What motivated you to make an entry to the TOKYO FASHION AWARD (TFA)?

I felt, this would be a fabulous opportunity to introduce minute Japanese production and appeal to the world the female image which malamute suggests through our creation, so I decided to apply to this award this time.From the 2019S/S season (up to the 2020A/W collection), we changed the form of presenting our collection from exhibition form to runway form. Thanks to being introduced by national and international medias, such as VOGUE Runway and WWD US, we have seen an increase in contact from overseas, and have been blessed with an opportunity to have our collection seen by famous overseas shops, such as BROWNS in London. We hope for domestic expansion of course, but our wish to tough it out overseas has also become stronger. Furthermore, through our contacts with such overseas medias and shops, we have received praise that our knit items, which is the forte of malamute, is good enough both creativity wise and quality wise to battle overseas, along with knowledge on the strengths and weaknesses with we need in order for malamute to do well in global fields as a brand. Presently, we are putting effort into creating a collection specializing more in knits, utilizing knits in over 90% of our item excluding accessories by combining knits with textiles, setting forth the forte of malamute as a knit brand.

How do you feel about TFA’s support menu? Which menu do you feel to be the most attractive?

Being able to participate during the Paris Women’s Fashion Week term from this time’s award. Being able to have our collection seen directly by buyers representing Japan and receiving advice.

How did you feel when you received notice of winning the award?

I was extremely happy and celebrated with my staff. At the same time, I swore to myself to work hard towards accomplishing my goal. I hope to never forget to be thankful to everybody, including our business partners, craftsmen who support us, staff, and to always be a brand which can continue to suggest fresh, new things.

Seeing the activities of past TFA award winning designers, how do you feel?

I have the impression that many of the award-winning designers of the Tokyo Fashion Award are doing well after winning the award, not only in Japan but also globally. This is the first time for TFA award-winners to be participating at the showroom during the Paris Women’s term, so I will do my very best to continue in the footsteps of those predecessors doing well.

Please tell us your fervor and objective towards the showroom presentation at Paris and triumphant return event at Tokyo next year.

Making good use of the advice given to us from the judges, we intend to create collections setting forth the strengths of the brand even more. We were scheduled to do a show last March but was cancelled due to the corona pandemic. If we are able to hold this show, it will be the first in two and a half years, so I hope to show everyone how we have grown.

Please tell us the brand’s prospects/goals from hereon.

Making the most of this opportunity of winning this award, we hope to a one-and-only brand utilizing fabulous made-in-Japan knit skills and the fortes of malamute of become a brand which is known and active both nationally and internationally.