Kozaburo Akasaka
Kozaburo Akasaka | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1984 (age 40–41) |
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Education | Central Saint Martins (BFA), Parsons School of Design (MFA) |
| Occupation | Fashion designer |
| Years active | 2011–present |
Kozaburo Akasaka (born 1984) is a Japanese‐born fashion designer and founder of the label Kozaburo. He is recognized for blending Japanese craftsmanship and Western tailoring.
Early life and education
Akasaka was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan, and initially studied philosophy at Toyo University.[1] He later earned a First-Class BFA in Menswear from Central Saint Martins in 2011,[2] and completed an MFA in Fashion Design at Parsons School of Design in 2016.[3][4]
Career
Akasaka began his career working under Thom Browne in New York.[1][5]
Kozaburo label (2011–present)
He launched his own label, Kozaburo, in 2011 following graduation.[2] Known for an aesthetic that fuses Eastern philosophy and Western silhouettes through techniques like sakiori weaving, sashiko stitching, and upcycling, Akasaka explores themes of "Mottainai" and Americana.[6][7]
Collaborations & recent work
Akasaka has worked with brands such as Wrangler, Vibram, Snow Peak, and collaborated on sustainability-driven projects like cycora® for SS2024.[6][8]
Design philosophy
Akasaka describes his work as a dialogue between Eastern spirituality and Western formality, presenting garments that celebrate imperfection, sustainability, and tradition merged with modernity.[5][7][6]
Personal life
Akosaka is based in New York and frequently travels between Tokyo, New York, and Japan for production and runway presentations.
Awards & recognition
- LVMH Special Prize, 2017[3]
- CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalist, 2023[5][6]
References
- ^ a b "Kozaburo Akasaka". Rakuten Fashion Week TOKYO. Retrieved 2025-07-04.
- ^ a b "Kozaburo". SHOWstudio. Retrieved 2025-07-04.
- ^ a b "Kozaburo". LVMH Prize. Retrieved 2025-07-04.
- ^ "Kozaburo Akasaka – LinkedIn". LinkedIn. Retrieved 2025-07-04.
- ^ a b c "Kozaburo Talks Building His Budding Menswear Label". CFDA. Retrieved 2025-07-04.
- ^ a b c d "Blending High Fashion and Street Culture". IROHA. Retrieved 2025-07-04.
- ^ a b "Kozaburo Is the Menswear Brand Pushing Back Against the High-Speed Fashion System". Vogue. 2017-04-05. Retrieved 2025-07-04.
- ^ "Kozaburo: East meets West". Cycora. Retrieved 2025-07-04.