Akira Isogawa, Fashion Designer, Akira
Accept who you are and who they are ...
To the outside, Akira Isogawa is one of Australia’s most successful fashion designers. Up close, however, he is a quiet, kind and gentle man, who regards his greatest success as always yet to come. A man of simple pleasures, he describes a glass of Champagne as a real indulgence, yet reveals a tumbler of gin and tonic is more of a regular treat. While Akira finds inspiration in travel and discovering new lands, his immense work ethic always draws him back to his studio in Sydney, keeping him enraptured in his work long into the night. He is currently working on a new collection, which is due to launch in February next year, bringing another season of soft, romantic silhouettes in natural silks and cottons to our wardrobes. The Weekend Edition caught up with Akira on his recent visit to Brisbane.
How do you like to start your weekend?
Weekends and weekdays are very similar for me, as I tend to work on weekends as well. So I’ll usually start my Saturday like any other day – I’ll get ready and catch the train to work at the studio.
What’s your favourite thing to do on a Saturday morning?
If I don’t have to work, I like to see friends and have a late breakfast together.
How do you like to unwind?
I like to wander and walk long distances. This could be somewhere nature orientated like a park. Or if I happen to be at home, I like to have a long shower to relax. I find a long shower really helps to refresh your mind.
What are your essentials for a well-spent weekend?
Because I often have to work on weekends, I like to make sure that my state of mind is at least not as full on as during the week. So even if I’m working, I’ll shift my state of mind so that I’m more relaxed.
What’s something you’ve been meaning to do on the weekend but haven’t got around to yet?
Cleaning the house and doing my laundry.
What’s your favourite thing to do on a Sunday evening?
In the evening, I normally think about what I need to do the following day to make sure I’m already prepared for work the next morning. I like to be organised and have my work bag packed.
What are you looking forward to next weekend?
I’m often away from home and I’ve just come back to Australia, so I don’t think I’ll be going anywhere else soon. I don’t have any plans for next weekend, which I like. I like having not too much planned.
What are you reading at the moment?
Over the last few weeks, my workload has been really intense. So when I think about reading, I think of all the emails I’ve been reading. I haven’t read a novel or a biography in quite a while.
What inspires you?
Travel definitely inspires me. I travel quite a lot, so I always take advantage of this time and use it as inspiration, whether through meeting new people or seeing new things. I’ve just spent a few days in Japan with my family, which was very inspiring.
What was your childhood dream?
I didn’t really have a great dream as a child. I just wanted to be as ordinary as possible. In Japan, people just study and then hope for a secure job that will help support them. I didn’t have any ambitions.
What has been your greatest achievement?
My work. I feel that coming to Australia and establishing myself in Sydney is an achievement, establishing my own label and opening shops. But I think that the greatest achievement is always yet to come.
What is success to you?
I think success is feeling content with and enjoying what you do every day. I don’t think it is necessarily just related to work, but it can also be related to your wellbeing. If you feel good about yourself, then you could say that you are successful. Right now, for me, work is a focus. So success is doing my best to generate happiness in my work environment, for myself and my staff. I think you should show appreciation to others for their contribution. You can’t do it all by yourself. All these things make you feel really happy and successful.
What are your words of wisdom?
Accept who you are and who they are. I also think it’s important that people listen carefully. Listening opens up your world.
FAVOURITE WEEKEND SPOT TO:
Perk up … I like to grab a coffee from a cafe on Foveaux Street in Surry Hills on the way to work
Relax … On a quiet beach or at the cinema
Dine … Golden Century in Chinatown, Sydney
Indulge … With a glass of Champagne with a friend at home
Shop … My grocer on Crown Street, Surry Hills
Catch-up … At a friend’s house
Be inspired … In Japan with my family or in Paris twice a year when I’m showing my collection
