{"id":20423,"date":"2025-03-15T16:14:08","date_gmt":"2025-03-15T07:14:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rakutenfashionweektokyo.com\/en\/?post_type=interview&p=20423"},"modified":"2025-03-16T14:00:33","modified_gmt":"2025-03-16T05:00:33","slug":"takenori-osawa_takuro-ogasawara","status":"publish","type":"interview","link":"https:\/\/rakutenfashionweektokyo.com\/en\/topics\/interview\/takenori-osawa_takuro-ogasawara\/","title":{"rendered":"Takenori Osawa (MIDWEST) x Takuro Ogasawara (Senken Newspaper)\u00a0Part 1"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Takuro Ogasawara, one of Japan\u2019s most prominent fashion journalists, travels the globe attending fashion weeks worldwide. Takenori Osawa, known for his keen eye for style, leads the legendary select shop MIDWEST<\/a> , which showcases domestic brands at various events and has cultivated a devoted following. In Paris, we spoke with these two industry figures\u2014each involved in fashion week from their respective positions\u2014about the must-see events of Rakuten Fashion Week TOKYO 25AW.<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n\n

How often do you attend international fashion weeks?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ogasawara: <\/b>I attend both the men\u2019s and women\u2019s collections every season. For the 25AW season, I\u2019m in Milan and Paris. After this interview, I\u2019m heading to the Hodakova show and The Row presentation.

\nOsawa: <\/b>Before the pandemic, I attended every season without fail for something like 25 years, but this January and March mark my long-awaited return to Paris since COVID-19. This time, I plan to see about 60 brands.\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n

What brands have stood out to you during the 25AW season so far?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ogasawara: <\/b>Assuming we\u2019re talking both domestically and internationally, KIDILL<\/a> made the biggest impression on me. Their show coincided with LOUIS VUITTON, so I caught the rehearsal instead. It was incredibly emotional. I admire their uncompromising commitment to creating exactly what they envision. Luxury brand shows have increasingly become symbols of wealth and hierarchy, full of people who just want to show off or post on Instagram. As fashion shows turn into marketing spectacles, I find that the brands driven by emotion are the ones that truly capture the essence of fashion. Right now, young designers in particular are presenting very strong collections, including in Japan, so I make a point to watch them closely.
\nFor women\u2019s collections, I\u2019ve been following Vaquera for the past few seasons. Their clothes are girly and playful, but with a streetwear edge. Their show this season, on the first day of Paris Fashion Week, was impressive.\n\n

\nOsawa: <\/b>MIHARA YASUHIRO really stood out to me. I\u2019ve been carrying their clothes since the brand\u2019s early days, but this year, their show was held in an enormous venue\u2014quite incredible\u2014and attracted a large number of international buyers. When a Japanese brand first debuts in Paris, it\u2019s almost inevitable that the front row will be filled with Japanese attendees. doublet<\/a> is an example of a brand that started this way but has since found great success internationally. Having known and worked with them for a long time through their ups and downs, seeing their growth makes me very happy.\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n

Which of the brands showing in Tokyo are most noteworthy?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ogasawara: <\/b>After reviewing the 2025 Spring\/Summer season, I\u2019d say there are three Japanese brands with the potential to take off. The first is TELMA<\/a>\u2014the designer has experience at Dries Van Noten, and the quality is exceptional. The second is Chika Kisada<\/a>, whose vision of femininity is strikingly powerful. And finally, mister it.<\/a>, a brand featured in the TOKYO FASHION AWARD<\/a> showroom in Paris. mister it.<\/a>\u3002mister it.<\/a> is rooted in craftsmanship, and the designer has an excellent sense of style. If the right stores take notice, I believe the brand could attract significant international orders.\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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TELMA 2025 S\/S<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Chika Kisada 2025 S\/S<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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mister it.25AW (at TFA Paris showroom)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Osawa: <\/b>Japanese buyers are paying close attention to the brands selected for the TOKYO FASHION AWARD<\/a>. At MIDWEST, we carry many of the award winners. Of the winners this year, I\u2019ll begin working with RIV NOBUHIKO<\/a> from next season, and I\u2019m also buying from over 20 other awardees, including FUMIE\uff1dTANAKA<\/a>\u3001VIVIANO<\/a>\u3001TAAK<\/a>, and doublet<\/a>.
\nI\u2019ve been watching the TFA showroom since its inception. The thing I look for in addition to a strong brand identity is whether there is a balance between artistry and commercial viability. I carry mister it.<\/a> too, and I\u2019m excited to see how the brand attracts new customers with offerings that build upon the brand identity based in craftsmanship and quality materials.\n<\/p>\n\n