Actress Fumi Nikaido collaborated with the fashion brand Candy Stripper. She sat down for an interview with Candy Stripper designer Yoshie Itabashi. Nikaido said that her experience as a designer for this clothing line made her realize that "there's a reason why things are expensive, and that it's important to have an eye for the essentials." As an actor active in the world of film, Nikaido felt the connection between film and fashion. Following on from Part 1 (1/2), Nikaido spoke about the first collection of her collaborative brand, "FUMI NIKAIDO "Roots" Candy Stripper," and her thoughts on Japanese fashion today. ■The power of fashion, the thrill of fashion. This marks Nikaido's first collaboration with a fashion brand. What was it like becoming a fashion designer?

Nikaido Fumi (hereafter referred to as Nikaido): It was my first time making clothes, but it felt similar to the way I normally create films. Of course, clothes are different from films in that they are not just an expression of creation, but also a product that needs to be sold. With films, the goal is to create something of the highest quality, but with clothes, it's not just that. For example, if you don't have to worry about price, you can make anything you want, but in order to get people to buy it as a product, you have to make some kind of adjustment somewhere when deciding on the price. I learned this through this experience that, of course, you can get good clothes if you pay a lot of money, but this time I wanted to make something that was affordable if you worked hard. Of course, 50,000 yen is quite expensive, but a sukajan jacket can have lavish embroidery and elaborate details, so it actually costs over 100,000 yen.

■ Thoughts on an era in which young people support fast fashion

Nikaido: Speaking with Yoshie, I felt a generational difference. I believe that in the 1950s, the era of oldies, and the era when vintage clothing was born, each and every piece of clothing was carefully made. Also, in my mother's generation and Yoshie's generation, I believe there were experiences where people would go without food to buy and wear fashion that they thought was really cool and loved. However, I feel that many people of my generation don't buy expensive clothes, don't know about brands, and don't understand why brand-name clothing is so expensive. I personally grew up without being excited by fast fashion, and I believe that to obtain essential, authentic, and good things, you need to pay a fair price. I think it's important to experience the birth of something new within yourself when you first get your hands on something truly good.

Itabashi Yoshie (hereinafter, Itabashi): I think fashion would become even more interesting if Fumi's sensibility could be conveyed to people of your generation and even younger generations. I really like Fumi's sensibility and sense.

■ Commonalities between fashion and film

--Nikaido-san, you are usually active in the film industry. Have you felt that fashion and film have anything in common?

Nikaido: I also consider myself a filmmaker, but as an actor, while also being a filmmaker, I also have the role of being on the stage, wearing costumes, using props, and being part of the set and background. My job as an actor is to express myself in a way that creates meaning by wearing costumes and holding and using props. So, as an actor, I feel certain things about clothes, such as how they feel and how they look.

This collaboration is a fusion of the sensibilities I have on film sets and the Tokyo trends and Harajuku fashion that Yoshie and her colleagues have created through clothing. Whether it's film or fashion, I believe that when each creator, with the sole desire to create something great, creates something essential, real, and good from their own perspective, the result is a work that anyone can enjoy. So, I felt that what creators feel is the same for both film and fashion, and I'm happy to have been able to collaborate in such a serious way like this.

■ Learning from the past. And thoughts about the future

--In fashion, past trends sometimes make a comeback over time. Drawing inspiration from history is also something that applies to many fields, not just fashion. Please tell us what you've learned from the past and what you want to continue to cherish.

Nikaido: I love kimonos and wear them often, but I think it's a shame that there are so many Japanese women who can't wear them themselves. I think the fact that many Japanese people know too little about Japan makes us weak when it comes to preserving a particular culture. While Japan's ability to observe and incorporate cultures from overseas is a positive thing, I feel like the lack of enthusiasm for Japanese culture stems from the fact that people tend to embrace things from overseas without first learning about Japan's own culture, embroidery techniques, and colors. Learning from overseas is important, but it's also important to first learn about what Japan has to offer. Many people don't even know that there are Japanese products, or "Made in Japan," in movies, TV shows, or fashion. So, I think the fact that kimonos are considered "special," even though they're Japanese clothing, is a bit off.

--Itabashi-san, you mentioned that reaching the milestone of your 20th anniversary gave you the opportunity to reflect on the things you love. Do you ever imagine what you'll be like 10 or 20 years from now?

Itabashi: I always try not to think about what you'll be like five or 10 years from now. I always value my own feelings and sensibilities, and I value expressing what I feel.

I love music and often go to live shows, and when I come into contact with music, images suddenly pop into my mind. I want to continue creating collections that mix universally popular things with the emotions I feel at each moment, and that make people feel excited and thrilled in any era.

--Finally, what is the appeal of fashion to you, Nikaido?

Nikaido: Fashion has an appeal that makes you feel deeply when you wear it. Tracing that back to fashion, there are historical elements to it, and it has a certain appeal. Good clothes look good even when worn simply, so they're simply cool, and I love them. Just as I was excited about fashion, I'd be happy if the fashion I created with Yoshie and the others this time could become someone's roots.