Photos: itsweb.org
In the 15-year history of International Talent Support, the talents hailing from Japan have never failed to capture the attention of the jurors of the prestigious international platform. And the reasons can be easily traced in the unique beauty of their portfolios that illustrate their intimate worlds and deeply personal stories in which a strong relationship with materials, colors and shapes always stands out.
Looking at the figures proves how special Japan’s contribution is to the ITS Seismographer: out of the 550 total finalists from 80 countries, 55 are Japanese. With over 700 enrolled designers. An even more interesting fact on the Japanese winners: as many as 20 out of 158.
An intense story now on display for the many clients of the Isetan Store in Shinjuku, Tokyo, that will be able to view a special exhibition dedicated to seven finalists of the past editions of ITS. Outfits, accessories, works of art, jewelry pieces on show in an amazing set-up that is achieving resounding success. And that confirms the effectiveness and uniqueness of ITS that, despite looking for uncompromising beauty and creativity, is also able of conquering important commercial spaces.
The exhibition was conceived and strongly supported by Isetan buyer Mari Terasawa, who explains the reasons for this exhibition:
“I knew ITS well before seeing the runway show this year in Trieste, and knew also that ITS always respected greatly the personality and creativity of young designers. As the buyer for TOKYO-KAIHOUKU I am interested in proposing new designers to our clients, and this is why I have been following ITA for so long. We regularly work with many of the finalists and winners of ITS, in particular with those coming from the Coconogacco School that has developed a strong bond with the contest. In Trieste I also discovered that ITS is like a family that looks after each single member… I am truly impressed with the way ITS preserves and protects the seeds of creativity planted by the hands of the young designers.”
And thousands of such seeds have reached us in the fifteen years of the contest’s history and have created a unique and profound connection between ITS and the finalists. A bond that shows through every corner of this installation: one of the creatives involved, Ryota Murakami, dedicated to ITS founder and creator Barbara Franchin a t-shirt that features her portrait. A connection that Mikio Sakabe, winner of ITS#FIVE, also attending the event, perfectly puts into words:
“I still think that was the most important experience in my life as a fashion designer.
I could see so many creations by different designers in one single place, and even now I sometime visit Trieste as a teacher of Coconogacco. I still feel the excitement to meet new creators from all over the world.
Isetan is one of the most important department stores in Japan, and this is a very good opportunity for the students to show their creations.”
Therefore, some of the most colorful and original elements of the ITS Family are represented thousands of miles away from Trieste, proving its widespread presence and valuable network that continues in space and through time. And that never ceases to amaze, as seen in the jewelry section, that feature unconventional materials like colored eggs, showing the lighthearted attitude of the young Japanese jewelry designers and their free creativity, without the burden of European tradition.
The designers featured in the exhibition:
Mikio Sakabe – Selected pieces & Outfit from ITS#FIVE award-winning collection “Reversible Manga Tailoring”.
Yuima Nakazato – Selected accessories & ITS#EIGHT award-winning flat circular zipper boots.
Noriko Nakazato – “Fontana di Trevi” installation piece inspired by her ITS 2014 Jewelry style.
Ryota Murakami – Selected knitwear pieces & Barbara Franchin 2016 artwork printed t-shirt.
Hazuki Katagai – “Weapons of Love” Artwork project presented at ITS 2016.
Masaki Shimizu – “Egg Paradise” jewelry collection present at ITS 2016.
Chinami Tokizawa – “Sticky Jewelry” collection presented at ITS 2016.
The exhibition will be open until October 4.
