Yuima Nakazato
By Roshannah Bagley
TOKYO, Japan:: Yuima Nakazato’s origami and structural elements merge into otherworldly creations. This avant-garde aesthetic has seen Nakazato win numerous awards (namely the ITS#7 ‘Vertice Award’ and ITS#8 Accessory YKK Award), showcase in Paris, and most recently design costumes for Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas; and all in only a few short years – he merely graduated from Antwerp’s MA fashion course in 2008. Yuima Nakazato allows FAULT into the mind of an extraordinary creator…
FAULT:: How did you become involved with designing costumes for the Black Eyed Peas?
Yuima:: It was very sudden, I was approached by Fergie’s stylist to design costumes for the world tour after she came across my graduate collection on the internet.
FAULT:: You must feel a huge sense of achievement witnessing your creations on such a huge platform?
Yuima:: I don’t really know. I just really enjoy this way of designing. It is very personal, and I have complete freedom.
FAULT:: How would you describe your signature style?
Yuima:: I always take inspiration from the future, nature, and human technology.
FAULT:: How did you manage to create this incredible architectural aesthetic?
Yuima:: There is a very specific process I follow when designing on paper, and shape is the most important element. The idea for Fergie’s costume came from the idea of popup books. The flat paper transforms into 3D form, and so for instance the ‘black dress’ becomes a 3-dimensional sculptural piece.
FAULT:: Who inspires you?
Yuima:: My best friend, and my muse is Sabrina. She often models my work. I am always inspired by what she is thinking, wearing, doing…etc.
FAULT:: Upon graduating from the Royal Academy of Arts you made a sudden transition from clothing to accessories and footwear. How did this come about?
Yuima:: To me shape is most important element of design, I don’t really feel this was a huge transition, simply an extension. I wanted to apply the sculptural aspect of my work to smaller objects like shoes and accessories.
FAULT:: Each collection presented so far encompasses an unusual material, first wood, then metal. Why do you enjoy working with such unconventional mediums?
Yuima:: This really came from my background. My father is a sculptor, and he has always used metal, wood and glass to create the appropriate shapes. I have been influenced by this, and have taken on this attitude when investigating designing for the human form.
FAULT:: What is a normal day in the life of Yuima Nakazato like at the moment?
Yuima:: I like to visit galleries and see contemporary art… and read books…
FAULT:: What’s next on your agenda?
Yuima:: Thinking about next season’s collection.
FAULT:: What is your FAULT?
Yuima:: I have a narrow mind…
