Interview

WCombining the two.
Mr. Naoto Taki : TexStyleDepots inc.

TexStyleDepots provides information on textile trends, while organizing exhibitions of works by creators, one of which is the Takumi-ten, or Master’s Convention, a trade show where the focus is small-and medium-sized material manufacturers from around Japan and where high-quality materials come together. It is in fact a trade show that also acts as a producer in getting production areas and designers connected. Mr. Taki says, “We need to relook at our domestic production centers early.”

What is your frank opinion on domestic conventions of materials?
There are two ways to accentuate the characteristics of Japanese material manufacturers. One being the hi-tech materials bested by large businesses (synthetic fibre manufacturers), and the other being the way to bring out the flavour of the fabric itself. Our Takumi-ten closes up on the latter, searching for what designers and maison are looking for. We turn the subtle nuances and difficult refinement into merchandize, while getting connected with designers. This is the advantage of production centres.

The need to overcome drawbacks.
Objectively, the appealing qualities of our materials are not fully informed to our users (such as designers). As I said before, there are few ‘piping connectors’ to link production centres with designers so that neither can organize their information well. The production centres possess fantastic technologies not second to the rest of the world. Personally, I feel that the designers themselves should judge what materials to choose. In recent years imported materials are used first of all. The ideal relationship is between material manufacturers who propose techniques and advantage and designers who can get right to the materials. At some production centres, they’ve already begun employing young people with high sensitivity. Now is the time to change.