Kyoto 2012

Working with Mr.Izukura was one of those life-changing moments, where you feel like a part of your brain suddenly wakes up, and places you thought were empty begins to fill in. Being in several fashion communities through out the years, I've seen many beautiful things. But somewhere in my heart, there was this constant emptiness and a quiet dislike growing inside of me. To me, this craft was so much more than just dressing people. I wanted to tell people a story, make someone feel good about themselves and the vessel they live in, and how fashion is not just skin deep. There is so much more to it if only more people gave them the meaning that it deserved. I played the game and danced the dance, but I never fully understood mass production, money, the economy, or how to "sell". The further I got into fashion, the more I had to submerge myself into this deafening pool. 

When I met Mr. Izukura, I had no past experience with the world of fiber arts. I felt like I was on the right path, and convinced that someday it will all be okay. My head was filled with business plans, spec sheets, and how I was going to do this or that on photoshop. 

My life started to change and the emptiness began to fill the moment I stuck my hand in a bucket full of rainwater and indigo leaves. I saw the colors seep out and blend with the sky. I cried every morning when I babysat 10,000 silk worms, because a few of them would die everyday. My life transformed while I watched the silkworms spin for hours, their heads bobbing in an infinity sign. I watched the moths fall in love for a few days and die. Such a short life, but they have accomplished their mission. 

I ended my journey to move to New York by spinning myself a cocoon. I used the unspun cocoons and spun it around a form. It took months to complete, but through the process I created myself the safest spot, something only for me, somewhere I can always come home to. I hope everyone can find that thing that fills your empty spots.

Here are some photos from his atelier in Kyoto.

Kyoto is one of my favorite cities in the world.

Akihiko Izukura's World: Nature and Man. Color, Thread, & Form

I first met Izukura sensei during my last semester at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. I was so busy doing my graduation collection, but his work interested me enough to try to work with him now that I have more time. With Paula Rath's gracious recommendation, I was able to become his apprentice, assisting his work here in Hawaii. These photos are from my first week of work.

Paula's beautiful home, where Izukura sensei worked. 

We made lunch everyday.

His studio in upper Nu'uanu.

Dying silk worm cocoons. 

He crushes them and stick them around objects. The natural protein acts like a glue and after being dried, the object can be extracted, leaving a hollow art object. 

spreading cocoon.

left is hibiscus, right is blueberries. 

Hawaiian Indigo

blueberries, hibiscus, turmeric

My usual workplace.

hibiscus

Hawaiian indigo

top and left fabric - indigo
right - blueberries

From making the fabrics from silk worm cocoons, and growing the silk worms for the cocoons, everything was a natural process. Dying the fabrics was stress free, because nature takes control and you're only there to assist. Every imperfection seems beautiful, just like how your imperfections and mine makes us the perfect imperfections in mother nature's eyes. 

"I am always looking to go back to my organic state. "

Schedule:

1st week of August: Big Island - Picking Indigo leaves and setting up the silk worms.

Every 1st week of September through September of 2013: Honolulu - Assisting @ Academy of Arts Workshop.

Mid October 2012: Tokyo - Tokyo Fashion Week

November: Yokohama & Kyoto - Visiting Izukura sensei's Atelier

Busy!