Bio -
Naoko Tosa is a new media artist interested in creating new value mainly from the relationship between sound and image. Her early work, An Expression (1985), which generated sound in real-time from the brightness of video images, is in the MoMA collection. There are various “patterns” in traditional Japanese culture. She found that an asymmetrical triangle, a pattern of Ikebana, can be generated by giving sound vibration to fluids and photographing the shape of the fluids with a high-speed camera. She created a video art called “Sound of Ikebana.” This work was screened every night for 3 minutes at NY Times Square for one month in April 2017 when she served as Cultural Envoy of the Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs. Currently, she is developing fashion using her digital new media art.
Please share a bit about your journey to embrace fashion design as a career.
As described in my bio, I have been working as a new media artist. Using technology, I have been trying to create a new form of beauty hidden in nature. "Sound of Ikebana" is one of my artworks based on the concept described below. When I started joint research with Epson, a company that has digital textile printing technology, I noticed that my artwork could become designs, and I could make fashions.
Naoko Tosa is a new media artist interested in creating new value mainly from the relationship between sound and image. Her early work, An Expression (1985), which generated sound in real-time from the brightness of video images, is in the MoMA collection. There are various “patterns” in traditional Japanese culture. She found that an asymmetrical triangle, a pattern of Ikebana, can be generated by giving sound vibration to fluids and photographing the shape of the fluids with a high-speed camera. She created a video art called “Sound of Ikebana.” This work was screened every night for 3 minutes at NY Times Square for one month in April 2017 when she served as Cultural Envoy of the Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs. Currently, she is developing fashion using her digital new media art.
Interview -
As described in my bio, I have been working as a new media artist. Using technology, I have been trying to create a new form of beauty hidden in nature. "Sound of Ikebana" is one of my artworks based on the concept described below. When I started joint research with Epson, a company that has digital textile printing technology, I noticed that my artwork could become designs, and I could make fashions.
How did you learn your skills?
I have learned the basic art and graphic design creation skills at an art university in Japan in my twenties. But after that, I have been brushing up on my art creation skills. Also, I have been interested in technology. Technology, especially cutting-edge technologies, gives me new inspiration. Therefore, I sometimes collaborate with researchers/engineers to create new artworks. Then I received Ph.D.. of Engineering at University of Tokyo.
Who are you as a designer? Aesthetic? Customer? Brand?
I am a designer. I made my Brand of Sound of Ikebana Also, I made Sound of Ikebana Brand Aesthetics. My brand is characterized by turning my new media art into fashion using digital textile printing technology. A high-speed camera with a speed of 2000 frames/second captures the shapes born from a baby's first cry and heartbeat that cannot be seen with the naked eye. One frame of this video is made into fashion using Epson's digital textile printing technology. While using Ikebana as a motif that evokes an oriental ZEN atmosphere, the fashion is stylish and stateless, which leads to simplicity at its best.
What comes easiest for you as a designer? What is hardest?
As a new media artist, my artworks can fascinate people even when applied to fashion as designs. At the same time, if I want to sell my fashion, another problem appears: there are so many varieties of people's body shapes.
Where do you find inspiration for new collections? How important is colour to your design process?
As a Japanese who has matured sensitivity to four seasons and specific colors in each season, colors in my fashion play critical roles. During my art creation process, I use colors that match my image, check the result, get new inspiration, and proceed to use better colors. This is a cut-and-try process.
I have learned the basic art and graphic design creation skills at an art university in Japan in my twenties. But after that, I have been brushing up on my art creation skills. Also, I have been interested in technology. Technology, especially cutting-edge technologies, gives me new inspiration. Therefore, I sometimes collaborate with researchers/engineers to create new artworks. Then I received Ph.D.. of Engineering at University of Tokyo.
Who are you as a designer? Aesthetic? Customer? Brand?
I am a designer. I made my Brand of Sound of Ikebana Also, I made Sound of Ikebana Brand Aesthetics. My brand is characterized by turning my new media art into fashion using digital textile printing technology. A high-speed camera with a speed of 2000 frames/second captures the shapes born from a baby's first cry and heartbeat that cannot be seen with the naked eye. One frame of this video is made into fashion using Epson's digital textile printing technology. While using Ikebana as a motif that evokes an oriental ZEN atmosphere, the fashion is stylish and stateless, which leads to simplicity at its best.
As a new media artist, my artworks can fascinate people even when applied to fashion as designs. At the same time, if I want to sell my fashion, another problem appears: there are so many varieties of people's body shapes.
Where do you find inspiration for new collections? How important is colour to your design process?
As a Japanese who has matured sensitivity to four seasons and specific colors in each season, colors in my fashion play critical roles. During my art creation process, I use colors that match my image, check the result, get new inspiration, and proceed to use better colors. This is a cut-and-try process.
Readers would love to hear about the collection you will be showing on the runway at New York Fashion Week FW24 in February? Inspiration, fabrics, pallette, etc.?
The fashion show will blow a new wind that has never existed before. The fashion can be worn when deciding whether it is public or private. It will be called Power Fashion: Sound of Ikebana. In addition, it is gender-free clothing, and all ages can wear it.
Do you have a favorite look in this collection?
As I will show Fall/Winter fashion this time, I focused on combining mantle & court and inner clothes. I hope such a combination would appeal to the visitors.
Where can readers purchase your designs?
There are two ways. One is to purchase my fashion online through an online shop, Shopify - https://ikebana-fashion.myshopify.com/. Another is purchasing them at a shop called Lucky Selectism in Chelsea.
What's next for you as a designer and your brand?
Of course, as a designer, I want to make my fashion a global brand. At the same time, as I am a new media artist, I have another dream to make my artwork a global brand. I plan to live in Japan and New York for half and half, focusing on creating my artwork and fashion.
In closing is there anything else you'd like to share with readers?
Please look at my art fashion at Ikebana Fashion.
Please look at my art fashion at Ikebana Fashion.
Social Media Links -
- Website - www,naokotosa.co.jp/
- Instagram - @naokotosa
- Facebook Personal - www.facebook.com/naoko.tosa/
- Artworks - https://naokotosa.co.jp/ja/
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