tomo koizumi

interview

by OLIVIER ZAHM

photography

by CHIKASHI SUZUKI

Kazumi Asamura Hayashi, style

Lu Hongfei, model

Sota Nagashima, production assistant

 

Koizumi’s voluminous, hand-sewn, meticulously cut, and colorful ruffled dresses go far beyond clothing. With theatrical energy, this self-taught designer blurs the line between couture, queer culture, and art.

 

OLIVIER ZAHM — Where in Japan are you from?

TOMO KOIZUMI — I’m from Kisarazu, a city in Chiba Prefecture, about a two-hour train ride from Tokyo on the eastern side of Tokyo Bay. It’s a place rich in nature, with both the sea and the mountains.

OLIVIER ZAHM — How does Japanese culture influence your designs?

TOMO KOIZUMI — I enjoy incorporating elements that are distinctly Japanese to add entertainment value. It’s not about catering to the audience, but rather using these elements as a way to bring joy and fun. For me, using  my Japanese roots in my…