Origami you can wear

If you think that fusing origami (the Japanese art of paper-folding) with fashion design to create wearable pieces of art is impossible, you’d better think again. Japanese-born Australian designer Akira Isogawa makes use of this art as his starting point for designing unique clothes. The result is clothes that boast sculptural patterns. Pretty cool, eh?

Akira Isogawa’s designer résumé includes studying fashion design at the East Sydney College of the Sydney Institute of Technology, creating collections bought by Browns (fashion boutique) and Barneys in New York, staging fashion shows in Paris, winning designer of the year awards, as well as collaborating with the Sydney Dance Company to design performance outfits and so on.

The great news is that we can all get a glimpse of Isogawa’s creations. Recently, the Ayala Museum and Australian Embassy invited journalists to a seminar with Danielle Whitfield, assistant curator of the National Gallery Victoria for Australian fashion and textile. She explained the complex, multi-layered story behind Isogawa’s creative process, abstract ideas, and collaborations.

"Akira found the balance between what’s wearable and what is considered to be art," says Whitfield. "What sets him apart from other designers is that he works with the textile itself before the structure of the fabric." It is just amazing how he can fuse the raw, organic quality of the fabric with its delicateness, making ingenious garments and accessories.

Believe it or not, paper dolls found in an antique market became Akira’s muse for the Printemps-Été (spring-summer)collection 2005. Together with long-time collaborator Christiane Lehmann, they made 20 dressed dolls embellished with beads, paper, embroidery, and other decorative motifs. Then, they translated the doll collection into a human scale, showing creative wrapping and layering, unmistakably Isogawa’s signature.

There were a few pieces that I found extremely cool, like the white top with pink straps and petal skirt made of linen silk and cotton. It was such a summer-fling outfit that reminded me of a tulip. The colors just blended so well, like a watercolor painting.

Another piece that rocked my list was the bib top with sequins, circle layered skirt and belt with bear wallet. The layered skirt of sheer fabric gave an ethereal yet aesthetic look. Like a metamorphosis of sorts. Plus, the yellow bear wallet added a cute contrast to the silhouette.

I really loved his series of nine bonds tops. Imagine plain white tank tops adorned with elephant doodles, Japanese lettering, glass and plastic beads, sequins, leather materials, and embroidered metallic thread that shaped bright flowers. Very hip and chic, indeed.

Other pieces emphasized Japanese textile traditions within the borderline of art and design. Isogawa acknowledged the influence of master origami maker Takahiro Shirai as the second inspiration for his work. This resonated in his red cherry-blossom bag and wraparound shawls made of linen, organza, and printed cotton.

"The origami and collage-inspired works form the basis of Isogawa’s Black Label collection. This is his primary ready-to-wear collection from which his Red Label diffusion range is derived," explains Whitfield.

Designing doesn’t end with clothes but with accessories. Isogawa made a giant rat backpack, which was inspired by a toy mouse. Dig the chick wallet, which can be used as a zip-up purse as well. How cute!

Isogawa opened a window to the world of art in fashion design. Twenty works were bought by the National Gallery of Victoria. The great thing about him is that he has millions of ideas. And he constantly collaborates with other artists. More importantly, he creates new and innovative designs that set him apart. Isogawa, indeed, is a cut above the rest.

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Akira Isogawa’s Printemps-Été collection 2005 will be on exhibit at the Ayala Museum until Feb. 10. For inquiries, call 757-7117 to 21 local 14.