This is the second collaboration between Nogizaka46 member Ikuta Erika and Blue Label Crestbridge. FASHION HEADLINE presents a rare conversation between Ikuta Erika and Blue Label's creative director, Mihara Yasuhiro. --This time, it seems the two of you actually met and exchanged opinions face-to-face, right? Ikuta Erika (hereafter, Ikuta): He's a world-famous designer, so I was a little worried before meeting him. But when I met him, Mihara-san was incredibly friendly, kind, and very considerate... We quickly became close. Mihara Yasuhiro (hereafter, Mihara): I was surprised, in a way. He was surprisingly laid-back. Many teenagers working in this industry are very lively and a bit athletic. --I heard you decided on the details and the types of fabrics to combine together. What kind of interaction did you have on set? Ikuta: For example, I would wear a dress with the iconic CRESTBRIDGE check pattern, which is the base of Blue Label, and then layer fabric and ribbons on top and discuss, "What about this design?" I went through a lot of trial and error with Mihara and the other staff members. But Mihara is a kind person, and no matter what I wear she says, "That's great!" (laughs). So the design was decided on smoothly. Mihara: Actually, before meeting her, I had many meetings with the design team. We stared at photos of Ikuta, whom I'd never met, and watched videos on YouTube, and we all wondered, "Would a simple design be good?" We knew from our last collaboration that CRESTBRIDGE check looked great on her, so we wanted to carry that over. However, since she's grown up since our last collaboration, the design has naturally become more mature as well. --Did you have any doubts when you actually met her? Mihara: Well, it wasn't so much that I was unsure, it was that she looks good in anything. It's embarrassing to be in front of her, but she really does sparkle. It's so bright I can't look at her.
Ikuta: No, no, no, no (laughs). When you say that, I feel even more embarrassed.
Mihara: First, I had her try on the base dress, and it looked so good on her that I thought it was fine.
--That seems like it would be more difficult.
That's why I added a little something this time. I thought it would work even if I added a little decorative flair. For example, I changed the top half of a dress that was originally all CRESTBRIDGE check to lace. Also, I added a feminine touch to a simple pullover dress by covering it from the waist down with tulle. Before the fitting, I was worried about whether it would suit me, but after meeting her, I was convinced it would work.
--It's very elegant, and you can see a glimpse of a mature charm.
Ikuta: Thank you. It's hard to find such elegant clothing, so I often wear it myself.
--You were wearing heels during the shoot, weren't you?
Ikuta: I don't usually have many opportunities to wear heels, but when I do, I feel really good. It makes me stand up straight.
Mihara: I think heels are an unnatural act. I think the deliberately high heels are a reflection of the desire to make your legs look beautiful. I feel that this reflects a uniquely female value system. The same goes for makeup. This ties back to what I said earlier, but sometimes women can look more beautiful just by adding something. That's why the heels, too, are finished with a refined finish, skillfully using the colors of each item, such as the gold hardware, beige cork, and black sole.
--The profession of idol involves a wide range of expression. Singing, dancing, talking, and acting. Mihara-san, you started your brand with shoes, and now you work on a variety of projects, including two collections a year and various collaborations. I think this breadth of expression is one thing you two have in common.
Ikuta: Sometimes, when I try something I thought I wasn't good at, I discover, "Oh, I didn't know that I had that side to me." Also, fans often praise me for things I didn't realize I had. Right now, I want to challenge myself in many different ways without limiting my own possibilities.
Mihara: There are people who can only do one thing. My wife (pianist Hiromi Uehara) only plays the piano. I draw and play sports, and I think that's an important time for me to balance my work and my studies. Now, I'm more often standing in front of a classroom as a lecturer, and teaching others is also a very important time for me. Teaching my students allows me to reaffirm the important aspects of being a designer.
--By the way, last time, you said that you've become really enjoying fashion since you became a university student.
Ikuta: Since I'm usually on the move a lot, I tend to wear pants and other easy-to-wear clothes, but when I'm going to a formal place, like a piano lesson or a concert, I often wear a formal dress. I've also started to pay a lot of attention to the length of the dress.
Mihara: It's sturdy, isn't it? In that sense, all the items are ones that fathers can feel safe in. I think this was a good collaboration.
【Event Information】
Event Title: CRESTBRIDGE CHECK SPECIAL DRESS COLLECTION
MIHARA YASUHIRO×IKUTA ERIKA (Nogizaka46)
Dates: July 20th to August 1st
Venue: Isetan Shinjuku Main Building 2nd floor = Isetan Girl
Ikuta: No, no, no, no (laughs). When you say that, I feel even more embarrassed.
Mihara: First, I had her try on the base dress, and it looked so good on her that I thought it was fine.
--That seems like it would be more difficult.
That's why I added a little something this time. I thought it would work even if I added a little decorative flair. For example, I changed the top half of a dress that was originally all CRESTBRIDGE check to lace. Also, I added a feminine touch to a simple pullover dress by covering it from the waist down with tulle. Before the fitting, I was worried about whether it would suit me, but after meeting her, I was convinced it would work.
--It's very elegant, and you can see a glimpse of a mature charm.
Ikuta: Thank you. It's hard to find such elegant clothing, so I often wear it myself.
--You were wearing heels during the shoot, weren't you?
Ikuta: I don't usually have many opportunities to wear heels, but when I do, I feel really good. It makes me stand up straight.
Mihara: I think heels are an unnatural act. I think the deliberately high heels are a reflection of the desire to make your legs look beautiful. I feel that this reflects a uniquely female value system. The same goes for makeup. This ties back to what I said earlier, but sometimes women can look more beautiful just by adding something. That's why the heels, too, are finished with a refined finish, skillfully using the colors of each item, such as the gold hardware, beige cork, and black sole.
--The profession of idol involves a wide range of expression. Singing, dancing, talking, and acting. Mihara-san, you started your brand with shoes, and now you work on a variety of projects, including two collections a year and various collaborations. I think this breadth of expression is one thing you two have in common.
Ikuta: Sometimes, when I try something I thought I wasn't good at, I discover, "Oh, I didn't know that I had that side to me." Also, fans often praise me for things I didn't realize I had. Right now, I want to challenge myself in many different ways without limiting my own possibilities.
Mihara: There are people who can only do one thing. My wife (pianist Hiromi Uehara) only plays the piano. I draw and play sports, and I think that's an important time for me to balance my work and my studies. Now, I'm more often standing in front of a classroom as a lecturer, and teaching others is also a very important time for me. Teaching my students allows me to reaffirm the important aspects of being a designer.
--By the way, last time, you said that you've become really enjoying fashion since you became a university student.
Ikuta: Since I'm usually on the move a lot, I tend to wear pants and other easy-to-wear clothes, but when I'm going to a formal place, like a piano lesson or a concert, I often wear a formal dress. I've also started to pay a lot of attention to the length of the dress.
Mihara: It's sturdy, isn't it? In that sense, all the items are ones that fathers can feel safe in. I think this was a good collaboration.
【Event Information】
Event Title: CRESTBRIDGE CHECK SPECIAL DRESS COLLECTION
MIHARA YASUHIRO×IKUTA ERIKA (Nogizaka46)
Dates: July 20th to August 1st
Venue: Isetan Shinjuku Main Building 2nd floor = Isetan Girl
