“ Don’t cheat or rush put your time and effort in to receive what you deserve”, Kiki Ito
Noblivity Spotlights Emerging Designer Kiki Ito
Company/Designer Name: KIKI London / Kiki Ito
Designer Background Summary:
I am from Japan originally but spent 6 years from the age of 18 in Southern California before returning to Japan where I began my training in handbag design and manufacture. This was continued in London, where I now live, at the London College of Fashion. Following that I spent time enhancing my skills by working with a London based designer and a high quality leather goods manufacture that I work with closely today.
How did you get started?
I was always into design as my family are involved in various design fields. My dad is a landscape architect in Japan and my brother and sister are also designers. I was initially interested in Interior and furniture design and I still don’t know why handbags caught my attention but I remember that something just clicked. That was six years ago and I am now at the stage where I am ready to launch my first collection.
What inspires your designs?
I get inspiration from many different things. I’ve always loved architecture, interior and furniture design. By living in London luckily I get to see many beautiful things and inspiration is everywhere. But I guess if you are in the right mood anything can inspire you just like sometimes nothing comes no matter how much you try.
How would you describe your design style, design signatures and who is your targeted customer?
My design style could be best described as a fusion of East and West. For example my favorite period in Japanese history is called the Meiji Period (1868-1912) which was best known for when Japan embraced the West and a fusion of different worlds began. Fashion, architecture, design and contemporary culture, both from the East and the West, are all starting points for my inspiration. I think it is the way I translate with Japanese qualities such as balance, simplicity, quality, and joy that sets my work apart. I am not targeting a specific age group, any one could like my designs, but I imagine they would appeal more to the over 25′s.
What designers inspire you?
I like Prada, Valentino, Ralf Lauren, Charles and Ray Eames, Ron Arad, Tadao Ando, Frank Lloyd Wright and of course my dad.
What obstacles did you have to overcome?
As this is my first collection and I am in a middle of pretty big obstacle right now. Breaking into the industry.
How did you overcome them? I’m still trying…….
What has been your greatest moment on your journey so far?
When I finally realized that this is what I wanted to do and what I would be good at. Also now when I receive compliments from customers that is great!
What has been the biggest change in your designs so far?
It’s a bit early for me to answer this question but I guess if anything has changed it is that my design is have moved on from being quite high level and conceptual to being more balanced and functional. It’s all relative though they are hardly rucksacks!
If money were no object what would you do right now?
This is what I love doing so I would simply spend it where I needed to for the business to take off and succeed.
What are the best and worst things about being a designer?
As long as I’m doing what I love for a job there is nothing better than that. Anyway you need ups and downs to keep things interesting.
Describe your typical day?
Every day is different but I start the morning with a nice cup of tea (English style) which puts me in a good mood until I check the weather and see it’s gray again(obviously)……I leave at 8 for work and do what I have to do for the day!
What’s your philosophy of life? Nothing is easy but nothing is impossible. Don’t cheat or rush put your time and effort in to receive what you deserve.
If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently? There haven’t been any disasters yet and every hard time has taught me something so I wouldn’t change anything.
When will you know you have made it? I would like to answer that question when I know.
The Kiki London Collection is available at The MarketPlace Noblivity.com
