Leafy Sandboxes in Cool June

'You know,' I looked at her for a moment as we walked side by side. Noticing half a smile being painted delicately upon a porcelain face, the tips of her charcoal stained hair quivering softly with the afternoon sun in the cool embrace of June, I realized I could never figure out what she was going to say.
'There's actually a bus that goes from one end to the other.'

Before I could reply, I felt the warmth of her gaze already drift and I knew then that a response was unnecessary. She hurried towards an earthy patchwork of overgrown grass and plants and began to forage for something with an intent as though she had been searching for this secret lot all along.

I let out a quiet sigh and walked slowly toward her, my body still a little heavy from the night before. I couldn't help but admire the concentration with which she always did everything - it never failed to uncover hidden embers of curiosity within me.
I looked to my feet and realized what she was searching for.

I crouched with her. Time passed as we played like two toddlers in a leafy sandbox.

'No way', I thought to myself as I walked to a low-lying stone wall nearby, taking out the soft pack of Seven Stars that had been resting quietly in my denim pocket.

Smoke danced farewell to the world as I exhaled, leaving her still tirelessly searching in my view.
Then I closed my eyes...

Dreaming of Quadrifoglio

Introductions please

Yasuhiro KIKUOKA born in Kyoto, brought up in Tokyo.

Can you give me a brief outline of your training and work history?

I always had a passion for design, I spend my days designing and re-designing everything and anything around me.

I studied art critics and architecture at university in Tokyo where I met the architect Tadao Ando, who still today gives me references for my creations. After graduating from university I went to Hong Kong where I designed some architectural projects for the city of Beijing, but my curiosity for "bell' arte" led me to Italy. Through the experience in the architect Studio Italo Rota in Milan, I met people from design and fashion, and then I decided to start my own design activity.

What led to the beginning of kikuoka the company?

Max Robba who is an expert fashion consultant encouraged me to start the business. His support came not only from a business point of view, but also from a product oriented view. This was the gasoline that set the engine.

Why kikuoka Italy and not kikuoka Japan?

Being a "stranger" is a fascinating experience. You are not always perfectly integrated into the system in foreign places, so you have to reflect where you are and where you go, and reconsider the way you see the world and you behave in the world. Lifetime Traveling is one of my life philosophies.

Creations breathe the air of a city. Creation in general cannot escape from local conditions (materials ,techniques etc.) and atmosphere (culture, way of thinking, foods etc.).

For me creations only from personal tastes are not exciting. Creations are supposed to be where your personal experiences meet external influences which in turn generates innovation and surprise and where else than Italy, the land of beauty, for be the perfect place to inspire the launching period of kikuoka.

kikuoka's mission statement mentions "Total Living" concept. Can you elaborate on what this means?

kikuoka project began with the perspective of extending the brand up to offering not only dresses but also everything for everything in life. For example, for our new shop/atelier "kikuoka Palazzo Rucellai Market" in Florence we are making leather cushions in "quadrifoglio (four leaves clover)" design, which can be seen on many pieces in our fashion collection.

On top of kikuoka project, I have been also been appointed art-director for an Italian porcelain brand, Richard Ginori for whom I designed not only plates but also the store concept and public relation images. This experience is still one of the most important references in my creations. It takes time, we know, but one day kikuoka's ambition is to expand our activity with this kind of experience and human network.

How do you ensure innovation, cutting edge design and quality craftsmanship?

We have an atelier for making all prototypes for kikuoka, where I can touch, examine, test, and play with materials and designs as much as I need. The atelier is a very important research and development center, that allows us not only to create any design we like, but in most cases, innovative design born while testing and playing with materials and methods. For example, with the pleats, which are so "cool" this season, we experimented and developed different pattern pleats for each material to give different effects that can be done only if you have a state of the art atelier. In that sense, I cannot finish my designs only on papers. Of course, we have great support from all kinds of professional people, like pattern makers, our tailors, and leather craftsman - all specialized into many details to realize the best processes.

Who do you make clothes for?

Discerning women that make fashion and do not follow it.

For those women not in Italy, where can your products be found?

On the net and in the best retailers around the world.

What's the future of kikuoka?

We hope that kikuoka design will add beauty to the world!

A Reminder

'What were you dreaming?' she whispered as if from some place far away. She stood in front of me, her hands - tenderly cupped together, eased slowly open. A solitary four leaf clover lay quietly asleep in her palm.

There are rare people among us who never give up the search for true beauty in this world. Those of us lucky enough to pass by their playgrounds carry magical clovers as a reminder of their existence and a symbol of their beautiful art.

Ashantha
Japan-Fashion.com

credit
model : Olga Alex(K&M promotion)
photographer: Toshiko Kikuoka
hair&makeup: Mihana Kashii

www.kikuoka.it
info@kikuoka.it