Yuima Nakazato, designer of YUIMA NAKAZATO, held his show as the opening batter of the 2016-17 Autumn/Winter Paris Haute Couture Collection. He presented a new era of clothing, combining cutting-edge technology with traditional techniques. What was his true motivation for approaching haute couture, and what does he envision for the future?

--You've been incorporating technology into your own brand and costumes for some time now. Why?

I always have an image in my mind of what I want to create, and technology is the means by which I can bring it to life. I discovered that technology can make images that I thought were impossible to create, and so I started incorporating it as a method of craftsmanship.

--What was your intention in incorporating traditional Japanese techniques such as Edo Kiriko glass and lacquerware?

I originally became a designer because I loved craftsmanship. My father is a sculptor and my mother is a metal engraver, and I grew up in an environment where everything we needed in life, from home interiors to everyday items, was made by hand. Perhaps because of this, I have a deep attachment to handmade, non-prepared items. Japan's traditional techniques are wonderful, but mass production is difficult, and the reality is that the number of artisans who can pass on these techniques is decreasing. I wanted to incorporate this into this collection as a way to share Japanese techniques with the world and pass them on.

Furthermore, the fusion of two opposing elements can create new aspects. The latest technology and traditional techniques, the past and the future, the digital and the real. I personally love both extremes, and they were essential elements in this collection pieces and show in particular.



--You've designed costumes not only for Japanese artists, but also for many international artists such as Lady Gaga, and you seem to be already active on the world stage. Why did you decide to take part in haute couture this time?

The number of requests for costume design has been increasing every year, and I felt that the process of creating clothes for each individual was a good fit for me. The entertainment industry is larger overseas, with a wider range including movies, celebrities, and artists. I decided to take part in haute couture this time in order to communicate the brand's worldview to the world and take the next step.



--Even if you want to take on the challenge, I imagine it would be quite a challenge to hold a show at the Paris Collection.

I prepared the necessary documents such as my past achievements and letters of recommendation, and about four months ago I had an interview with a representative from the French Federation of Haute Couture and Ready-to-Wear. After that, I prepared a huge amount of necessary documents, and it was only two months before the show that I was able to hold the show on the official schedule as a "guest member." I temporarily stopped making costumes and devoted myself entirely to this haute couture for the past six months, so I'm relieved that it's over, but at the same time I'm thinking about what to do next (laughs). In the six months leading up to the next collection, I'll also have to work on costume production, which will be another challenge.

--There are countless brands and designers in the world, but what kind of brand do you want to establish as YUIMA NAKAZATO?

We're currently in a period of transition between digital and analog, and fashion is finally starting to incorporate digital technology. I want my brand to be at the forefront of the times and become a new, unprecedented model. However, I don't believe that having the latest technology alone is enough. I sense vast possibilities in new things, but that alone can be somewhat bland. Conversely, there's a sense of security and familiarity in old things that never change, but if they don't change with the times and the industry, they will stop progressing and decline.

With my brand, I want to utilize traditional techniques in a modern way while making full use of digital technology. I plan to continue taking on challenges in various forms, from collections to costume production, and to approach manufacturing with sincerity.

--"The Future of Haute Couture, Created Freely from the Body, as Shown at Paris Fashion Week -- YUIMA NAKAZATO 1/2 [INTERVIEW]"