Marking a decade since the brand's inception, sisters Woo Youngmi and Woo Janghee have created ManMade, a series of collaborations beyond clothes.
Alfred Sargent, a 100+ year old English shoemaker; Russian porcelain studio {far}4 and bag maker JoJo Messenger are amongst those partnered, each specialist is chosen to offer a product in the spirit of Wooyoungmi's lifestyle.
The objects are offered in tandem with an exhibition by artists Clemens Kraus and Lee Song at the label's Paris pop-up gallery on rue des Arquebusiers. We caught up with the designer siblings to learn more.
Dazed Digital: How did the project come about? Wooyoungmi: We wanted to share a more complete vision of the Wooyoungmi world, as well as creating a space entirely devoted to men. The ManMade lifestyle element strives to offer everything that the Wooyoungmi man might need throughout his day, but takes these ordinary objects to a luxury level through careful selection of brand partners, usually small expert producers. The gallery/event space extends our view on art as an essential part of everyday life and allows the customer to discover artists in a less formal or intimidating atmosphere. But it also allows us to host all kinds of cultural events that appeal to men and create an interactive and relaxed retail experience.
DD: What do you enjoy about collaborating? Wooyoungmi: For us collaboration is about working with people that are experts in a particular field, for example someone using specialist manufacturing, or artisanal production techniques. This allows us to bring our vision into the more rarified 'artisanal' and specialist world.
DD: What are some of your favourite products from this exhibition? Wooyoungmi: MM by C. Dellstrand folios – the C. Dellstrand aesthetic is very clean and minimal, so it wasn't obvious where a Wooyoungmi twist could be added without losing that. Itwas a very involved collaboration and a very open project; we think the end result speaks for itself. Also the MM by Jojo Messenger tool kit because it's what ManMade as a concept is about, elevating the everyday. As we're a men's concept store it makes sense that we'd want to elevate the most mundane of 'manly' tasks, DIY, into something enjoyable, beautiful and luxurious.
As a pendant to Nicola Formichetti's full-on fashion in the #Fantasia issue, we set out, guided by the superstylist, to meet some of the most exciting Tokyo design talent of the moment. Yuima Nakazato makes brutally futuristic menswear, famous for his holographic pieces. Though the designer tells us his next collection will be different. So keep an eye out.
Dazed Digital: Can you tell us when you launched your label? Yuima Nakazato: After my studies at Royal Academy of Antwerp, Ann Demeulemeester said: "Individuality should appear in a course, as well as in a creation". I started my label in my hometown of Tokyo, 2009.
DD: Who wears your clothes? Yuima Nakazato: Mainly youth but especially people who like fashion.
DD: What's your most famous design? Yuima Nakazato: The most famous designs are the hologram items (made from special material like a jewel/beetle). In my first collection there was a men's hologram dress and I've continued it up to now.
DD: What's the best moment in your career so far? Yuima Nakazato:When I see someone wearing my clothes.
DD: What are your hopes for the future? Yuima Nakazato:I want to express a richness of mentality in my work.
DD: What's your favourite thing about Nicola Formichetti? Yuima Nakazato:His creation stems from the fusion of two cultures, Japanese and Italian. This will continue to broaden the horizons of fashion.
