ITS (International Talent Support), a fashion contest held annually in Trieste, Italy, serves as a gateway for new designers. This year, four Japanese designers were named finalists in this highly anticipated competition.
To commemorate this, the TOKYO Liberation Zone on the second floor of the Isetan Shinjuku Main Building will begin exhibiting and selling works by seven past ITS finalists from September 27th.
FASHION HEADLINE interviewed the three finalists, still thrilled about their selection, to discuss their winning works and their enthusiasm for the new works they will be presenting in this project.
--What was your background leading up to your nomination?
After studying metal engraving at Tama Art University's Department of Crafts, you worked as a freelance jewelry designer. I received an award at the Japan Jewelry Awards in 2014, and at the time I heard about an overseas contest called ITS. That year, Nakazato Noriko won the Grand Prix in the jewelry category at ITS. Seeing her work inspired me to try it myself. So I did some research and enrolled at Coconogacco, a school that has produced many ITS award winners. This led me to apply this time.
--What prompted you to apply?
Until then, I'd always worked in the world of high jewelry, so the organizers of contests were all well-known jewelry companies. Because of this, I had gotten used to judging works by their high jewelry quality. However, Nakazato Noriko's work at ITS didn't use high jewelry materials or techniques; instead, she competed on the concept of her work and won the Grand Prix at ITS. That's what made me think I could do it if I created pieces that weren't high jewelry.
--What are the inspirations for your motifs?
It's something "niche." I use motifs that are familiar to everyone, but that no one has ever used to make jewelry, or that have never been used before. For example, mizuhiki, the decorative string used to wrap gifts. I wondered what would happen if I added my own style to such a traditional and familiar object, making mizuhiki, which has traditionally been just an accessory, the main focus. This time I used quail eggs as my material. There were no other similar jewelry pieces, and I thought that this contest would favor pieces that were "lively" (laughs), so I created my pieces while exploring that. I enjoy finding motifs from my own perspective among everyday objects.
--Do you ever keep trends in mind when creating your works?
Trends change all the time, so I don't think it really matters. I think that in today's world, even if there is a general trend, each individual can assert their own preferences for different things. That's why I want to pursue "personal taste." From a business perspective, I'd like my pieces to be worn by many people, but... I think it would be ideal if I could create unique pieces for individuals, like Joel Arthur Rosenthal (Note 1), a jewelry designer I respect.
--Please tell us about the concept behind "Quail Egg," your work, which was selected as a finalist at ITS. Everyone knows the motif of a quail egg, but no one has made it into jewelry yet, and I decided on it because I thought the size was just right for jewelry. The work nominated as a finalist at ITS is a necklace with a quail egg motif, and I will be exhibiting earrings at Kaihoku. For this piece, I drilled a hole in a real quail egg, hollowed out the inside, and carefully coated it to prevent it from breaking. Before I mastered this technique, I bought up a huge amount of quail eggs at the supermarket near my house and cracked quite a few of them (laughs).
Until now, I've created works with the aim of entering them in contests or for other people, but this is the first time I've made something to "sell," so I'm excited. I'm curious to see what kind of reaction I'll get, but if I worry too much about what others think, I'll end up feeling timid, so I'm just hoping that it sells.
For the pop-up at TOKYO Kaihoku, this is the first time that Shimizu has created a piece specifically for sale.
The pop-up shop "ITS＠TOKYO Kaihoku" on the second floor of the Isetan Shinjuku Main Building (TOKYO Kaihoku) will open on September 27th. Shimizu's "Quail Egg" will be on display, and new earrings with a quail egg motif, created specifically for the pop-up shop, will be on sale. We hope that you will come and see the accessories, which combine artisanal skill and original motif selection, and try them on to find a one-of-a-kind piece that is just for you.
Note 1) A jewelry designer born in New York, who has his own maison on Place Vendôme in Paris. Most of his pieces are one-of-a-kind, and he adheres to the style of selling only to a limited number of clients that he approves of. His clients include celebrities such as Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow.
【Event Information】
Title: ITS＠TOKYO KAIZHOKU
Dates: September 27th to October 4th
Venue: Isetan Shinjuku Main Building 2F = Center Park / TOKYO KAIZHOKU
【Designer Appearance】
■September 27th: Nakazato Shuko, Shimizu Masanori, Tokizawa Chinami
■September 28th: Tokizawa Chinami
■September 29th: Katakai Hazuki
■October 1st: Shimizu Masanori, Tokizawa Chinami
■October 2nd: Murakami Ryota, Shimizu Masanori
■October 4th: Shimizu Masanori, Tokizawa Chinami
※Due to unforeseen circumstances, the store visit schedule may be canceled or changed.
