‘DIVE INTO WINTER FEAST’

For people who grow up in snow-filled places, they might say “Stop messing around, it’s not even about that!” but as someone who grew up in a city where it didn't snow much, I loved the snow that piled up in the winter when I was in London.

As someone who always thinks there is too much color in the city, the more it snows, the more the city wears ice-colored makeup, and I loved seeing that makeup. The filter of winter is a very important and wonderful element for myself.

I drink beer every day, especially in 3 particular moments.

One is while I’m going on a walk.

Another is on my day off when I decide not to leave the house for a day,

and drink from the morning.

Lastly, on my way home from a milestone day, such as a runway show.

Any one of the 3 is a treat moment for me.

Similar to how I realized a few years ago that it’s not drinking I like, it’s the beer; 

I realized that it’s not necessarily the beer I like, but it’s more about the moment of having a beer.

After the last runway, I got back into swimming which had been a routine of mine before Covid.

It felt so good to dive into the water for the first time in a long time, that I wanted to make time for it properly and make it a habit again.

It’s magical and quiet in the water while swimming, and makes you feel as if many things have been cut away and only the important things remain.

Though, it is impossible to stay in the magical water all the time,

so we paddle a little, to breathe, to check the time, to breathe into the real world with gravity.

Two strokes, one breath.

Or even one stroke, one breath.

As I swam, I thought about this balance between this illusion and reality,

without which I would not be able to swim for a long time,

might be the balance that I am doing now as a brand,

what I have to do, and what I am looking for.

This season’s title was inspired by the word "Supper" that really vaguely popped into my head while I was wandering around Paris trying to find a bookstore, and I found a booklet with a picture of the Last Supper on display in the first bookstore I entered while singing "Supper - Supper " to a rhythm in my head.

It was really a coincidence, but you want to cherish such coincidences, don't you?

Though, at first I was embarrassed and resisted the idea of using the last supper as a theme word, motif, or basis for my work. However after much research, I thought that the word "feast" would fit well, so I thought deeper about the word “feast.”

While food is certainly one aspect, as mentioned in the beginning, it is simple in nature. Therefore, what encompasses all of these - the time, people, and space that I consider a 'feast' for myself - is 'winter.' It's a very personal feast, but I believe that true fashion is sharing the innermost with the outermost. So, I wanted to treat everyone to my own feast.

Additionally, I've resumed going to the pool, and before swimming, I dive underwater, submerging myself completely from head to toe. The initial plunge into that fantasy is a truly beautiful and favorite moment of mine.

Wanting to depict the scene that creates that magical moment, I've decided to title this collection 'DIVE INTO WINTER FEAST' this season.

With fashion pieces of SHINYAKOZUKA,

everyone's daily life, scenes, and moments become a feast.

When laughing and playing with friends.

When enjoying a drink alone.

When you want to walk through the city feeling invincible after a tough day.

And so on.

I want to treat everyone to this feast by the pool. And I want you all to dive in with all your heart.

There's a haiku by Yoshikawa Eiji,

"Making chrysanthemums, when looking at chrysanthemums, be a person in the shadows."

It conveys the idea that when presenting a chrysanthemum doll created with dedication, the creator watches from the shadows. Similarly, I want to imagine the wonderful scenes surrounded by your feasts without stepping into the limelight, enjoying a beer with a smile on my face.

That, too, is a feast for me.