• Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Watches & Jewellery
  • Culture
  • SUSTAINABILITY
  • Female TV
  • #WHATTHEFEMALE
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Watches & Jewellery
  • Culture
  • SUSTAINABILITY
  • FemaleTV
  • #Whatthefemale
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
Subscribe Now!
  • Also available at:
Privacy Menu 1
  • About Us
  • Advertise with Us
  • Contact
  • Conditions of Access
  • PDPA
  • Privacy Policy
SPH Media

MCI (P) 047/10/2021. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No. 202120748H. Copyright © 2022 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.

  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Watches & Jewellery
  • Culture
  • SUSTAINABILITY
  • Female TV
  • #WHATTHEFEMALE

Fashion

Tomo Koizumi : A Fashion Fantasy Come True

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Fashion

Tomo Koizumi : A Fashion Fantasy Come True

With his fantastic, larger-than-life ruffled gowns and even more fantastic insta-success story, Tomo Koizumi is the designer we’ve all been waiting for

by Keng Yang Shuen   /   July 15, 2019

The Tomo Koizumi story is the stuff of modern-day fairy tales – albeit one made possible by the democratic virtues of social media, and that remains quite extraordinary. How he shot from a self-taught designer, unknown beyond his native Japan, to a globally viral fashion phenomenon has been widely documented. The British designer Giles Deacon had discovered his work on Instagram and shared it with his pal/superstar stylist Katie Grand. Some DMs later, and the 30-year-old Koizumi had his own show at New York F/W ’19 Fashion Week.

Marc Jacobs spared his Madison Avenue store for the venue; Guido Palau and Pat McGrath their directional hair and makeup skills. The models included Bella Hadid, Karen Elson and Game of Thrones actress Gwendoline Christie – a top-tier cast some established names can only dream about. Naturally, Grand – the go-to sorceress among heavyweights like Jacobs and Miuccia Prada for conjuring up trendsetting, indelible imagery – put every look together.

tomo
Put together by superstar stylist Katie Grand and with a star-studded model line-up, Koizumi’s Fall/Winter 2019 New York Fashion Week show happened all because Grand had fallen in love with his hand-sewn candy-coloured ruffled confections over Instagram.

Now, all that megawatt stardust gathering behind a newcomer seemingly spontaneously – Koizumi reportedly arrived in New York five days before showtime with his clothes packed into just three boxes – guaranteed fame. Every review that followed hailed him as a breakout star. Yet, even if Instagram and Grand had not intervened, the affable Tokyoite’s backstory is one of romance.

Arts – not fashion – trained, he has largely specialised in bespoke showpieces for pop stars and actresses back home; his influences running from John Galliano to Sailor Moon to plastic floral wreaths gifted at Japanese funerals. Yet, commercial success is not what he’s after.

“I make my clothes not for selling, just for showing what I can do,” he tells WWD. “It makes a difference. I think that’s why I get so much attention.” 

tomo

Then there are his momentous designs that feel like a Starburst-scented blast of fresh air in an increasingly pragmatic fashion scene: fluoro-hued gowns that resemble corporeal cotton candy, each a laborious assemblage of ruffles that Koizumi lovingly sees as “armour” for girls. Like in couture, a piece reportedly calls for an average of 50-80m of fabric, but because he uses polyester organza, it’s machine-washable and can be easily squished into a small ball (it explains his NYFW travel load).

The Tomo Koizumi story is a fashion fantasy come true in what, to some, has become a dystopic industry. “I want my next collection to be even bigger – bigger dresses and even more extravagant,” he says in an interview with the South China Morning Post. “I think the reason that Katie (Grand) invited me to do the show is that I’ve been following my dream, and I want to keep doing that.”

Related Articles

According To Miuccia Prada, Your Wardrobe Basics Should Look Like These

Style In Singapore: Guo Pei: Chinese Art & Couture Exhibition Preview

Longchamp x Nendo : A French Classic With A Japanese Twist

https://www.femalemag.com.sg/gallery/fashion/tomo-koizumi-a-fashion-fantasy-come-true/
Tomo Koizumi : A Fashion Fantasy Come True
Koizumi's Fall/Winter 2019 Fashion Week Show
image
Koizumi's Fall/Winter 2019 Fashion Week Show
image
Koizumi's Fall/Winter 2019 Fashion Week Show
image
Koizumi's Fall/Winter 2019 Fashion Week Show
image
Koizumi's Fall/Winter 2019 Fashion Week Show
image
  • TAGS:
  • fall/winter 2019
  • giles deacon
  • japanese designer
  • katie grand
  • marc jacobs
  • new york
  • tomo koizumi
SHARE THIS ON

Trending

Fashion

Enjoy A Slice Of Paris At The Monde d’Hermes Kiosk Pop-Up

Fashion

Every Day Will Feel Like A Holiday With These Raffia Bags. Sorta.

Fashion

Yes, Those Marni X Uniqlo Rumours Are Real

Fashion

A Second Louis Vuitton And Yayoi Kusama Collaboration Is Coming Your Way

Fashion

Something New, Something Blue: Gucci Revives Its Blue GG Canvas From The '70s

Fashion

How To Remain Fashionable And Shop Sustainably Beyond Earth Day

Fashion

Adidas And Gucci Are Launching A First Drop Of Their Collab

Fashion

These Gen-Zers Are Sharing The Gift Of Thrift

Fashion

Your Lowdown On The Louis Vuitton x Nike "Air Force 1" Drop

Fashion

These Chanel Accessories Come In A Yummy Colour Palette

Fashion

The Kardashians Rolled Out The Dolce & Gabbana Fits For Kourtney's Italian Wedding Celebrations

Fashion

A Stubborn Bloom: Understanding Singaporean Life Through Fashion

Sponsored Highlights
  • Beauty Skin Vitality: Nº1 De Chanel’s Next-Gen Approach To Anti-Ageing
  • Watches & Jewellery The Stacking Game Of The Tiffany HardWear Collection Is Pretty Major
Editor’s Picks
  • Fashion Enjoy A Slice Of Paris At The Monde d’Hermes Kiosk Pop-Up
  • Fashion Every Day Will Feel Like A Holiday With These Raffia Bags. Sorta.
  • Fashion Yes, Those Marni X Uniqlo Rumours Are Real
  • Fashion A Second Louis Vuitton And Yayoi Kusama Collaboration Is Coming Your Way
  • Fashion Something New, Something Blue: Gucci Revives Its Blue GG Canvas From The '70s
  • Fashion How To Remain Fashionable And Shop Sustainably Beyond Earth Day
Female Newsletter
Sign up for one of our free newsletters to receive the latest news, commentary and fashion features straight from FEMALE.

By signing up, you indicate that you have read and agreed with our Privacy Statement
Footer Menu
  • About Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Conditions of Access
  • PDPA
  • Privacy Policy
?>
SPH Media

MCI (P) 047/10/2021. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No. 202120748H. Copyright © 2022 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.