Nogizaka46's Marika Ito is a fashion lover. She sneaks into the studios of two designers she respects: Mikio Sakabe, designer of MIKIO SAKABE, and Xue Zhengfan, designer of Jenny Fax.

They discuss fashion, including topics like "What is the appeal of fashion?" and "What do idols and fashion have in common?"



There's a reason why Ito visited these two designers' studios. From March 2nd to 8th, Nogizaka46 and Isetan Girl are collaborating to hold an event themed around girls' lessons called "Okeiko Girl." As part of this, Ito will collaborate with MIKIO SAKABE and Jenny Fax on the theme of ballet, which she studied from a young age before joining Nogizaka46. ■I felt it was fate with my collaborators! (Ito)

Ito: Personally, I'm surprised that I was able to collaborate with Sakabe and Jen Fan. My job is being an idol with Nogizaka46, but I'm really happy to be able to collaborate on something new that idols don't often do. I felt it was fate that my collaborators were Sakabe and Jen Fan!

Sakabe: When I heard that they came to the "Zetsumei Exhibition" held at Parco Museum in the fall of 2013 and the subsequent "Zetsu Zetsumei Exhibition," I immediately felt a sense of closeness to them.

Ito: I think it was around that time? I think Nogizaka46 was also taking a more aggressive approach in terms of fashion.

Sakabe: But Nogizaka46 has been an interesting presence, with works involving bodysong., NORIKONAKAZATO's Shuko Nakazato, and writtenafterwards' Yoshikazu Yamagata. Compared to AKB48, I thought Nogizaka46 was probably positioned as more traditional. However, there were some unexpected twists in their costumes and music videos, and I was left with the impression that each member had a variety of directions and possibilities. It's precisely because these elements don't fall into place that Nogizaka46 was so intriguing.

Ito: What I was happy about this collaboration with Isetan was that, rather than working with a designer on costumes, we were able to collaborate with a designer on the clothes we would sell. I think this type of collaboration was extremely beneficial for Nogizaka46.

■I think it was a miracle that I got into Nogizaka46 (Ito)

Sakabe: Why did you end up joining Nogizaka46 in the first place?

Ito: To be honest, I wasn't aiming to be an idol. Now, I'm having a lot of fun with my idol work. Actually, I think there weren't many girls in Nogizaka46 who wanted to be idols.

Sakabe: What do you mean? I have no idea.

Ito: I think the reason everyone discovered Nogizaka46 is because they were attracted to the idea of creating an official rival to AKB48. Even now, I think it was a miracle that I got into the audition (laughs). When I auditioned for the first generation, I thought, "It's a new team, and it looks like fun," and joined Nogizaka46. Personally, I've always liked things that are different.

Sakabe: Nogizaka46 is something different from the mainstream. Ito: I don't think Nogizaka46's concept was decided from the beginning. That's why I think Nogizaka46 is able to try all kinds of different things. For example, "We have these members, so we have a pure image." I think that the accumulation of these experiences gradually formed Nogizaka46's style.

■Idols are a bit like fashion (Sakabe)

Sakabe: Idols are a bit like fashion. In fashion, you look at the clothes, but with idols, you look at the person themselves. Of course, the person's appeal lies in their personality, but the image of an idol also changes with the times. So there's no clear definition of what an idol is; it evolves and crumbles with the times. I think that's why Japan's idol culture today exists. It's not the idols that everyone imagines emerging, but rather the feeling that new people are being born into the world, which I think is very similar to fashion.

--It's true that rather than traditional idols, we're seeing a steady stream of idols that we've never seen before. Sakabe: Even in a fashion show, if the clothes alone are good, it lacks excitement. It gets even more exciting when there are models who people have never seen before. After all, people are most excited when they see other people. That's why, in fashion, too, I believe we must show "the image of people living in the next generation" through our creations. So, in the sense of "thinking about what they are like as people," fashion and idols are linked. Ito: Nogizaka46 is made up of staff who love creative things, so their songs aren't typically idol-like, and they're very particular about how they shoot their music videos. As a result, I think that's what Nogizaka46 has as its weapon. I see the "fashion" category as one of the collaborations between Nogizaka46 and these creators. ■I discovered fashion because I was searching for my own weapon (Ito)

Ito: I've actually been to see the "Zetsumei Exhibition," which Sakabe and Yamagata directed, many times. The first time I saw it was in my third year of high school. I'd been accepted into Nogizaka46 at the time, and I was really interested in fashion and hobbies, looking for my own strengths. So I would research exhibitions myself and actively visit them. The title and visuals caught my eye, so I went to see "Zetsumei Exhibition" with a friend at Parco in Shibuya. Sakabe: I often found "Zetsumei Exhibition." Ito: At the time, I was really struggling with what I should do in the group. It was during that time that I came across "Zetsumei Exhibition," so I still consider myself lucky to have found it. The "Zetsumei Exhibition" featured live human figures, and honestly, I couldn't understand the meaning of it. Even if someone asked me to explain it, I couldn't... But the exhibition matched my desire to find something like that, and I was overjoyed. I thought, "I've found the perfect thing!"



--I understand how it feels to be so worried about what you should show about yourself in relation to what is expected of you and what is expected of you as an idol. The expectations of those around you are greater than for an average girl, and you have to stand in front of so many eyes.

Ito: That's why I was so glad to have seen the "Zetsumei Exhibition" at a time when I was searching for something new. Around that time, the content of my blog, which is an indispensable platform for sharing the things I like, including fashion, has become more in-depth. That's why I want to express my gratitude for having come across the "Zetsumei Exhibition."

The second part continues with "A Girl's Memories and Fashion" by Nogizaka46's biggest fashion lover, Marika Ito, along with Mikio Sakabe and Zhenfan.