NAPE_

NAPE_

Designer

Tatsuma Yamashita

Category

Men’s & Women’s / Ready To Wear, Bags

Brand information / About the designer

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

When I was very young, I often watched my grandfather pull his shirt over his arm, and carefully open and close each button. I can still clearly remember my fascination with the structure of clothes.

As a teenager, I was drawn deeper into art and culture through the gateway of music. I came to realize that I wanted to dedicate my life to creating clothing.

Eventually I became an adult and I entered the workforce. For years I worked full-time and gained experience in the full process of clothing creation as a patterner and production manager.

Later, I was fortunate enough to make connections that led to me starting a music label, which increased my drive to turn my greatest strength, making clothes, into a real business.

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

We would like people of all ages and genders to be able to wear our clothes without being bound by genre.

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

The light and shadows of social issues, the things that catch my attention at the time, and the things that catch my attention through my own filters, I create over drinks and discussions with my trusted family and friends.

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

In Japan, our products are sold at select stores in Tokyo and other parts of Japan, as well as at our own flagship store, NUMBER THREE in Shimokitazawa.

Overseas, it is sold at select stores all over China.

Our products are supported by people with various tastes, and we enjoy unexpected reactions every time.

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

To be honest, it may not be reflected in my more recent creations, but my greatest influence is definitely the brand designer that I worked under during my years as a full-time employee.
It shaped my very flesh and blood in more ways that I can count, from awareness of my place in society, the joy of creating works with friends, and maintaining an honest and sincere attitude towards fashion, to pursuing my passion with relentless determination, and nurturing a rebellious spirit that will never be accepted by the world.
My teenage years were during the late 1980s and the 1990s. The colorful cultures of that era will always be the roots of my inspiration.

About 2022 S/S collection

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

To increase awareness among more people.

―What is the concept / image for your brand’s 2022 S/S season?

OUR SOCIAL DILEMMA

―What is your vision for your show / installation?

This time, I would like to use both visual and auditory senses to create something that will touch the hearts of those who see it.

Future

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

It’s about resolving questions that I’ve had since I was a child.

About TOKYO

―What does Tokyo represent for you?

I believe that Tokyo is a city where you can make it whatever you want it to be.

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

It is between “Shibuya” and “Yoyogi Hachiman”. I’ve lived in that area all my life in Tokyo , so I feel like a my real hometown.

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

Flagship shop named NUMBER THREE is located in Shimokitazawa, Tokyo.

We are now temporarily closed to prevent of COVID19 spread, though, I’ll be there in normal weekends.

I hope that you could stop by. We should have some drinks and have a talk!

About efforts for SDGs

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

There is a concern that the SDGs will become a single word and be digested as a temporary fad.
However, we have been pursuing the use of fabrics that do not produce waste since the foundation of our brand, and Our goal is to achieve a fabric product yield ratio 1.3 times higher than that of ordinary apparel brands.
We also collaborate with wholesalers to remake customers’ unwanted clothes and repair and upcycle purchased products.

By the way, I talked about when I realized I wanted to be a designer, but I didn’t mention that my grandfather was missing one arm due to an accident.
Since I was little, I realized that my grandfather suffered inconvenience from his clothing, and he also struggled finding well-paid work due to his disability.
One of my goals in fashion design is to eliminate such inequalities, and to contribute to building a society that gives everyone a brighter hope while providing satisfying employment.