■ Mayotae Dresses: A Story of Marriage

-- Mayotae, a fabric that has been deeply intertwined with Japanese life since ancient times. You have created three dresses using Mayotae, a material that has been brought back to life in the present day. What did you think of the material Mayotae?

JUM NAKAO: When I was commissioned to create this piece, I asked about the connection between Japanese people and Mayotae. I felt that Mayotae is a cultural treasure, a precious fabric. Even with modern technology, it cannot be mass-produced; it is a precious fabric that requires time and effort to create. I also felt that Mayotae itself was like a work of art.

-- The design, which connects circular cuts of Mayotae, and the plastic frame that frames the Mayotae, give this dress an interesting futuristic feel.

JUM NAKAO: This year marks the 120th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Brazil. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two countries and people have bonded and interacted with each other, deepening the relationship between them over the past 120 years. With this in mind, I created this piece with the theme of "marriage," a celebration of this bond. Like the frames used to display wedding photos, I framed Asoyo with different materials. By creating many of these pieces and connecting them together, they become a single dress. The framed Asoyo piece, when connected, transforms into a dress that adorns a woman. --Individuals come together to create new value, which is also one way of looking at marriage. Were the materials and techniques used special? JUM NAKAO: Initially, I considered using 3D printing technology, but after prototyping, it didn't work out, so I used a different, new material. I used a special plastic, also used in car interiors, to create a hard, lustrous texture. The shining white frame makes Asoyo look even more beautiful. As for the Isetan Shinjuku store, where the dresses were exhibited, I felt it was a place to showcase not only fashion trends, but also the future of fashion. I wanted to challenge myself to find a way to connect the ancient Asoyo to the future, connecting ancient materials with new materials, and the present with future fashion. It embodies the theme of marriage, connecting the past with the present and the future. --The dresses on display also had prices. Did you have in mind situations in which you would actually wear them? JUM NAKAO: Of course, they are dresses, so they can be worn. However, these are three pieces that are one of a kind in the world. I would be happy if you thought of them as creations to promote Asoyo. I created these creations to convey the history and product value of Asoyo to people not only in Japan but around the world. --Finally, do you think that new technologies such as 3D printing will significantly change your fashion and art? JUM NAKAO: The fashion process, the process of turning ideas into reality, has not changed in 100 years. No matter how much technology evolves, it is simply a tool that helps me give shape to my message. Therefore, the essential part of my creations will not change. JUM NAKAO is a third-generation Brazilian designer and artist. He is active in a wide range of fields, including fashion brands, costume design, art, furniture, architecture, and animation. In 2004, he launched the NIKE x JUM NAKAO line. His fashion show, "A Costura do Invisivel" (2004), attracted attention not only from the fashion world but also from the art world. In 2012, he directed the closing ceremony of the London Olympics, and in 2013, he launched a furniture line.