Following on from last year, the spoken words project's designer, Masahiro Tobita, has collaborated with PUMA to create a wearable art T-shirt. We spoke to him about his approach to fashion. Click here for part 1/2.

■The Significance of Producing Output

--In your second collaboration with PUMA, in addition to one-of-a-kind sneakers, you also released a T-shirt with the theme of "ewokiru."

Slipping on and wearing one-of-a-kind art. I think it's significant that a global company like PUMA is involved in this. In the art world, there are gallerists working with artists, and sometimes magic happens, like turning a stone you found on the street into 300 million yen. I think there's a common thread between the excitement of working on a big ship like PUMA and a brand like ours. I think it's okay to say this now that I'm an old man (laughs), but I want to do things that are unconventional in the apparel business and propose new values. I feel a sense of mission about that right now.




--You've also been spreading the joy of making things in various ways, such as holding an original production workshop in the TOKYO Kaihoku Zone at Isetan Shinjuku.

You're also currently creating another new brand called "3min. by spoken words project." The box contains fabric and patterns, so even if you have no experience or a sewing machine, you can hand-sew clothes. It's a kit that allows you to enjoy making clothes as casually as the TV show "3-Minute Cooking." As with the workshops, I'm often asked, "Is it okay to teach fundamental techniques so easily?" However, I personally fear that if I don't continue to share my knowledge, it will lose its vividness and freshness. I believe that by doing so, I myself am pioneering new values.



Also, since last year, I've been teaching students at Tokyo Zokei University once a week. Having a family and experiencing the earthquake changed my thinking, and I believe that this is the stage where I need to pass on what I have, whether it's my own hands or whatever. Everyone is approaching the project with a completely new perspective, and while I'm teaching, I'm also learning about the diversity of fashion from the students. It's also fun to be able to tell them, "It's okay to be free." Whether it's from a game perspective or from the perspective of caregiving. I truly believe that fashion has great potential to evolve even further.

--Are there any new challenges you're taking on with this collection line?

Following on from last fall/winter, I'm thinking of taking on the theme of Abe Kobo's novel "Woman in the Dunes." I'm also planning to present some work at the Yamagata Biennale, which I've been working on for the past few years, simultaneously with the Tokyo Collection in October. I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of clothes I'll create. Participating in art festivals and expanding overseas, which is gradually taking shape, are things I aspired to about five years ago. But when I'm working hard, I'm sure I'm too close to those dreams, and once I'm able to look at them from a more holistic perspective, they naturally approach me. I think that by calming down, the strength of my work gradually increases. And by the time my dreams are realized, I'll be heading further ahead. I feel that fashion is in a period of uncertainty, in a good way. How I interpret the times is becoming increasingly important, even in the apparel industry. That's why I want to create something unique and continue to question "new values."
[Event Information]
"Wear Art. ~Spoken Words Project x PUMA~"
Dates: June 8th to June 14th
Venue: Isetan Shinjuku Main Building 2F = Center Park/TOKYO Kaihoku
Spoken words project, which specializes in hand-dyed and printed designs, has collaborated with PUMA on the theme of "Wear Art." Focusing on one-of-a-kind "ewohaku" (wear a picture) sneakers and "ewpkiru" (wear a picture) T-shirts, the project will elevate summer sporty styling into "art" and be released by TOKYO Kaihoku.