FAF

Designer

Kazuho Arai / Tsukasa Takabayashi

Category

Mens / Ready to wear

Brand information / About the designer

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

Kazuho: When I was a college student, it all started when we wore T-shirts we made ourselves as the DJ unit FakeAssFlowers at YouthQuake events. Because I’ve always believed in trying things out for myself since childhood, I started studying fashion and sewing on my own after graduating from university.

Tsukasa: Originally, we didn’t graduate from a fashion school, but when we were college students, we started making clothes after printing logos on T-shirts with silk screen and wearing them ourselves. That’s how we started making clothes. From there, we began designing on our own through self-study.

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

Kazuho: Spirit of rebellion, world peace.

Tsukasa: Clothes that make you feel excited when you wear them.

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

Expressing the contrast between urban and natural environments.
Drawing inspiration from various aspects of music, literature, art, the internet, vintage clothing, miscellaneous goods, and scenes from their own lives.

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

Worn by individuals of all genders across Japan, with Tokyo as the central hub.

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

Kazuho: Influenced since childhood by skateboarding, street culture, Black music, and Nakamura Hiroki.

Tsukasa: The environment and culture the designer has encountered from childhood to the present, including influences from Virgil Abloh, Matthew Williams, and Rei Kawakubo.

About 2024 A/W collection

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

Kazuho: Global expansion and establishing the brand in Japan.

Tsukasa: Pursuing the potential of FAF (Fashion As Fun) and challenging new presentations of the brand.

―What is the concept / image for your brand’s 2024 A/W season?

Kazuho: The culmination of what we have expressed as a brand.

Tsukasa: “Recirculation of creation”

Future

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

Kazuho: TNC’s bloating.

Tsukasa: Global expansion and escaping towards THE NEW COMMUNE.

About TOKYO

―What does Tokyo represent for you?

Kazuho: A city swirling with information and desires, quick in many senses.

Tsukasa: Built & Scrap. Safe zone.

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

Kazuho: Setagaya – a good balance between urban and natural environments.

Tsukasa: An area known as Shitamachi. Because you can feel the atmosphere of old buildings and long-standing customs.

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

Kazuho: There’s a flower shop called BUENO-F in Sangenjaya.

Tsukasa: A local shop called GRANARYS Coffee.

About efforts for SDGs

―Please tell us about your brand and personal efforts and challenges regarding SDGs.

I believe we should not only consider environmental concerns but also strive to challenge sustainable products by incorporating elements of design, specifications, as well as traditions and techniques from various parts of the world that endure.