YOUNG DESIGNERS: AI KOMOTO

In its ongoing quest to support young emerging designers, Exhibition is celebrating the Japanese designer Ai Komoto.

Hello Ai. Tell us more about your inspirations.

I love flowers and wild trees, and I believe that the shapes of plants and animals are among the most beautiful and perfect. At the same time, I appreciate the geometric rhythm of shapes and objects created by humans, especially perfect circles and squares. The divine proportion is also found in flowers and snails, adding a certain mystical coherence to pleasant sensations.

What is the starting point for a collection?

Colors and materials often serve as the starting point for my creative process. The ideal process is to create an original story. I use various knitting techniques and create patterns that allow me to build my own mythology. I sketch, list keywords, collect details, create a pattern, calculate, and then knit. Knitting is solitary work, so I always do karaoke while I work. Throughout the creative process, I often receive help from my friends, and it almost always ends in a friendly gathering with drinks.

Your brand in 3 words ?

Fun, thingamabob, fantasy.

How do you feel about the next generation of young designers ?

I feel like I'm part of a resistance network of people who continue to have a challenging spirit in order to create something new. It's not easy for anyone in any industry, and I think we need to help each other because most of us are living in a glittery mess. It's said that nothing new can be created because everything has already been made, but the simple act of being able to create something by oneself is invigorating and brings a lot of joy, as does learning new things.

Why are young creators attracting attention today?

It could simply be a passing trend or a nostalgic desire to wear something "made by human hands". In the near future, the number of people who will create things will increase, and it may become impossible to distinguish between designers and amateurs. By then, I might be designing holographic clothing or knitting circular sweaters from bones and vines. I'm sure it will be cool!

How do you imagine the future of fashion?

Even in the future, this approach to realizing our fantasies and creative projects in knitting or other arts will not disappear. It's immortal; our imagination will continue to be passed on to others.