Ujoh is a high fashion brand combining the precision and delicacy of quality Japanese workmanship. It aims to convey the mannish and refined mood present in the unrestricted creativity and vision of an accomplished pattern maker. Showing an eye for delicate, high quality fabrics the collection encapsulates comfort, completeness and adventurous cutting.

Ujoh

Established in 2009, the 2010 Spring & Summer collection marks only the brand's second season in high-end womenswear.
Based upon the concept "sophisticated and mannish", the forthcoming line created by designer Mitsuru Nishizaki is fittingly entitled In Gold.
As the name suggests, the dresses glow with a warmth and colourful aroma reflective of the sumptuous scatterings of light that shimmer richly on into the dry evenings of summer.
Their serene incandescence is a result of carefully selected fabrics and unique treatments combined to produce radiant cloths such as the brand's exceptional luxurious silk linen. This season also finds the designers adding gold and smoky pink accents to a palette of mainly navy and black breathing an air of gentleness into the fine quality garments.
Ujoh's summer dresses and jackets are an impressive showcase of authentic tailoring, technical flair and enchanting fabrics indicative of a maturity and insight far greater than that of a typical fledgling brand.

Designer Mitsuru Nishizaki was born in 1978 in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan. Famous for its textile industry, the area was referred to as "Rayon Kingdom" during the early Showa period and has since been a source of textiles for several European brands such as Chanel and Balenciaga.

As a young man, Nishizaki's interest in fashion led him to the capital where he attended Tokyo Mode Gakuen. After graduating, he began preparing to leave Japan backpacking when by chance, or "fate" he muses, he happened to meet an old college senior who offered to introduce him to Yohji Yamamoto, whom at the time was looking for a skilled part-time employee. Nishizaki's reaction to this fateful opportunity was more pragmatic than most. Originally having little interest in the brand, he nevertheless appreciated its influential reputation and the enviable experiences to be had working in such a globally renowned fashion house.

Nishizaki studied the uncompromising approaches taken at Yohji Yamamoto, working as a designer and pattern maker in the principal lines, Y's for men and Yohji Yamamoto pour homme. He was involved in the entire creative process from inception to presentation and unsurprisingly, became enamoured of the artistry of "creation".

During his seven years at the avant-garde company Nishizaki began to experiment with his own silhouettes, culminating in a decision to leave the international dressmakers and launch Ujoh.

Nishizaki believes "a pattern maker that thinks design can properly yield the true atmosphere of clothes". He is resolute when speaking about the importance of textiles and believes "it is crucial to go to real textile factories, to learn and understand the cloths and only then can you create something true."

Nishizaki admires the far reaching history of the distinguished European fashion houses, still able to unify "edge" and "tradition". He hopes to inaugurate a mens collection in the future and maintain his careful work with Ujoh so that one day the brand may too become a long standing and recognized name in fashion, and judging from the assuredness of the upcoming collection it may well do.

Undoubtedly, the quality will be fully appreciated after trying on an Ujoh garment. Look out for the new generation in Japanese high fashion.

Written: Ashantha G

Ujoh HOMEPAGE