Bird-witched

Masaya Kushino

Collection S/S 2014

Inspired by the traditional drawings of bird artist Jakuchu Ito (died in 1800). The collection is titled ‘Bird-witched’, which comes from the words bird and bewitched put together. In order to make Itoโ€™s madness come to life. Kyotoโ€™s nishijin-ori (traditional woven textiles usually for kimono) artisans at Hosou helped me weaving the patterns over and over again, until it was just right.

The feathers of Itoโ€™s birds are beautifully complicated, and here theyโ€™re given depth in color and added shine for a 3D-like effect. The claw heels are made by sculptor Atsushi Nakamura. He gave them a sense of movement as if they would begin to walk at any moment, and he crafted a completely different leg design according to each shoeโ€™s personality. The dyed feathers give the colors more depth and change depending on the angle theyโ€™re looked at. This expression of a bird that transforms into shoes is how Iโ€™ve given back life to the birds that Ito drew so long ago.

ยฉ Masaya Kushino


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