divka

Designer

Takayuki Tanaka / Motoyuki Matsumoto

Category

Women’s / Clothing

Brand information / About the designer

―What inspired you to become a fashion designer? Describe developments leading up to the brand launch.

Since I was a junior high-school student, I’ve been interested in fashion. My interest grew bigger, from the clothes that I wear up to designing womens wear. I really think that from late 90’s up to the first half of 2000’s, an impressive “force” has been developing in the fashion world. I studied art and fashion design in London, at the Central Saint Martins School of Art, and I returned to Japan after graduation.
After working for several brands I decided to launch “divka” in 2011.

―What is the brand’s concept? What do you want to communicate through fashion designing?

divka was born from the desire of delivering new and beautiful clothes able to inspire people. We truly believe fashion has a strong power and that’s why each divka collection is every time more innovative and revolutionary.

―What is your source of inspiration in creating fashion? What is your process of developing a design concept?

As a first thing, even before production, I usually go to some library and give myself some “free time thinking” in order to define clearly what I would like to express through divka collection. I try to keep myself at a certain distance from the everyday living environment, rather than taking ispiration from it, and I look for keywords becoming the starting point of the collection.

―Who are your current stockists (areas, retail formats, etc.)? Describe the typical followers of your brand.

We expanded overseas, and every season we showcase our collection in Paris.

―Which brands, designers, styles and cultures have had the most impact on your fashion designing, and why?

Masahiko Maruyama of nude:mm and Tobu Nishizaki of ujoh are two designers I really look up to.

About 2016 S/S collection

―Why have you chosen Tokyo (or MBFWT) as the venue for presenting your collection?

divka features three dimensional garments with a very complex structure. When you see divka creations on a hanger, you cannot really grasp how these garments would trasform once you wear them. During fashion exhibitions, sometimes this could be a limit. It is indeed during fashion runways where our collection take life and it is possible to see the trasformation of our collection on models. That’s also the moment in which divka powerful message is truly touching and in a good way hitting the audience.

―What is the concept / image for your brand’s 2016 S/S season?

We are still on the definition stage, nothing is yet decided.

Future

―What are your brand’s future outlook and goal?

We have always been inspired by people and we think that fashion most all has the power to impress them. We really hope divka collection is able to emanate that power.