No.3 Kodai Kawai
. I understand that you are currently working mainly on art chairs.
I originally studied fashion at Bunka Fashion College, and worked for about two years remaking clothes at a select store while I was a student. I quit remaking clothes last November and held a solo exhibition of art chairs at the same time. That's how I got to where I am now.
. Fashion and chairs are two completely different genres, aren't they?
I originally joined Bunka because I wanted to do something different from the others, but in the end, everyone learned to make clothes in the same way and tried to start their own brands. I felt like I was missing something. I decided to combine what I could do and what I wanted to do and came up with a chair.
Are you self-taught in chair making?
I was actually planning to learn about furniture from scratch, but I felt that learning architecture to make chairs was no different from learning clothing to make clothes. I felt that, in that case, I would be following the same route that most people take when they study fashion, and I would feel inadequate. So, I thought that if I could utilize my clothing-making skills, I could create works that even architects could not imitate.
The desire to go down a different path has something in common with the slogan "conventional is boring" of "Stance".
Doing the same thing all the time is not interesting. Right now I am making chairs and getting into the times, but I also know that one day I will get bored with myself. I like developments. Music and movies are interesting because they develop. Just as I changed from clothes to chairs, I may make something else in the future.
Where do you get your inspiration?
There are many people who create what they like, but are not able to present it to the world. This is because they have not been able to clear up the problem of how to present their work. Many famous overseas artists are good at showing their work, so I sometimes get hints from them.
ICON ¥1,760
Today you wore the "Stance" socks, what was your impression of them?
I liked that the socks didn't fall off. Also, I usually only wear black or white ones, so these bold colors are fresh and fun.
. Both the styling of the pants with the elastic waistband and the color combination with the socks are great.
I rode my bike today, and my hem got caught in the chain several times, so I went to the 100 yen store and bought a band to hold the hem in place. I also happened to see a fluorescent watch next to the band and thought it would match the color of my socks, so I bought it and wore it as is.
What are your future plans?
The chair I am making now is somewhere between art and product, but I am wondering if I could make it more art oriented. For example, I am thinking of making a larger work.
PROFILE
. Born in 1998. . While studying fashion at Bunka Fashion College, she experienced remaking vintage items at a select store. . Currently, as an artist, she attracts attention with her works created from a fashion perspective using ready-made techniques.
Instagram:@_kotakawaio
