Akira Isogawa
Encyclopedia
is one of Australia
's most prominent contemporary fashion designers. Born in Japan
, he immigrated to Australia in 1986, studying fashion at East Sydney Technical Collage drawing from inspiration from contemporary Japanese design. He also opened up a store in Woollahra, Sydney, in 1993. By the late 1990s, international sales and recognition established his reputation. His commercial fashion label, Akira, concentrates on women's fashion.
As well as commercial success, Isogawa's designs have been exhibited in a number of major Australian galleries. He has also worked as a costume designer for the Sydney Dance Company
.
His clothes appear under his own label and are sold both in Australia and New Zealand. He is one of the few Australian designers to exhibit and sell his clothing in Paris, arguably the world's high fashion capital. The designer's clothes are sold in 12 countries around the world.
Isogawa's clothes draw on a variety of inspirations, notably his experiences growing up in Japan. It's well known that Akira also works closely with, and is also influenced by the creative direction of Christiane Lehmann, a collage artist with a very eccentric sense of style, whom is commonly referred to as his muse
over the last decade.
Isogawa recently collaborated with Australian airline, Qantas
, to develop luxurious new accessories for First and Business class passengers that travel with the airline.
In 2003, he was honoured on a commemorative Australian postage stamp
, along with other Australian fashion designers, Collette Dinnigan
, Carla Zampatti
, Joe Saba
, Jenny Bannister
and Prue Acton
.
A number of his lavish costume creations while a student survive in a well catalogued retrospective of the RAT Party
era kept at Sydney's Powerhouse Museum
.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
's most prominent contemporary fashion designers. Born in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, he immigrated to Australia in 1986, studying fashion at East Sydney Technical Collage drawing from inspiration from contemporary Japanese design. He also opened up a store in Woollahra, Sydney, in 1993. By the late 1990s, international sales and recognition established his reputation. His commercial fashion label, Akira, concentrates on women's fashion.
As well as commercial success, Isogawa's designs have been exhibited in a number of major Australian galleries. He has also worked as a costume designer for the Sydney Dance Company
Sydney Dance Company
The Sydney Dance Company is one of Australia's most successful and well-known contemporary dance companies. The company was founded in 1969 as the dance-in-education group Ballet in a Nutshell by Suzanne Musitz , later changing its name to Athletes and Dancers, and Dance Company ...
.
His clothes appear under his own label and are sold both in Australia and New Zealand. He is one of the few Australian designers to exhibit and sell his clothing in Paris, arguably the world's high fashion capital. The designer's clothes are sold in 12 countries around the world.
Isogawa's clothes draw on a variety of inspirations, notably his experiences growing up in Japan. It's well known that Akira also works closely with, and is also influenced by the creative direction of Christiane Lehmann, a collage artist with a very eccentric sense of style, whom is commonly referred to as his muse
Muse
The Muses in Greek mythology, poetry, and literature, are the goddesses who inspire the creation of literature and the arts. They were considered the source of the knowledge, related orally for centuries in the ancient culture, that was contained in poetic lyrics and myths...
over the last decade.
Isogawa recently collaborated with Australian airline, Qantas
Qantas
Qantas Airways Limited is the flag carrier of Australia. The name was originally "QANTAS", an initialism for "Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services". Nicknamed "The Flying Kangaroo", the airline is based in Sydney, with its main hub at Sydney Airport...
, to develop luxurious new accessories for First and Business class passengers that travel with the airline.
In 2003, he was honoured on a commemorative Australian postage stamp
Australian Legends
The Australian Legends is an annual series of commemorative postage stamps issued by Australia Post since 1997. The stamps commemorate living Australians who have made lifetime contributions to the development of the Commonwealth's national identity and character...
, along with other Australian fashion designers, Collette Dinnigan
Collette Dinnigan
Collette Dinnigan is an Australian based fashion designer. Born in South Africa, Dinnigan moved to New Zealand, then Australia, where she obtained work with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation...
, Carla Zampatti
Carla Zampatti
Carla Maria Zampatti AC is an Italian-Australian fashion designer and businesswoman.Carla Zampatti is Executive Chairman of Carla Zampatti Pty Limited. She is also a Trustee of the Sydney Theatre Company Foundation Trust, and is a Board Member of the Australian Multicultural Foundation.Born in...
, Joe Saba
Joe Saba
Joe Saba is an Australian fashion designer and fashion business owner.He started his fashion business in 1965 with the opening a store in 287 Flinders Lane Melbourne called the Joseph Saba Shirt and Sweater Shop. The Saba store was later in Collins Street, Melbourne. In 1969 he established a label...
, Jenny Bannister
Jenny Bannister
-Early life:Bannister studied Fashion Design and Production at RMIT's Emily McPherson College, and commenced her career in 1975 as a recycled denim designer.-Career:...
and Prue Acton
Prue Acton
Prue Acton, OBE is an Australian fashion designer, and is often referred to as Australia's "golden girl" of fashion' during the 60's.-Early life:...
.
A number of his lavish costume creations while a student survive in a well catalogued retrospective of the RAT Party
Rat Parties
Rat Parties were held in Sydney, Australia during the 1980s and marked the emergence of a consciousness that was fashion-aware, gay-friendly, hip to dance music and open, outrageous celebration...
era kept at Sydney's Powerhouse Museum
Powerhouse Museum
The Powerhouse Museum is the major branch of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences in Sydney, the other being the historic Sydney Observatory...
.
External links
- Akira label website
- Akira Isogawa exhibition at the National Gallery of VictoriaNational Gallery of VictoriaThe National Gallery of Victoria is an art gallery and museum in Melbourne, Australia. Founded in 1861, it is the oldest and the largest public art gallery in Australia. Since December 2003, NGV has operated across two sites...
. - Akira SS 08/09 collection gallery - Harper's BAZAAR
- Lucire magazine interview with Isogawa
- Three Layer Cake interview with Akira
- Interview with Akira Isogawa on Australian Edge