Akira Isogawa + Designer Rugs

Akira Isogawa showed his first individual catwalk show in New Zealand, alongside a showcase of his colab with Designer Rugs at a stunning event at The Nathan Club…

Akira Isogawa showed his first individual catwalk show in New Zealand, alongside a showcase of his colab with Designer Rugs at a stunning event at The Nathan Club on Wednesday 7th November in association with Rolls Royce.

As we walked up the black carpet past a Rolls Royce parked outside the Britomart venue, it was clear this was an elite event – and indeed, it was like a few things in one: attending an art gallery opening, followed by a fashion interview, then being ushered into an adjoining space for the seated runway show.

Petra Bagust- wearing a cream and grey Akira Isogawa dress – was MC and interviewed Akira. The Japanese designer moved to Australia when he was 22 and has lived and worked there for 26 years, drawing upon inspiration from textiles such as those he finds in Kyoto temple street markets. Thus, he named his rug collaboration ‘Hirameki’, Japanese for inspiration, and the ‘floor art’ will be available exclusively from Designer Rugs in Parnell, Auckland. The prices will vary per piece depending on the fabrication of materials in each (bamboo and wool fibres).

The show itself took my breath away. I haven’t seen photos of it from Australian Fashion Week, so I didn’t really know what to expect, and I was completely awed. It is the best thing I’ve seen in ages; clever tailoring, pops of colour, textures that give volume to the body and play with proportion, and of course the famous Japanese-inspired prints. Hair was pulled back and twisted at the nape of the neck, created by L’Oreal Professionel and make-up was a soft, fresh face by M.A.C.

Akira said the rugs are very intimate compared to clothes which one can hang up in the wardrobe and not look at for months – the rugs you have to live with. I imagine living with both his clothes and his rugs would be pretty easy to take. ‘Inspiration’ is definitely the word for it – I came away feeling quite inspired, and moved from the sheer beauty.

Words Megan Robinson 8 November
Photography Kevin Robinson