SEIJI INOUE

Designer

Seiji Inoue

Category

Men’s & Women’s / Clothing, 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.

I initially became interested in fashion during high school through vintage clothing from overseas.
I was also impressed by a fashion model who I coincidentally met during my back-packer trip in Asia, which motivated me to try and become a fashion designer for clothes to be worn by people with such ambience. In the past, I have done all kinds of work in and outside of Japan, but I finally decided to start up my own brand to express what I truly wanted to create.

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

Express a combination of elements from the past and present with “ageless” and “statelessness” as its theme, and propose basic and active styles with a scent of elegance.
Through my pieces of work, I would like to convey my messages to those with intelligence and elegance, regardless of their gender or nationalities, which may hopefully influence their future lifestyles.

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

All the things that stimulate my senses are the source of my inspirations, including experiences in the city, travelling and my day-to-day life as well.

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

I was largely influenced by the participating brands I saw at the Paris Collection in my student days, as well as brands that I had worked for in the past.
It’s because they made me realize how important it was to be original.

About 2016 A/W collection

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

12 years have passed since I became independent.
I decided to participate in this event to express the clothes that’s currently in my mind and to promote the brand.

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

Comparison and fusion: front and back, natural and artificial, fusion of high-tech and low-tech.
Express these in active and sporty ways.

Future

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

I am aiming to roll this out to clients of all ages, in and outside of Japan.

About TOKYO

―What does Tokyo represent for you?

Such a mysterious city, so full of goods.

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

The fabulous scenery of Omotesando.
It’s because I had spent my youthful days there.

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

Meiji Shrine
a Piece of Cake < Minami – Aoyama, Taro Okamoto Memorial Museum’s cafe>