designer q&a: kenzo minami

Kenzo Minami, originally from Hyogo, Japan, graduated from Parsons School of Design with a BFA in Product Design after majoring in Western Philosophy in Japan. Before he established himself as an artist / designer, he started his career as a set designer for TV broadcast networks, working with MTV, the Sci-Fi Channel and others. This lead to shooting his own shorts and TV spots, and working in broadcast as an art director, director, and motion graphic designer for 7 years.

When and how did you become interested in illustration and visual art?
When I was very little, at my father's die-cast metal factory, because there was nothing else to do. I also think that the fact that I grew up surrounded by metal parts my father's factory was producing, which was essentially a bunch of abstract shapes since they are different parts for larger whole of machinery or products, did have a huge influence and impact on me getting interested in and become visual person - considering that I grew up watching those different shapes and imagined how they all fit and function after they are packaged and shipped. Combined with the fact that my parents didn't really give me any pre-made toys, except Lego Blocks (this is Lego before they had too many pre-made, pre-molded specific shapes) and plastic models to build, I was bound to become someone who automatically start building things out of different parts in different shapes and colours.

What’s the most played song on your iPod?
Even though what I listen to is all over the place in genre, the most played song always come back to be one of the songs by Bob Dylan. At the moment, They are "Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll" and "One of Us Must Know", for some reasons.

How would you describe your personal style?
Old Fashioned, in a darker hue.

Describe your spring collection.
After the end, before the beginning.

Outside of art and fashion what inspires you?
Words.

What’s your favorite childhood movie?
Ghostbusters.

Must art have a relationship with fashion?
Within my understanding of definition of fashion, I think that it is bound to have some level of relationship.


View the Kenzo Minami collection in the store.

Visit the Kenzo Minami Website.