Also, the designers may be absent at certain times.
To commemorate this, the TOKYO Liberation Zone on the second floor of the Isetan Shinjuku Main Building will begin exhibiting and selling works by seven past ITS finalists from September 27th.
FASHION HEADLINE interviewed the three finalists, still thrilled about their selection, to discuss their winning works and their enthusiasm for the new works they will be presenting in this project.
--What was your background leading up to your nomination?
After studying metal engraving at Tama Art University's Department of Crafts, you worked as a freelance jewelry designer. I received an award at the Japan Jewelry Awards in 2014, and at the time I heard about an overseas contest called ITS. That year, Nakazato Noriko won the Grand Prix in the jewelry category at ITS. Seeing her work inspired me to try it myself. So I did some research and enrolled at Coconogacco, a school that has produced many ITS award winners. This led me to apply this time.
--What prompted you to apply?
Until then, I'd always worked in the world of high jewelry, so the organizers of contests were all well-known jewelry companies. Because of this, I had gotten used to judging works by their high jewelry quality. However, Nakazato Noriko's work at ITS didn't use high jewelry materials or techniques; instead, she competed on the concept of her work and won the Grand Prix at ITS. That's what made me think I could do it if I created pieces that weren't high jewelry.
--What are the inspirations for your motifs?
It's something "niche." I use motifs that are familiar to everyone, but that no one has ever used to make jewelry, or that have never been used before. For example, mizuhiki, the decorative string used to wrap gifts. I wondered what would happen if I added my own style to such a traditional and familiar object, making mizuhiki, which has traditionally been just an accessory, the main focus. This time I used quail eggs as my material. There were no other similar jewelry pieces, and I thought that this contest would favor pieces that were "lively" (laughs), so I created my pieces while exploring that. I enjoy finding motifs from my own perspective among everyday objects.
--Do you ever keep trends in mind when creating your works?
Trends change all the time, so I don't think it really matters. I think that in today's world, even if there is a general trend, each individual can assert their own preferences for different things. That's why I want to pursue "personal taste." From a business perspective, I'd like my pieces to be worn by many people, but... I think it would be ideal if I could create unique pieces for individuals, like Joel Arthur Rosenthal (Note 1), a jewelry designer I respect.
--Please tell us about the concept behind "Quail Egg," your work, which was selected as a finalist at ITS. Everyone knows the motif of a quail egg, but no one has made it into jewelry yet, and I decided on it because I thought the size was just right for jewelry. The work nominated as a finalist at ITS is a necklace with a quail egg motif, and I will be exhibiting earrings at Kaihoku. For this piece, I drilled a hole in a real quail egg, hollowed out the inside, and carefully coated it to prevent it from breaking. Before I mastered this technique, I bought up a huge amount of quail eggs at the supermarket near my house and cracked quite a few of them (laughs).
Until now, I've created works with the aim of entering them in contests or for other people, but this is the first time I've made something to "sell," so I'm excited. I'm curious to see what kind of reaction I'll get, but if I worry too much about what others think, I'll end up feeling timid, so I'm just hoping that it sells.
For the pop-up at TOKYO Kaihoku, this is the first time that Shimizu has created a piece specifically for sale.
The pop-up shop "ITS＠TOKYO Kaihoku" on the second floor of the Isetan Shinjuku Main Building (TOKYO Kaihoku) will open on September 27th. Shimizu's "Quail Egg" will be on display, and new earrings with a quail egg motif, created specifically for the pop-up shop, will be on sale. We hope that you will come and see the accessories, which combine artisanal skill and original motif selection, and try them on to find a one-of-a-kind piece that is just for you.
Note 1) A jewelry designer born in New York, who has his own maison on Place Vendôme in Paris. Most of his pieces are one-of-a-kind, and he adheres to the style of selling only to a limited number of clients that he approves of. His clients include celebrities such as Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow.
【Event Information】
Title: ITS＠TOKYO KAIZHOKU
Dates: September 27th to October 4th
Venue: Isetan Shinjuku Main Building 2F = Center Park / TOKYO KAIZHOKU
【Designer Appearance】
■September 27th: Nakazato Shuko, Shimizu Masanori, Tokizawa Chinami
■September 28th: Tokizawa Chinami
■September 29th: Katakai Hazuki
■October 1st: Shimizu Masanori, Tokizawa Chinami
■October 2nd: Murakami Ryota, Shimizu Masanori
■October 4th: Shimizu Masanori, Tokizawa Chinami
※Due to unforeseen circumstances, the store visit schedule may be canceled or changed.
Also, the designers may be absent at certain times.
