Yuima Nakazato
Designers like Iris Van Herpen, Massimo Osti and Hussein Chalayan are known for pushing the technological limits of fashion, experimenting with the latest discoveries in materials, treatments, production processes. 2008 and 2009 finalist Yuima follows the same path with his futuristic approaches and his use of the latest technological discoveries to develop fabrics that challenge the boundaries of what is possible. In his ITS collection he paid tribute to one of the greatest innovators of all time, Leonardo da Vinci, without missing on the opportunity to use a NASA developed fabric with incredible strength properties. Back when 3D-printing technology had barely come out, he developed an entire collection revolving around it. Since the Fall/Winter 2016/2017 season he has been regularly invited to show his couture collections at Paris Fashion Week. His vision for the future of mankind is one in which “Eventually, each and every garment will be unique and different.”
During the pandemic in mid-2020 Yuima presented Face to Face. Made-to-order garments usually require physically meeting a client, and an understanding of the clients’ needs and sizes through real-life dialogues and measurements. In this project all client interactions took place online. Like a random lottery, Yuima selected a number of clients who applied for the project and asked them to send him a white shirt, asking about stories that were tied to those shirts. Inspired by these conversations he redsigned and reimagined them, returning a completely new garment. A project where clients and designer co-create. The entire service was offered free of charge as charity, in hopes to bring smiles in such dire times. By offering apparel which balances craftsmanship with technology, Yuima aims to bring tailor-made clothes to a wider range of people.