She’s one of the most acclaimed designers of the moment. Her style is simple but full of lights colors. She was born in Japan. But her inspiration comes from the street and the city that gave her the possibility to grow up, London. Her collection on MUUSE, 2→3 , is dedicated to an out-of-line woman who can wear simple clothes while still being eccentric. The collection concept turns around different dimensions that meet Japanese culture and daily style.
Her name is Natsumi Zama and we had the chance to meet and ask her some questions:
Tell me a little bit about your background – Was there an ‘aha’ moment when you knew you would go into fashion?
I was born in Yokohama, Japan. Since I was a child, my interests are handicraft and drawing. My uncle, a publisher used to give me fashion magazines and I always enjoyed them. Then I gradually came to be interested in fashion. After graduation from high school, I still wanted to do a creative job, so I decided to study clothes making at Bunka Fashion College in Japan. I came to London after that for studying designing skills at LCF. At Bunka Fashion College, I acquired fundamental skills of clothes making techniques and knowledge. While at London College of Fashion, I learned more about the design process from the initial research stage to finished garments.
Can you talk about the relationship you see between fashion, style … how you feel about the fashion industry?
Fast fashion by fashion industries is the main mainstream today, but I know that small labels and young designers are growing their power at the same time because their scarcity value is increasing in fast changing world. What I’m making and I am going to make is the opposite of what big companies make for mass production. My design can’t be made in a factory because of its construction and has to be made by hand. It sounds inefficient but I believe some people love that kind of things and I want them to buy my clothes. I create what industries can’t do and what a small label can do.
What’s next for you?
Well, I’ll continue my personal work but I would like to collaborate with other creative people to make something interesting. That’s something I can’t do alone.
Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?
In five years time, I’ll keep making clothes to cultivate my skill and hope to run a small shop somewhere in the world.
What do you have to say to the next generation, particularly for those hoping to be fashion designers?
I wish they keep being creative and always enjoy their job. Rather than doing unpleasant job patiently, I would like them to do what they like to do to keep motivated.
What made you decide to be part of MUUSE?
I like the website and concept of MUUSE first of all – and also I’ve finished making new collection quite recently and thought MUUSE would be good showcase, to release and promote it.
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