--You probably had many opportunities to meet creators of your generation at the "Zetsumei" exhibition. What did you think?

I love design and clothes, but I once again felt that my motives are different from other creators. I realized that everyone really loves "fashion" as "clothing." But what I'm trying to express isn't "fashion = clothes." I incorporate my own thoughts into my work.

Even after the "Zetsumei" exhibition ended, Xue Zhenfan (designer of "Jennyfax") told me that I should create my own collection twice a year. I was grateful for his advice, but when I started to wonder if it would work out if I did, I started to feel depressed. As I thought about it, I realized that I was getting annoyed, and I thought that instead of worrying, why bother doing something I don't like?

People around me tell me that I should choose my own method of expression, but if my emotions aren't moving in a happy direction, all I'll produce is crap, so I decided to stop doing that. I try not to be bound by things like having to choose one thing or abandoning something I've been doing. So, whatever form of expression I create, I hope to reach a point where when someone looks at it, they'll remember that this is the person behind it.

--Why do you want to make creating something your career, even though there are times when you don't want to do it?

When I was in high school, I imagined a future where I'd get married and have children. After going to fashion school, when it came time to look for a job, there wasn't a single company I wanted to work for. That was one of the reasons why I didn't choose to get a job.

Ultimately, when I think about whether my work is more important or myself, I realize that myself is more important. When I wanted to get people interested in my work, my strengths in drawing and creating things were what drew people to it, so quitting those was never an option.

--Your works range in form from paintings to accessories to clothing. Do you have the finished product in mind from the beginning?

No, I don't have the finished product in mind. I have a sense of atmosphere, such as the colors, the people there, and the music.

The picture itself is clear, but the clothes and accessories are vague. First, I have an image of the woman or man I want to portray, and then I start thinking about what kind of clothes they would be wearing.

--Is there anything specific you'd like to do in the future?

I want to use stone and glass, so I'm thinking of making proper accessories. I'd like to solidify the style I'm currently working on, by making them out of unbreakable silver. I also like the symbolism of accessories, and they can be worn regardless of trends, and just looking at them makes me a little happy. But I won't give up on painting.

--Finally, what do you think is "fashion"?

When it comes to clothing, I think the best thing is the clothes and accessories a person is wearing. Personally, I think that's the best "fashion."

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▼Yanagi Ari Profile
Born in 1986. Studied fashion at Coconogacco.
She started drawing on her own, and at last year's "Zetsumei Exhibition" produced by Yamagata Yoshikazu and Sakabe Mikio, in addition to displaying her paintings, she also held a fashion show installation. Since January 2014, she has been participating in a project on TOKYO DESIGN COMMIT, a fashion-focused crowdfunding site run by Isetan and Soen, to raise funds for the production of a short film, "Love Letter," which is filled with her own creations.