Interview with Sayoko Kitai
Sayoko Kitai mainly produces wearable art jewelry. These fully-3D embroidery works are created using the Double-Sided Embroidery technique, by which the same pattern can be stitched on both sides of…
Designer of the Day Interview
18 May 2022
I have been in this industry for more than 20 years and recognized by several organizations for great quality of my works. One of the most prominent clients for me is Ms. Yumi Katsura, a famous wedding dress designer. I provided some embroidery works for wedding dresses and a tuxedo she designed. I have never learned designing or stitching at any school but learned them by myself.
I first started stitching because I just wanted to make my children happy. I really liked seeing them smiling when they saw stitched cars or robots. My strong feeling of wanting to reproduce the beauty of nature is also one of my reasons to become a designer and creator.
I feel excited through the course of designing and creation with the realized work in my mind. For me, the most exciting moment is when designs are realized.
I watch and examine things closely and always keep designing or creating without giving up. I think these helped me become successful.
Almost 40 years ago, I started designing and stitching for my children. It had been just one of my favorite things to do for a long time. But, after I won several prizes and awards, I trademarked “Rittai-Shisyuu (3D Embroidery)” about 20 years ago, started creating embroidery works as business, and established my own brand 2 years ago.
In the morning, after doing some workout, mainly stretching, I start designing or crafting. In early evening, I go for a walk to get new inspirations.
I read fashion magazines to follow up trends. That said, it is important for me to prioritize what I really want to design and create.
I first look at its overall balance, because I think it is the key for successful designs, as well as its backside.
As I mentioned earlier, my biggest work is for Yumi Katsura, because it was very time-sensitive. I also had to design and craft embroidery works just with her staff’s directions and images and without even seeing sketches of her dress design or the actual dress made.
I love to design in a quiet environment. However, during crafting, I love to listen to BABYMETAL songs.
Collaborating with other people is possible for me, and the most desirable partner can be a person who can inspire each other and be on level ground.
Design competitions such as the A’ Design Award are one of the opportunities for gaining publicity, as well as a chance to try designing new works.
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Design Legend Interview
15 May 2022
I have never learned it at any schools but learned it on my own.
Whenever I see all the beautiful things around me, I am urged to reproduce them.
I chose to become a designer and have never been forced to do so before.
Just try to watch and examine things around you so that you can develop the ability to appreciate things or beauty.
I think just keeping creating what you really want to design is the key.
Morpho Rhetenor Helena Butterfly brooch is my greatest design ever because it was first time for me to be successfully able to make their wings form-changeable.
When I design something, I design it again and again until I feel satisfied. This has improved my skills.
I can’t imagine myself doing anything else other than the designer and creator.
Design is my reason for living.
Team members on this project, because I was finally able to create an embroidery work that can be called jewelry.
I have pre-existing conditions and this helped me to achieve this height.
On the other hand, my pre-existing conditions can sometimes be an obstacle for me.
Creating an embroidered insect jewelry collection is in my mind for the next project.
I want people around the world to get to know “Art Jewelry”.
Morpho Rhetenor Helena Butterfly brooch is my greatest design ever because it was first time for me to be successfully able to make their wings form-changeable.
On average, it takes one to two weeks just for designing.
Don’t forget a sense of fun.
As a designer, I want design to come first.
We, designers, can be more creative and do more with technologies.
Adobe photoshop and illustrator.
They are the things that make designs more attractive.
When I see a great design or product, I start to think how I can incorporate what I felt great into my design.
Co-design is possible for me, and the most desirable partner can be a person who can inspire each other and be on level ground.
MODEetMODE.
When I see beautiful things that inspire me, I always think how I can make them look most appealing with my design.
Young people all around the world. I like hearing different opinions and ideas.
They are outcomes of all my efforts and recognize my achievements. I feel very happy when I get one, but it is difficult to be famous in Japan just for getting awards.
I like all the four seasons in Japan and eating food in season.
When I was walking along a street with an embroidered butterfly brooch on my shoulder, a passerby thought it a real one and said to me “a (real) butterfly is on your shoulder.”
Beautiful flowers and dresses made my day great.
I never imagined I would become a designer in my childhood.
Designer Interview
15 May 2022
I have never learned it at any schools but learned it on my own.
My brand devised the novel Double-Sided 3D Embroidery technique and is creating bespoke products including art jewelry and altered fashion items.
Art jewelry. It’s because they are so delicate and needs meticulous attention to details when designing. It’s always challenging but fun for me at the same time.
Butterflies are my most favorite design because their wings’ patterns are so complicated and it is difficult to find how I can reproduce their beauty when it is realized.
3D hawks and various butterflies to decorate wedding attires.
When I encountered things that are interesting and inspiring.
Back side of the works. Usually people see the front side but don't see the back side of things. However, in my opinion, we, designers should take great care of the details, even back sides.
I feel excited with the realized item already in my mind.
I feel a great sense of accomplishment.
I think an overall balance in a realized design is key.
I first consider its overall balance, because I think it’s the key for successful designs, as well as its backside.
Enriching people’s lives through designs and leaving them as a record of this age for future generations.
I think it will follow the current of the times.
My last exhibition was held at Saliot gallery, Tokyo, Japan, and another exhibition is to be held at Chibagin Himawari gallery, Tokyo, Japan from July 5th to 18th, 2022.
I can get a lot of inspirations by going out. I often visit galleries, parks, and so on.
I live in Japan. And when I was a child, I lived in a city close to Kyoto, old capital of Japan, so many beautiful legacies had an impact on my design style.
Listening to designers and incorporating their ideas are important.
Tablets are the great tool for scaling. Pens that are easy to hold and draw are necessary for me.
In the morning, after doing some workout, mainly stretching, I start designing or crafting. In early evening, I go for a walk to get new inspirations.
Getting steady income might be difficult even though you have excellent skills and a sense of design. But you can get a great pleasure and a sense of happiness, once you are recognized.
Watching and examining things are most important.
Encyclopedias, websites, fashion magazines.
On average, it takes one to two weeks just for designing.
Yumi Katsura International.
I want to earn a solid brand reputation and market my designed items globally in the near future.
I usually work by myself but also like working with other people.
I’m designing a new dragonfly brooch.
I prefer to be contacted via e-mail (sayoko@rittai-shisyuu.net) or inquiry page on my website (https://www.rittai-shisyuu-en.net/contact/).
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