RAINMAKER

Designer

Koichi Watanabe / Ryutaro Kishi

Category

Men’s & Women’s / Ready To Wear, Shoes, Hats and others

Brand information / About the designer

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

Since a young age, I enjoy creating things. From my second year of high school, I started to redesign clothes that I bought, developing my own pieces.
After graduating from high school, instead of going to a profession oriented school, I enrolled in university. I combined my studies with a job at Morikage Shirts Kyoto, while also creating my own clothes. I was selling my own designs to a select shop in Kyoto. My designs started to sell well and when the select shop decided to start their own brand, they offered me the opportunity to be in charge of the design. At the company, I launched a men’s brand called N4, which existed for 10 seasons. Afterward, I launched Rainmaker.

―What is the brand’s concept? What do you want to communicate through fashion designing? What are the images of men and women you want to project?

Rainmaker is inspired by history and tradition. The aim of the brand is to give long-standing traditions a contemporary update, fitting with modern life. The collections are inspired by both traditional Japanese garments as well as classic tailoring from the west. This inspiration is reflected both in the structural aspect of the clothes – the patterns and silhouettes – and in the first glance you take at the appearance of the clothes.
I believe that people who identify with the philosophy of Rainmaker and enjoy wearing the brand, will share the brand’s concept and story with others.

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

History and tradition.

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

Today, Rainmaker is available at various department stores, high-end multi-brand stores and e-commerce platforms.
Answering the question who is the typical Rainmaker client, is not so straightforward. We have people of all ages and backgrounds buying the brand. I do believe that most of our clients are over the age of 30 and typical enjoy wearing fashionable clothes but also appreciate tradition.

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

I’m greatly inspired by traditional craftsmanship and clothing. I’m also inspired by long standing stores, stores with a history, that have been around for many decades.

About 2019 A/W collection

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

This is our first time presenting the collection at Amazon Fashion Week TOKYO. Although I’m not 100% sure what the exact outcome will be, the opportunity for more people to get to know Rainmaker is always great.

―What is the concept / image for your brand’s 2019 A/W season?

Rainmaker does not work around seasonal concepts.

―What is your vision for your show / installation?

To be determined.

Future

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

One of my goals for the near future is to create a space where both a store and the creation of the clothing can coexist.

About TOKYO

―What does Tokyo represent for you?

A place for showcasing the collections.