DIY

Interview with Fumiko Kawa

Fumiko Kawa is a Malaysian-chinese who works as an Independent Fashion Designer, Stylist and blogger. She has always wanted to become a fashion designer who could contribute to the fashion world and have her designs seen in runway shows in places like London, Paris, Milan and New York.  Her personal goal is to show at Japan Fashion Week(JFW) / TGC (Tokyo Girls Collection). She loves Japanese fashion, culture and values and applies it to her fashion designs.

Her passion has driven her to make her name in the fashion world. She loves to learn anything about fashion.
She took her first step by buying her first sewing machine. Redesign and create fashion pieces on her own… Fumiko does not know when she will reach her goal,but she knows she is one step closer.
“A dream will always just be a dream if you never take the first step…  Your attitude will determine your creation…”

- Fumiko Kawa

Fumiko, it is a pleasure to meet you. When did you first begin to be interested in fashion?

Fumiko: At the first moment I fall in love with fashion.

You have no formal training. Do you think that being trained is important to your work or that certain people have natural design skills they were born with?

Fumiko: Yeah, I am self-taught in fashion design, still in learning and keep improving on my work. To me, it’s not-so-important that you must have formal training to become a fashion designer but, proper skills, experiences and spirit is a must for me to get improve myself in fashion design. You will try your best to get to the place you wish to be, if you having your spirit like ‘I must achieve something in my life’. When you are not holding this belief, you will not going to any place even you have the best training in the world.

In your blogs you report on, among other things, japanese street fashion. Do most trends in fashion come from things girls do themselves and wear on the streets in Japan?

Fumiko: Not for all but, there are always so much creativity you could be seen on the streets.. DIY, mix and match, creative ways of styling and more.

What are your favorite style of clothes to wear yourself?

Fumiko: layering in minimalistic concept, casual cool yet girly style and  keep as creative as Japanese street style.

Who are the designers that you are influenced by or you admire?

Fumiko: I don’t tend to any fashion style or icon, I don’t want to limit myself for any inspiration. I could get inspired by a song, a movie, a fabric, a design or even a smile. Fashion is everywhere, and I like the spirits I do in fashion. I could vbe insipred by any great designers, design and the spirit behind the design.

Can you tell us a little about your latest projects?

Fumiko: I preparing a collection for a fashion design competition in the coming year. It’s about denim. I combine kinds of fabric with denim to create a more refreshing yet unique piece, which meets with my theme.. and brings out the meticulous of denim too.

What is it that you admire about Japan and its culture?

Fumiko: Creativity and freedom. I don’t tend to limit myself for a certain style, I would love to try any fashion style which could create something interesting and new in mix and match. Kinds of style and look, but with the spirirt of creativity and freedom… Just like Japan street style.

 
Where do you hope to be in five years?

Fumiko: I planning to further my studies on fashion design in the coming year considering between UK and Japan, so I think I will probably there.