Naoko Tosa SS25: “Sound of Ikebana”
Naoko Tosa is a multitalented artist. She works primarily with visual art fusing technology with Japanese culture. Naoko Tosa, from Fukuoka, Japan, creates art to show her passion for her cultural roots. Additionally, her art has appeared in a number of museums including the MoMA.
For this collection, she collaborated with Seiko Epson’s Digital Textile Dyeing Division. Also, the show was titled the “Sound of Ikebana.” Ikebana is a Japanese art form. It involves artfully placing leaves and flowers in a specific way. The art form is meant to exhibit an emotion to its audience. Naoko Tosa brought this theme to life in her SS25 collection.
The Collection
The collection included many vibrant prints and colors. The seasons, like spring and summer, were themes of the show. Similarly. floral and natural patterns appeared on a number of the garments. Look 1 exhibited a shining silk kimono with a gold print extending from its core. Certainly, the interpretation of the seasons depends on the viewer. However, the gold appears to represent rebirth and the glow of the sun.
Though the collection is for Spring/Summer 2025, Look 2 appears to be for the colder, winter months. The monochromatic color scheme of the prints creates a stark contrast. Additionally, the print itself mirrors the effect of shattered glass or ice. As a result, viewers of this look can feel a sense of darkness compared to the other pieces.
In addition, shape played a part in the collection. Look 7 was constructed with a transparent outer layer that stuck out from the dress. Specifically, this feature added shape to the look, and also showed Naoko Tosa’s exquisite craftsmanship. Indeed, it was artful how the golden print appeared on both the garment itself and the outer structure.
The inspiration from ikebana appeared consistently across Naoko Tosa’s looks. For instance, florals, like those printed on the garment in look 5, made appearances. Undoubtedly, Naoko Tosa took inspiration from Japan’s seasons for this collection. In addition, the printed garments moved with an ease similar to liquid.
Digital Inspiration
For inspiration, Naoko Tosa took from this video she created more than a decade ago. This digital piece of art was shot on an advanced camera that took 2,000 photo frames per second. Specifically, the 6 minute clip shows liquids like paint that move as a result from sound vibrations. In the collection, the movement of the pieces matched the flow of the liquids in the digital art.
“Sound of Ikebana” was more than a show, it combined digital art and fashion. Naoko Tosa utilized her decades of experience and passion for Japanese culture to create these wonderfully crafted pieces. This collection is an example of how fashion can represent a passionate love for nature and culture.
The featured image for this article is credited to Arun Nevader.