Isetan Shinjuku will host a pop-up event called "Yukata Stylist Made" featuring yukatas designed by 10 stylists at The Stage on the 1st floor of the main building from June 19th to 25th. (After the event, the designs will be available at the Kimono section on the 7th floor of the main building.) Fashion Headline interviewed 10 stylists! We'll be introducing them in a relay format. This time, we'll be featuring stylist Akio Hasegawa. Hasegawa has long been interested in yukatas. This time, he's proposing a plain yukata woven with yarn pre-dyed with indigo. It's a simple piece that captures the natural texture of the material. --What Japanese dyeing and weaving techniques did you incorporate this time? And why did you choose those techniques? I used a method called Echigo-katazome indigo dyeing using Katakai cotton. Indigo has always been my favorite color, and it's a very Edo-style, calming color. I made a yukata a few years ago, and ever since then, I've wanted a plain yukata, preferably indigo-dyed. Indigo dyeing, a dyeing technique that dates back to prehistoric times, has many benefits, including insect repellency and antibacterial properties. Because it originated in a hot country, I think it's a dyeing method suited to summer. This time, I focused on using as many natural dyes as possible, in order to respect the background of the craftsmanship. --What's the difference between your main job, styling, and designing clothing (in this case, yukata)? Perhaps because yukatas have a uniform silhouette, I didn't feel there was any particular difference this time. I've worked on clothing design before, and I felt it was different then. It depends on the genre, but design is about "expanding" so that more people can wear it. Styling is about presenting a sample of what it will look like, and rather than expanding, I think it's more about making it more concrete and "refining" it. It all depends on the case.

--Was there any difficulty you faced while actually making a yukata, or any new discoveries you made?

There weren't any particular difficulties. I would like to continue working with kimono.

--What traditional Japanese techniques would you like to incorporate into your styling and designs in the future?

Indigo dyeing

--Who do you think is the coolest man in a yukata?

A sumo wrestler.

--Which domestic or international designer would you like to have design a yukata for you?

When it comes to yukata, I'm not interested in mixing different genres, so I can't think of any Western designers. Classic and simple is enough. Just walking around in a yukata will make you stand out, so I want to keep it as orthodox and understated as possible.

If I try something unusual and the strangeness works, that's great, but sometimes it doesn't. If I had to say, I think things that don't look too strange at first glance, like yukatas with their names on them worn by rakugo performers or sumo wrestlers, are interesting. Wouldn't it be fun to let some mischievous sumo wrestlers make their own yukata? I'm sure it would be cute.

--What is the most memorable memory of you going out in a yukata? Also, what are some recommended situations or spots?

Shinsuke, a bar in Yushima. A yukata is perfect for drinking sake in a classic establishment.


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Born in 1975. After studying under Kitao Yoshiyuki, he became a freelance writer and stylist. He currently works for MONOCLE (UK), which he has been involved with since its launch, and POPEYE, which was revamped in May 2012.