WHO: AKIRA ISOGAWA
WHAT: FASHION DESIGNER
WHERE: SYDNEY
VISIT: www.akira.com.au
FFF LOVES… his simplistic and unique approach to design. His pieces are modern, must-have classics.
AKIRA’S LIST:
EAT: Sean’s Panarama, Sydney. Best known for his fresh and organic dishes.
EAT: Tetsuyas, Sydney. Fine Japanese dining.
EAT: Kunitoraya, Paris for its Tempura Udon.
EAT: Angelina, 226, Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, tel +33 1 42 60 82 00. For sweets.
PAMPER: Hammam de la Mosquée, Paris.
(FFF note: The Hammam de la Mosquée features traditional Hammam steam baths for soothing and relaxation … perfect pick-me-up for post plane jet lag. If you become so relaxed you can’t possibly face moving, slink into the restaurant or Salon de thé to continue your Orient experience).
SHOP: Comme des Garçons, Aoyama 5-2-1 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku. Tokyo 107-0062.
SHOP: Le Claireur, Paris.
SHOP: Tenjin-San: Flea-market in Kyoto.
STAY: Taj Mahal Palace & Tower Hotel, Mumbai.
About Akira:
Akira Isogawa is one of Australia’s most celebrated designers. He has achieved international recognition for his much-sought after contemporary designs. Since 1998, Akira has shown his collections in Paris, where he presents Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter collections to international buyers each year. Akira continues to maintain a strong presence in Sydney, where he has shown collections at Mercedes Australian Fashion Week every year since 1996. For the past decade the Akira boutique in Sydney has built a strong clientele spanning Australia’s most successful and beautiful women. In 1999, Akira was named Designer of the Year and Womenswear Designer of the Year at the Australian Fashion Industry Awards. In 2005 he was honoured by Australia Post and named an Australian Legend – his image appearing on a commemorative postage stamp. Also in 2005 he was awarded Prix De Marie Claire Best Australian Designer. In 2006 Akira received the Award for Fashion Excellence at the National Retail Association Fashion Design Awards. Akira’s work has been fondly embraced by the Australian arts sector. In 2004/05 Akira Isogawa: Printemps Été opened at the National Gallery of Victoria – the first solo fashion and textiles exhibition by an Australian fashion designer to be presented at a major national or state institution (and still currently on tour in Asia). In 2003 Sydney Festival staged an exhibition of his garment construction techniques at Object Gallery, creating the most successful show in the gallery’s history. Akira has also been invited to exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art and twice has been included in the Powerhouse Museum’s Fashion of the Year retrospective.