An interview with Tsumori Chisato

Before becoming a designer Tsumori Chisato wanted to be a Manga illustrator. That early career interest can be seen in her collections, which have a sort of Manga-folk inspiration. After spending 13 years at Issey Miyake SPORT, six years on the design team, and seven running the show as head designer of the label, Chisato was advised by Mr. Miyake himself to start her own line in 1990. And she did. Chisato is based in Tokyo, where she lives and works mostly, but she also spends time in Paris. She’s a self-proclaimed workaholic and she says she’s “fine with it” because she is doing what she loves.

MS: Where did you get the feeling for your SS15 collection?

TC: This collection can be imagined by the expression ”Garden in my Heart”. I wanted to show how I feel about nature, flowers, leaves and animals.

MS: Do you create your own prints?

TC: Yes I do. I draw a lot, all of the time actually. Sometimes I redesign prints I find and make them my own; they’re very special and very "me"!

MS: How did you come up with the dolphin print?

TC: It comes from a trip I took to Greece after one of my shows in Paris. The ocean is everywhere there, and I felt so inspired.

MS: Do you feel that there is an influence from your time at Issey Miyake that comes out in your collections?

TC: He taught me the importance of creating something original and dynamic, and also the importance of working as a team.

MS: How do you see your work today?

TC: I believe that now my designs are quite creative, original and different!