How was “PITTI IMMAGINE UOMO” at Florence and exhibition at the Paris showroom, “showroom.tokyo”, in January?

Because for lady’s the term is for pre-fall collections, we exhibited only a few pieces at PITTI which is a men’s exhibition, and placed weight on the Paris showroom. This is also part of my motive to apply to the TOKYO FASHION AWARD (indicated as TFA hereinafter), but it was just at a time when I was hoping to put effort into overseas developments, plus it was a good opportunity to challenge the pre-season, so I think it was a good move. I had prepared strongly designed items for the main collection, so for the pre-season, I constructed the collection mainly with simple items while mixing in some design aspects which were characteristic of IHNN, so from buyers, we received many words such as “want to see more items strongly showing the brand colors”, or “will consider ordering after seeing the main collection”, and therefore the pre-season did not connect to many orders, but I think it was a good flow connecting into the main collection.

Due to the spread of COVID-19, the second “showroom.tokyo” scheduled to be held in July was changed to establishing an online showroom in “JOOR PASSPORT”. How do you feel about that?

There was so much I learned at the January showroom, so I was disappointed when the physical show in June got cancelled, but it was our first time to utilize the platform of an online showroom, and I think it turned out to be a good experience in contemplating methods in which to present our collection in the future. IHNN is not a brand with high-impact designs, and much is lost in translation unless people actually see and feel our materials, or see models wearing it, so I felt there are difficulties in utilizing an online showroom. But at the same time, it enabled us to connect with fairly lots of buyers and were able to receive input on what buyers are interested in, so I think we gained much from it.

The triumphant return event in Tokyo Fashion Week scheduled for March was cancelled and carried out afresh in October. With what kind of mindset did you face it?

I had created the 2020 A/W collection with the show presentation in mind, and had already planned the production, so I was truly disappointed when the show was cancelled. However, this time, being able to have our collection seen by more buyers and press who usually do not have the opportunity to come to the fashion week in Tokyo because of being too busy circling overseas fashion weeks, and being able to present the collection in a show form, which is the method in which the collection can be presented most beautifully, was truly an exceptional experience.

What kind of experience has participating in the programs of the TOKYO FASHION AWARD been for the brand?

First, I would like to express my appreciation in TFA’s sincerity and support towards our brands amid all the difficulties faced by the fashion industry as a whole, due to COVID-19. I found out about TFA at its second time in 2016. I became interested in it when I found out that FACETASM was an award-winner of the first time, but at the time, I was receiving support from the “TOKYO NEW DESIGNER FASHION GRAND PRIX” ＜http://www.fashion-gp.com/＞, so I had hoped to apply to TFA as the next step. I applied 3 years after that, and during these 3 years, IHNN had accumulated its carrier and the quality of our clothes has risen. And during this time, lady’s collections have anchored globally, so I feel really glad and lucky to have won this award at a timing with the wind at my back. Being able to challenge myself in doing a pre-collection has been a large step forward for the brand.

Please tell us your plans for the future.

For 2021 S/S, although we were able to do a show presentation, due to the situation, as a collection, we were forced to limit the number of pieces we make, and exposure opportunities, so in truth, I feel quite frustrated and incomplete. I have no idea how long the effects of this COVID-19 pandemic will linger on, but for seasons beyond 2021 A/W, I intend to thoroughly consider methods of development, put even more effort into creating high quality items, and deliver it to everyone. When I first started the brand, my aim was to present a show at Paris, but through experiencing these past two seasons, continuing to create clothes which can be long enjoyed by IHNN fans has now become my aim. I hope, there will be more and more people who feel joy and happiness in wearing my clothes.