Articles
Kento Nakajima & Joichiro Fujiwara from Naniwa Danshi Become a Topic of Conversation After Wearing It: The Unique Fashion Created by Former Clinical Engineer Takahiro Ishikawa
The artist Kento Nakajima and Joichiro Fujiwara from Naniwa Danshi have started to wear pieces by Takahiro Ishikawa, quietly drawing attention. The Official Website and Instagram serve as platforms for this up-and-coming designer.
Since he offers simple and basic items, his dedication to materials and patterns becomes apparent. What’s intriguing is that designer Takahiro Ishikawa originally worked as a clinical engineer in the medical field. What motivated this shift from healthcare to fashion design?
In this interview, Ishikawa shared his journey alongside his thoughts on garment creation. It seems his passion for fashion was the beginning of it all.
PROFILE
Takahiro Ishikawa
Born in 1996, studied medicine at a medical university and obtained a national qualification. After graduation, he worked in the intensive care unit and operating room of a general hospital in Tokyo as a clinical engineer. After resigning, he studied fashion creation at the Bunka Fashion College's Fashion Research Department and Technical Program and graduated. After gaining experience as a pattern maker for a collection brand, he started managing his own brand in 2023.
From "Healthcare" to "Fashion"
Everyone would be surprised by this career path. His profile states that he obtained a national qualification as a clinical engineer and worked in the intensive care unit and operating rooms of a general hospital in Tokyo. While this seems like a prestigious career, what made him abandon it to pursue fashion?"While attending medical school, I worked part-time at a company that produced and sold museum merchandise. It made me realize that things or products do not exist unless someone creates them.
"There were many students studying fine arts and architecture, and I unknowingly received a lot of inspiration through conversations with them.
"Being someone who loved clothes, I started to think I wanted to take the path of fashion design."
Ishikawa spoke casually about his career shift, but when he told others he was pursuing a career as a fashion designer, there was resistance.
Initially, there was significant backlash, and the days leading up to the Bunka Fashion College application deadline were filled with persuasion. Ultimately, he received warm encouragement from family, friends, and colleagues.
"My friends, who had watched my clothing choices, seemed to think it was better for me to make fashion my profession. During college, I enjoyed wearing Sullivan and gyaru styles, so I was immersed in fashion."
Ishikawa reflected on how wearing clothes he loved gave him confidence and inspiration. Surprisingly, his passion for fashion actually awakened after entering university.
"The turning point was a TV program. After watching comedian Matayoshi visit vintage clothing stores in Shimokitazawa, I began looking for vintage pieces. From there, I learned about designers’ brands and eventually developed a longing to be a designer."
This journey led him to enroll in Bunka Fashion College's specialized fashion course. During the first year, he studied the basics of fashion, such as fabrics and design patterns, and in the second year, he focused on pattern studies in the technical program.
With it being a completely new field, there was pressure, but since it was the career he had imagined since college, the joy and excitement prevailed.
Designs that Upgrade Daily Life
After graduating from Bunka Fashion College, he worked as a pattern maker for other brands before becoming independent. Even before his independence, he had been posting his work on Instagram, which led to inquiries via DMs asking, "Is this item for sale?" Inspired by this response, he decided to launch his brand under the name "Takahiro Ishikawa" in January 2023.
Currently, he handles everything from fabric cutting to pattern making and sewing all by himself in his home studio. The dedication he puts into each piece is undoubtedly exceptional.
“I focus on creating basic clothing that can be worn daily. I’m particular about designs and materials that enhance the unique appeal of the individual wearing them.
"I hope to express the confidence and courage I felt when wearing Sullivan or gyaru son through Takahiro Ishikawa.”
In line with the concept of items that align with everyday life, the product lineup consists of very simple items such as shirts and jackets. Currently, 80% of the collection is men's wear while 20% is women's, but the dedication to basic items raises the question of where that focus lies.
“I pay attention to give a little extra room compared to general sizes, ensuring that the silhouette of the wearer looks beautiful, while also being conscious of sophisticated designs that combine different materials.”
True to these words, the product introduction on the website prepares close-up images of the fabric, revealing a thorough commitment to material quality.
“The flat fabric becomes clothing when finished three-dimensionally.
"Therefore, I consciously choose fabrics by considering how they will look when turned into a three-dimensional silhouette, whether they suit the brand's ambiance, and if they further enhance the appeal of the item.
"Additionally, since these are everyday wear items, I use materials that can be washed at home for T-shirts and shirts.”
Finding materials that fit the brand's concept is an incredibly challenging task. It seems that during my student days, I often visited fabric stores in Nippori, but the materials in such local shops are often one-of-a-kind. Therefore, when expanding as a brand, I tend to attend exhibitions held by companies specializing in fabrics.
The Sweatshirt Worn by Kento Nakajima Was a Turning Point
About two years after launching the brand, the product lineup has expanded broadly, but are there any pieces that hold special significance for you?“It's the sweatshirt that was released in the initial phase. It’s an item worn by Kento Nakajima. While it’s a half-zip sweatshirt, it features a design that combines an arm cover typically used for agricultural work with a different material.”
A sweatshirt with arm covers. It’s astonishing that the inspiration came from agricultural work. Where do you usually get your ideas from?
“Basically, I don’t look at other brands’ looks. This arm cover was inspired by seeing my grandmother working in the fields.
"Rather than shifting into a mode of thinking about designs, I tend to shape ideas that come to mind spontaneously during daily life.
"Of course, I believe it's important to follow trends, but I often create based on two patterns: clothes I want to wear and clothes I think would be nice to have.”
Setting Sights on Physical Stores & Exhibitions
While he aims to maintain his stance, it seems he's reached a point where it’s time to change the methods of production and sales. In fact, since Kento Nakajima wore his pieces, inquiries from stylists and requests for product purchases have increased.
He generally produces items on an order basis, but in the future, he expresses his desire to hold the brand's first exhibition.
“Eventually, I want to have a store, and I would be thrilled to have my products available at select shops.
"I hope to continuously present collections and gradually participate in fashion shows and fashion weeks.”
Very few brands are committed to fabric quality and design, handling everything from fabric cutting all by themselves. That's why Takahiro Ishikawa is positioned as a brand many fashion enthusiasts have long awaited.
How was the article?
Share
Related Articles
