52tenbo+

Designer

Yasokichi Konishiki / Takafumi Tsuruta

Category

Men’s & Women’s & Baby&Kids / Ready To Wear, Bags,, Accessories and others

Brand information / About the designer

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

Konishiki:I always wanted to wear nice & cool clothes but because I’m a big man I wanted to making clothesline where big guys can look good in it so I’m really interested in creating big men design clothes.
Tsuruta:I became interested in fashion in my second year of high school under the influence of a senior student at a convenience store where I worked part-time. After working as a fashion designer for 10 years and as a teacher at a vocational school for 4 years, I became independent and launched my own fashion brand, tenbo, based on the concept of “for everyone in the world. There I met my friend Yasokichi Konishik who is the sumo champion, and the two of us hit it off and launched 52tenbo+ in order to solve the problem of the lack of fashionable clothes for large people.

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

I want to convey the natural happiness of not having to worry about fashion and being able to enjoy fashion without worry, to men and women of all ages, with or without disabilities.

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

Konishiki:My ideas comes a lot from sumo kimono etc… then Polynesian Samoan design & I love street art.
Tsuruta:When it comes to ideas, I always go to 100 yen stores and home depot for inspiration. I am a very sensitive person, so I try not to look at the fashion industry as much as possible because I am influenced by it. I try to create a universal mode without being influenced by trends. When it comes to design, I try to feel “people. When I meet people, talk with them, and get in touch with their emotions and expressions, my designs come to me in endless ways.

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

We have wholesale customers in Hokkaido, Nagoya, and Hiroshima. We sell our products mainly through our online store and pop-up stores. We also have pop-up stores and other sales channels. Many of our fans are sensitive people who value the feelings that go into our designs, rather than superficial designs. Many of our fans are also people with disabilities.

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

Konishiki :I try follow fashion magazine with the latest fabrics colors & different patterns in design clothing and I think Japan have lots great designer Yoji Yamamoto, Kansai Yamamoto etc……
Tsuruta:The brand that has influenced me is Vivienne Westwood. I am impressed by the way she sends out a solid message to the times without being bound by stereotypes. I am also influenced by manga, which is one of Japan’s proudest subcultures, and I have been influenced by HUNTER x HUNTER, Sanctuary, Slam Dunk, One Piece, and many others.

About 2025 S/S collection

―Why have you chosen Tokyo (Rakuten Fashion Week TOKYO) as the venue for presenting your collection?

We want to make it known to as many people as possible, both domestically and internationally. The fashion industry has changed dramatically in the past 10 years and has become worldwide. I want many people who do not enjoy fashion to know that fashion is free.

―What is the concept / image for your brand’s 2025 S/S season?

INDEPENDENCE

―What is your vision for your show / installation?

One look for each model selected through auditions. We would like you to see the fashion in which the diversity of the models shines.

Future

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

There are still very few fashion brands for people with large bodies. Our goal is that one day there will be more brands with such a concept and 52tenbo+ will finish its role. By then, the freedom of fashion will have expanded.

About TOKYO

―What does Tokyo represent for you?

Konishiki:Tokyo very fashionable city many different style of fashion from young girls to office workers etc….. lots of different choices in fashion in Tokyo so just being in Tokyo had many great inspiration for diverse fashion.
Tsuruta:It is a place where you can challenge your dreams.

―Which parts / sites of Tokyo do you like most? Why?

Konishiki : Asakusabashi is my favorite place. When I became a rikishi, my first sumo stable was in Asakusabashi, and it is a place that holds deep memories for me. Asakusabashi is also a place where people have deep connections with each other, and where festivals and events bring together people of all ages and genders. Tsuruta:Tamazenshoen is a sanatorium for Hansen’s disease located in Higashimurayama City, Tokyo. It is a somewhat nostalgic hometown-like place open to the community for cherry blossom viewing, summer festivals, and autumn foliage viewing.

―What are your favorite / recommended shops (of any genres, e.g. fashion stores, homeware stores, food services), facilities and sites?

Konishiki:Food in Japan from street food to high quality cuisine Tokyo I think has the best food in the world.
Tsuruta:Nagomi Restaurant, Nagomi’s kama-meshi is superb. Located in Tamazenshoen in Higashimurayama City, Tokyo, anyone can stop by.