Shinyakozuka Spring/Summer 2024 Rakuten Fashion Week Tokyo

Shinyakozuka Spring/Summer 2024 at Rakuten Fashion Week Tokyo

Shinyakozuka SS24 collection ISSUE#4 entitled WONDERFUL WANDER. “The moon is beautiful, isn’t it?”

Dear ALL,

There is a tale where Natsume Soseki translated “I love you” as “The moon is beautiful, isn’t it?” A lovely translation that makes us ponder what the true meaning is.

A waiter in an Italian restaurant, bustling about wearing an apron,

A couple sitting around a Margherita-like dish, with a subtle distance between them,

An old man buying three packs of cigarettes ahead of me at the convenience store,

disappearing into an alley in a tracksuit,

An old lady strolling with her Shiba Inu,

A cap adorned with a logo that is elusive, uncertain of where it can be found,

A woman in a long coat, stumbling in a tipsy manner, supported by men on both sides,

A sofa adorned with a bulky waste disposal seal, awaiting the morning,

A tonkatsu restaurant where the sign alone reveals its deliciousness,

A premium beer held in the right hand,

These are the scenes witnessed on my way home at night.

I enjoy taking walks, often with a beer in hand. In my younger days, I would take the last train to Kobe or Kyoto, And walk all the way back to my hometown of Osaka until morning. I find great pleasure in walking through shopping streets and residential areas, bypassing beautiful landscapes and famous landmarks, And unexpectedly encountering the aforementioned scenes and more. In my mind, these scenes naturally transform into a theatrical performance, each playing their own role. Within limited information, I envision deeper stories. It feels like reading poetry, imagining the scenes behind them. Although I no longer have the luxury of half-day strolls like before, when I feel inclined, I walk home from the office, or I get off at a station slightly farther from my nearest one and walk home.

During these walks, I find myself lost in thoughts, refining ideas. It’s a relaxing and delightful time that flows so smoothly. In my mind, it’s like a blank canvas where words and images come to life, overlapping with the ordinary scenery of residential areas, creating a sense of whimsical landscapes, assisted by the beer, of course.

So, for me, the word “street” might be akin to “fantasy.” When I paint, I often depict the moon and houses as motifs. I’ve always wondered why I’m drawn to them.

“Because my favorite musicians often sing about the moon.”

“Because it resembles the Bauhaus combination of circles, triangles, and squares.”

I thought it might be one of those reasons, but the answer that resonates the most is, “Scenes I often see during walks.”

This time, I’ve been captivated by blue and gold for some reason. I thought it might be inspired by Yves Klein’s works but while walking, I glanced at the color scheme of the premium beer in my hand and thought, “This is it! This familiarity!” During these walks, I discovered so many things. I’ve always believed that the backside holds more beauty, that richness lies in hidden places, but during my research, a certain book shattered my bias.

Since then, I’ve come to say, “The backside ‘also’ holds beauty.”

Simply put,

The front and back,

The top and bottom,

The right and left,

The strong and the weak,

Being able to affirm them.

Crafting scenes where we exchange smiles, saying, “Looks delicious!”

Sharing moments of exclaiming, “Delicious!” with someone,

That’s the kind of brand I aspire to be.

I thought about it while creating this Shinyakozuka Spring/Summer 2024 collection, Those walks served as the catalyst. Walking is not only a physical act but also a metaphor, So I thought of titling it “WONDERFUL WANDER.” It means a wonderful stroll, But the translation didn’t quite capture it. What I want to convey is not just the beauty of walking, but the desire for each of these scenes to enrich our lives.

Therefore, with the hope that they are depicted as they are, And that the joy and excitement are shared and cherished, I wrote “WONDERFUL WANDER” and translated it in my own way.

“The moon is beautiful, isn’t it?”

Sincerely,

SHINYAKOZUKA