Article Provided by Australian Fashion Review Blog

Akira Clothing is internationally acclaimed. UK, USA, Spain, Switzerland, France, Ireland, Italy, Kuwait, Russia, Singapore, Indonesia, New Zealand and of course Australia are the countries thus far that stock the name-sake fashion label from Australian fashion designer Akira Isogawa. This impressive list reflects Akira as one of Australia’s most respected, popular and successful Australian fashion designers.

Akira has graced us since opening his first boutique in Woollahra, Sydney in 1993. Since then, Akira’s long lists of credentials are second to none with annual showings at the Mercedes Australian Fashion Week since 1996, as well as annual showings in various corners of the globe including Paris, New York, Singapore and more. His success even stems to Australia Post, when in 2005 Akira’s image appeared on a commemorative Australian Legend postage stamp. Furthermore, the automotive giant Honda made Akira a Honda ambassador in 2006.

Akira was also responsible for being the first ever Australian fashion designer to be a solo presenter at a fashion and textiles exhibition. He presented at a major national or state institution (National Gallery of Victoria in 2004/05). To this day, the collection is still touring Asia.

It is clear that Akira has taken his fashion genius to a new level by becoming a global success within the world of fashion and arts. Akira’s work seems to outperform his counterparts by embracing the Australian arts sector as whole, and not only the fashion industry. As well as receiving more than favourable reviews for his fashion creations by some of the worlds most respective fashion critics throughout the world (including The New York Times and US Vogue), Akira has also had such a strong impact on the broader arts industry, with ties to various galleries, festivals, museums, and production companies.

Akira Isogawa was born in Kyoto Japan, but we claim him to be our own since his move to Australia in 1986 where he studied fashion design at the Sydney Institute of Technology. Without a doubt, Akira has had, and will continue to have, an enormous impact upon the fashion and arts industries not only in Australia, but throughout the globe. We leave you with Akira’s philosophy

“A garment can transcend, giving it a soul.
“I translate fabrics into soft and romantic silhouettes, using natural fabrics like silks and cottons, which are kind to the skin.

“Distressing fabrics and alchemically treating them, gives the feeling of already ‘being loved’, thus evoking emotion. Even one-off fabrics found in flea markets can be given new life.
“Richly embellished fabrics echo Eastern influences, and I have great respect for their traditions. Inspiration can be found from the past – re-using vintage textiles and sometimes creating replicas of them, incorporated with specific craftsmanship.
“The number of hours someone has spent on manual work like this makes it priceless.
“I see craftsmanship as an implement with which to realise one’s vision. Past, present and future; that slogan continues in almost everything around which my work evolves. Timeless beauty and femininity in my design is profound, in a way for the wearer to express their inner soul.”

— Akira Isogawa