How did you think about the jury meeting of the TFA 2017.

It’s only the 3rd time, but from a buyer’s point of view, I felt that it lacked a bit in impact and originality. The last two times, there were a wide variety of genres, including street, mode, outdoors, art, etc., each showing uniqueness through characteristic processing and production.

What did you think about the entrée designers of the TFA 2017.

There were some designers that are already popular overseas, and I hope that this award will give them the opportunity to approach even more people around the world.

Looking back, how do you feel about the achievements of the TFA 2015/2016 award winning designers, their exhibitions at the Paris showrooms for 2 seasons and their triumphant return shows in Tokyo?

Because the location of the Paris exhibition is stationary, I think that showroom.tokyo is becoming acknowledged. By having buyers around the world remember the location and name of the showroom, it becomes a check-point for when merchandising, so I think this is a very good thing.

How did you think about the jury meeting of the TFA 2017.

Perhaps it is because the reputation of the TFA itself has spread more than the last time, I had the impression that the number of applications from young brands have increased even more.

What did you think about the entrée designers of the TFA 2017.

In expressing the world view of the brand in the shooting of their looks and visuals, those brands that expressed a feel of “Japan” well, by incorporating daily everyday sights and/or authentic Japanese houses, caught my eye. I think that such expressions will work as an advantage when approaching overseas markets and being acknowledged as a Japanese brand.

Looking back, how do you feel about the achievements of the TFA 2015/2016 award winning designers, their exhibitions at the Paris showrooms for 2 seasons and their triumphant return shows in Tokyo?

They have surely raised acknowledgment in both domestic and overseas markets, but that does not mean they have gained continual support, so I’ve heard that some are looking for showrooms to exhibit at, after the limited period they can exhibit at the Paris showroom. There seem to be some brands that are worried whether they can continue to do overseas exhibits, on their own.

How did you think about the jury meeting of the TFA 2017.

I have the impression that the number of young designers are definitely increasing. In the year 2015, there were many talented designers holding runway shows, even overseas, and in 2016, there were many designers that are already doing well in domestic markets. In that sense, a line-up of designers with proven ability had been chosen. But this time, I think that unique brands of the next generation, who are trying to get to that stage, have gathered.

What did you think about the entrée designers of the TFA 2017.

Still small scale in business aspects. I think the majority were still well in their growing stage. As for creation aspects, I felt there is a new wave of trying out new expressions, a challenging of new things that past designers had never tried before.

Looking back, how do you feel about the achievements of the TFA 2015/2016 award winning designers, their exhibitions at the Paris showrooms for 2 seasons and their triumphant return shows in Tokyo?

Through their exhibitions at Paris, I think the matching process with influential overseas shops has advanced, and their acknowledgement and appraisal has definitely risen. I also think that these advancements from domestic to overseas have had great influence on the designers themselves, in teaching them to look upon their brands from a global point of view. I think it is important to continue such awards, and to continue such systems so that its range will expand widely among young designers.

How did you think about the jury meeting of the TFA 2017.

I’m a buyer for lady’s wear, so I’m happy that the number of lady’s brand designers have increased. At the same time, I feel that the taste and genre of contestants have spread wider, increasing the difficulty of selection.

What did you think about the entrée designers of the TFA 2017.

It’s become common place now, but each brand has been actively and effectively utilizing SNS to transmit information. Such tools that allows direct approach, not only to buyers and merchandisers, but also to consumers themselves, were not so popular a few years back, and are such an innovation. I think its importance as a branding tool will continue to increase, from here on.

Looking back, how do you feel about the achievements of the TFA 2015/2016 award winning designers, their exhibitions at the Paris showrooms for 2 seasons and their triumphant return shows in Tokyo?

At the exhibition in Paris, there was a tendency for designers that have a unique identity to be in demand. In addition to the high quality characteristic of Japanese products, I think that a strength and/or impact at first glance, will continue to be an important factor. Also, there are many instances in which prices cause difficulties when exporting. Therefore I feel it is imperative to form a total branding that makes people want, despite the higher prices.

How did you think about the jury meeting of the TFA 2017.

I think the genre has spread wider. It was an interesting line-up, with a variety of strong points and tastes, from designers who have already been winning awards in various fields, to designers who have just started up their brand.

What did you think about the entrée designers of the TFA 2017.

The variety was wide, from brands that are already popular overseas, to just starting-up brands showing a true prospect of talent, but I felt that there were many brands with a Japanese-ness in a good sense, an individuality, brands with a true sense of fun, and I found that interesting. If they learn a creation balance with a business mind, and better their communicative abilities with overseas, I think their possibilities will increase even more.

Looking back, how do you feel about the achievements of the TFA 2015/2016 award winning designers, their exhibitions at the Paris showrooms for 2 seasons and their triumphant return shows in Tokyo?

As the first step, I think the results are good. Specifics were different for each brand, some acquired overseas retailers smoothly, some received action but acquirement of a contract was left to the next time, but I think that all the brands got a chance to challenge themselves with new, interesting things. I hope they will continue doing so, and I think that is what is important!

How did you think about the jury meeting of the TFA 2017.

To be quite honest, there were many brands that I only know by name, but through actually seeing their items at exhibitions and speaking to designers, I found several good brands, more than I had anticipated, which gave me an opportunity to learn, also.

What did you think about the entrée designers of the TFA 2017.

I think it is a very good tendency that young designers, who have learned well under a famous designer, not just experience in designing, but also other things as how to make a presentation, are making an effort to approach global markets, as well as domestic markets.

Looking back, how do you feel about the achievements of the TFA 2015/2016 award winning designers, their exhibitions at the Paris showrooms for 2 seasons and their triumphant return shows in Tokyo?

After the award, there are designers who have started to present shows overseas, and I think this is a good point. But at the same time, in order to truly backup and support the award winning designers so they will be recognized and appraised overseas, I also think it is necessary to reevaluate the direction of the award itself, and its selection criterion, once.