Madness

In 2004, he met with CEO of Australian Wool Innovation and Isogawa became the ambassador for Australian Wool. The institute was looking for a designer who could update wool’s image so in 2005, Akira Isogawa created a new kind of fabric. A featherweight, fine wool gauze inspired by silk georgette.

“I wanted (the textile) to be light. I wanted wool to be reinterpreted as transeasonal,” he says. “The wool gauze is quite fragile, beautifully soft and 100 percent Australian merino. I still have it in stock.”

Akira Isogawa Today

Now that life is a little bit calmer, Isogawa is free to explore new visions and different outlets for his work. In fact, we can see him collaborating on artistic projects, such as costume design for the Sydney Dance Company.

The Akira womenswear brand is famous for mixing elements of East and West in both terms of textiles, techniques and design. The freedom afforded to Akira’s work and life as an Australian immigrant helped him develop his own personal style.
As a firm believer in slow and sustainable fashion, Akira Isogawa’s garments transcend time, oblivious to trends, and they are to be worn again and again.

Source: japantimes.co.jp
Photos: japantimes.co.jp[:ja]Japan is famous and attractive not only to Italy’s eyes but also worldwide and Akira Isogawa’s work is an example. With the opening of Japan to the world, Japanese people have travelled and moved to different countries. Akira Isogawa is now Australia’s most famous Japanese resident.

Who is Akira Isogawa

Born in Kyoto, Japan in 1964, he emigrated to Australia in 1986 and he is now one of the most famous Fashion Designer in the land down under. He studied fashion at the East Sydney Technical College drawing inspiration from contemporary Japanese design. By the late 1990s, he was known internationally together with his womenswear label Akira. His clothes appear under his own label and are sold in Australia and New Zealand, and 10 other countries. As of now, he is one of the few Australian designers to exhibit and sell his clothing in Paris.

The Australian Legend

In 2005, caught by surprise, he became an “Australian Legend” and he was invited to appear on a commemorative postage stamp. This honor is just one of the many awards received by Isogawa for his achievements in over 25 years of career

He told The Japan times “To be honest, I had no idea that Australia Post was so progressive and innovative in their marketing,” he says, laughing. “I thought you had to be dead to appear on a postage stamp, let alone working actively in your field. I still have so much yet to do!”

Life in Australia

Australia and its fashion scene have embraced Akira Isogawa as one of their own. He feels very closed to his adoptive home, also thanks to a maternal cousin living in the New South Wales town of Mittagong.
The government launched a Working Holiday visa program that gave Isogawa the chance to realize his ambitions of studying and working in fashion.

Arrived in Australia in the mid-80s and having some difficulties in the first weeks of his stay, things got better after the city’s groundbreaking RAT (Recreational Arts Team) dance parties were born. Here Isogawa could connect with like-minded people and let his talent flourish.
After enrolling in a fashion course at the East Sydney Technical College, he opened his first shop using all his savings.

“Sydney is my base,” Isogawa says. “Growing up in Kyoto, I always felt as if I belonged elsewhere. I don’t think I can behave ‘typically’ Japanese and follow societal rules. I understand how such rules are necessary and help Japan to function as efficiently as it does. But I’m a rule breaker, and that’s permitted here in Australia. It’s a real relief.”

However, everyone always misses the homeland. Akira Isogawa too admits a nostalgic longing for the tranquil Kyoto of his childhood. He refers to the Japanese art of “reading the air,” where things are understood, but not necessarily said.

 

The 1990s

However, it’s in the 90s that Isogawa’s work and his label Akira exploded and was known all over the world. After his debut show during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia in 1996, this now became a regular outlet for his work, but not only. In fact, these runways were just the beginning and he landed a spot in Paris fashion shows. Here he caught Joan Burstein’s eye, the international fashion buyer who helped launch names such as Alexander McQueen and John Galliano in the U.K.

Another pivotal moment was Naomi Campbell wearing Akira’s kimono-inspired dress on the cover of Vogue Australia in 1997.

“That cover was a turning point in my career; it can’t be understated. It was amazing,” reminisces Isogawa. “I’m also very grateful to the media, everyone who supported me. But at the same time, it was so stressful. I couldn’t handle everything and ended up with a receptionist, among 25 other full-time staff.”

After the Fashion Madness

In 2004, he met with CEO of Australian Wool Innovation and Isogawa became the ambassador for Australian Wool. The institute was looking for a designer who could update wool’s image so in 2005, Akira Isogawa created a new kind of fabric. A featherweight, fine wool gauze inspired by silk georgette.

“I wanted (the textile) to be light. I wanted wool to be reinterpreted as transeasonal,” he says. “The wool gauze is quite fragile, beautifully soft and 100 percent Australian merino. I still have it in stock.”

Akira Isogawa Today

Now that life is a little bit calmer, Isogawa is free to explore new visions and different outlets for his work. In fact, we can see him collaborating on artistic projects, such as costume design for the Sydney Dance Company.

The Akira womenswear brand is famous for mixing elements of East and West in both terms of textiles, techniques and design. The freedom afforded to Akira’s work and life as an Australian immigrant helped him develop his own personal style.
As a firm believer in slow and sustainable fashion, Akira Isogawa’s garments transcend time, oblivious to trends, and they are to be worn again and again.

Source: japantimes.co.jp
Photos: japantimes.co.jp[:]