This
year, IOFT Show Management has a number of fantastic news to announce. I think
we’ve already reported a lot, but we have more! I’m so excited, just thinking
about those things. Of course this time, we will introduce a topic which may
urge you to come to IOFT soon.
Then, let
us begin!
Interviewees:
His
eyewear brings out the beauty of women maximally just like using magic.
Mr. Akihito Kawakami, Designer, FLEYE by AKITTO
and
The person who perused the comfortableness of wearing eyewear.
Mr. Tetsuo Mikame, Managing Director, Throw Co., Ltd.
Interviewer: Haruka, International PR, IOFT Show Management
Haruka:
First, could you introduce us “FLEYE by AKITTO” to the readers?
Mr.
Kawakami (FLEYE by AKITTO):
 |
| [Mr.Kawakami] |
This
brand originally comes from a Danish brand “FLEYE”. In 2002, the three CEOs,
Annette, Hanna and Lars founded the brand and the brand was named after an abbreviation
of “Fine Looking Eye”. Its concept is light, happy and enjoyable eyewear which
makes us cheerful. We release happy collections for wearers.
I myself
have worked at retail shop handling FLEYE brand before. I have kept company
with members of FLEYE since before they founded the brand, namely, for more
than 13 years. After that, I joined as a sales staff as well as designer of
another brand “FLEYE by AKITTO “ in 2008.
The
concept of FLEYE by AKITTO is being particular about details and using lovely
motif just like handmade work. The design is like a delicate and brilliant
accessory decorated with colorful Swarovski stones or cloisonné and it makes
mature women look beautiful and cute.
Haruka:
The frames
of AKITTO seem to be produced by research on faces of Asian, especially
Japanese women and their preference. I haven’t seen such a coloring or decoration
which makes Asian skin color look attractive. By the way, I think you have
worked by yourself as FLEYE by AKITTO until now. Why
did you decide to collaborate with Mr. Mikame?
Mr. Kawakami:
In fact, I met Mr.Mikame three times by chance and at the third
time, he asked me to tea. That was the first time to talk with him. After that,
I sometimes got in touch with him and I asked him lots of things, since he is
an expert I respect for long time and I wanted to absorb information about the
way of making eyewear and conducting business in eyewear industry, etc. as much
as possible.
At that
time, I didn’t take priority over comfortableness of wearing eyewear, although
I think it’s better if people can feel comfortable in wearing it. I valued
rather visual aspect like how eyewear looks lovely. As in shoes, that is high
heels which make women’s legs beautiful, as it’s hard to walk with them.
However, after meeting and talking with him about
the comfortableness of wearing eyewear, I began to think that it’s rude for
retail shops as well as consumers to not improve it. But I didn’t have enough
knowledge. I didn’t even know what kind of β titaniums there are. What’s more, I
thought it’s usual to commit the detailed manufacturing method or choices of
materials to factory staffs.
Mr. Mikame:
 |
| [Mr. Mikame] |
I discussed with Mr. Kawakami and we
came to the conclusion that we can produce better eyewear with sufficient
knowledge equivalent to those of factory staffs, as we could work hard together
by sharing the knowledge. As you know, he is producing eyewear which makes
women look beautiful. But I think he could provide more ranges in his taste. So
I told him that it might be important to value comfortableness of wearing
eyewear so that his brand could keep active in the future.
During the conversation, we exchanged
ideas a lot each other and naturally we decided to collaborate. LoL.
The finished eyewear is not so outstanding. People
might say “what is the characteristic of Mikame‘s Collaboration?”. Because I
just put a plate in it.
Mr. Kawakami:
Right, some people might say something like “Hmm….I
see”. But we made various tricks and contrivances in the process of completing
the model and we couldn’t complete it without Mr. Mikame’s knowledge.
Mr. Mikame:
Well, I made a lot of failures in producing eyewear up
to the present.
Mr. Kawakami:
For me, it’s so valuable experience to hear the
story of failures. However, after we made a decision to collaborate, I got into
slump which I’ve never experienced when I tried to design a collaboration
model.
I asked him about it, then, he said, “You can make
whatever model you want! It’s too early to design like me.” LOL. After that, I
changed my mind and I began to think it would be nice if I could make a model
as I want and I could introduce a part of an element of Mr. Mikame in my
designed model.
Mr. Mikame:
My theme was how I could change something in the
model Mr. Kawakami designed without changing AKITTO’s design and feeling that
something wrong with it.
Haruka:
I see. I really want to see the completed model
soon!
By the way, what kind of shop do you want your collaboration
model to be handled?
Mr Kawakami.
For people who are looking for eccentric or novel
eyewear, AKITTO may not fit. That is to say, I intended to produce eyewear
which makes women beautiful and attractive, not eccentric.
We’d like buyers from retail shops to see the eyewear
from the stand point of what beauty is.
As a result, if you think “But, I don’t like the
taste of AKITTO!” it’s no problem.
Now, some shops may consider how they can survive in
the eyewear market and collect only novel eyewear which other shops don’t
handle. I think, however, it is no sense, since the shops seem to be just very
strange.
I would like people just to think purely how you can
make wearers look beautiful. If you think in such a way and you can feel that AKKITO
eyewear will fit your shopconcept well, I really want to start business with
you.
I will never say, “My eyewear is beautiful, so
please buy it”. If YOU think my eyewear is beautiful and want to buy it, it’s
pleasure to sell my eyewear to you!
Haruka:
I see. Since eyewear takes the most part of our
faces, people, especially women, don’t feel like buying it just because they
are praised “it’s so rare!” or “it’s quite new!” We just like to look beautiful
or cute.
Mr. Kawakami:
Honestly, we could produce a good eyewear this time.
The eyewear is accepted by the wearer who use my brand’s eyewear regularly and
also it will be comfortable to wear. Besides, we didn’t make a fun in producing
it. So I think it’s really good eyewear. On the other hand, I keep my design
and decoration in it. Despite I collaborate with Mr. Mikame, it’s not just like
the eyewear he designs. I’m sure you will like it!
Haruka:
Thank you very much, Mr. Kawakami and Mr. Mikame!
I’m completely satisfied to hear your story. Haven’t
you made a sample yet, have you?
I can’t wait to see it!
[Editor’s Note]
This time, we featured two designers, Mr. Kawakami
from FLEYE
by AKITTO whose eyewear is famous for the good design making women look more beautiful
and Mr. Mikame who produces ultimately comfortable eyewear. We’ve heard their collaborated
eyewear will be presented at IOFT and interviewed them. Both of them have a
same mind to make a “good eyewear”, but their definition what is the good
eyewear is totally different. I think that’s why two essences are combined well
and the better eyewear could be produced. I understand that the eyewear we
usually use unintentionally is made up of lots of experiences and knowledge of
designers and passions for eyewear. The interview gave me a glimpse of the
various untold dramas in producing a pair of glasses. That’ was an awesome
moment!
*IOFT2011 is NOT open to general public. Those under 18 years old are not allowed to enter the show.
● EOY 2012 Official HP >>>CLICK HERE
● Be our FAN on Facebook Fanpage! >>> CLICK HERE
● IOFT2011 Official HP>>> CLICK HERE
● Information Request on Exhibiting IOFT 2011>>> CLICK HERE
● Invitation Ticket Request for IOFT 2011 >>> CLICK HERE
