The combination of Akira Naka, creative director of AKIRA NAKA, and the sophisticated techniques of Yasuko Hayakawa, technical knitwear designer at Atelier Manoa, has ushered AKIRA NAKA's knitwear into a new phase. While it's easy to describe, presenting it as clothing is incredibly difficult: creating one-of-a-kind pieces that "enhance femininity simply by wearing them." This fall/winter, AKIRA NAKA will be selling a one-of-a-kind knitwear piece. It's a dress constructed from knit fabric, something Naka says she previously avoided due to the immense time and patience it requires. Fabrics with different knit widths and patterns are linked together with the literal skill of a master craftsman, creating a truly impressive piece that reveals the intricate workmanship at a glance. Even those uninterested in fashion will likely sigh in amazement and wonder, "How is that even done?" Fashion lovers will be left speechless with a "Wow!"

"If the amount of fabric is too much, the knit will sag under its weight. But it's precisely because it's low gauge that we can achieve such an overwhelming impact. I didn't want to compromise on that," Naka recalls.

First, based on the design drawings Naka created, Hayakawa would create prototypes of the components that would make up the knit dress.




Hayakawa created several parts to match Naka's image, and then figured out how to join them together... The two of them worked out the physical weight and silhouette balance, and a "blueprint" was created on graph paper with the knitting method and many detailed instructions.



"Hayakawa's team has technicians and professionals for each knitting method. So they can do things like, 'Okay, we'll do ribbing here. After the ribbing, the baton will be passed on to the crocheter, and then the knitter will take over halfway through.' Hayakawa covers all of that... It's an incredible skill. Usually people would say it's unproductive and that we should give up, but Hayakawa never says it's impossible from the start."

And that's how the dress was born. Each piece is packed with the thoughts of many different people.



"I'm not bragging or anything, but I think it will definitely change the way people feel about fashion and their passion for it when they come across this piece. If you come across it, fall in love with it, buy it, and then wear it out on the street, you'll see a different scene than usual. I think you'll be moved by its power when you pick it up."

This is the undeniable result of the craftsmanship of the artisans. Naka continues, saying that the spirit that lies within Japanese manufacturing must not be lost.

"In Japan, there are artisans like Hayakawa who knit, undo, undo and knit again, carefully crafting each piece. There's a lot to be proud of. So I think it would be even more interesting if more young people who are attracted to this kind of intricate handiwork started to focus on it."

Hayakawa also fears that "interest in hand knitting is gradually fading in society." This is why Naka is considering teaming up with Hayakawa to nurture the younger generation.

"I've received so much from Mr. Hayakawa that I haven't yet been able to repay him. As our brand grows, I want to create a system to pass on the culture of hand knitting. I want our brand to serve as a base for creating an educational system for knitters."

"That heavy, couture feel that can only be achieved by hand. This is the kind of luxury I seek at Akira Naka. When Mr. Hayakawa and I met, innovation began. It would be a shame to let this flow die out."

There's a reason why Japan is described as a nation of craftsmen. Just as Naka's ideas and Hayakawa's techniques came together and generated a tremendous amount of energy, when people with different talents work together, values are renewed.

Fashion awaits. The coming together of new talents creates new energy for the future.

[Event Information]
Title: ART KNIT
Dates: September 14th to 26th
Location: Isetan Shinjuku Main Building, 3rd floor = Re-Style


Return to Part 1.