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Born in Osaka, Japan, Elie relocated after graduating from university to New York to begin a career as a freelance fashion writer. After spending four years there and contributing to Japanese media outlets, Elie moved to Paris in 2016. She now interviews designers and covers various fashion weeks across the globe.
Contributor: Adam Katz Sinding
I found myself in a state where I couldn't see the future or where I was heading, but I've reached the present with a "go with the flow" mentality. Even now, I don't dwell too much on where I'm going. I focus on the present moment, giving my all to what's in front of me, striving to meet the expectations of those who seek me, and being sincere to others. I believe that if I do these things, life will guide me in the right direction. If I hadn't had this lucky chance, perhaps I would have become a nurse in Japan, given that many in my family are in the medical field. I actually like nurse uniforms, so that option wouldn't have been too bad either. Basically, I'm just happy as long as I can dress in my favorite clothes every day.
Since my teenage years, I've enjoyed reading interviews with designers and deeply analyzed reviews of collections by fashion journalists. While there are many journalists out there, Vanessa Friedman from The New York Times and Kaname Murakami, the editor-in-chief of WWD JAPAN stand out for me. I've been continually impressed by their sharp perspectives and extensive knowledge in deciphering the current era through the filter of fashion. Additionally, I've been inspired by the unwavering professionalism of Kazufumi Otsuka, the deputy editor-in-chief of WWD JAPAN, as we've worked together as a team covering men's fashion weeks.
On the other hand, I've experienced working with someone whom I couldn't respect both as a person and in their approach to work. This person was always gossiping, judging, adjusting their attitude [to] others based on their titles and being concerned with status. Working with such a person not only made it difficult for me to find value in the work but also prevented me from performing at my best. Since then, I've made a conscious decision to only work with people I respect, and I'm currently living up to that decision. My greatest motivation in my work is seeing satisfaction in my work partners. When I work with someone I respect and trust, I find myself capable of pushing beyond my physical and mental limits, and perhaps this has contributed to shaping my career.
I don't consider my work to be creative. Instead, I feel I need to cultivate a more logical and analytical mindset. I’m naturally inclined towards rich sensitivity and imaginative thinking, so I read more to develop my ability to explain it in words than for creativity. This inclination stems from personal interest, where I delve into subjects seemingly unrelated to fashion, such as physics, quantum mechanics, psychology, and astronomy. Surprisingly, these diverse interests often unintentionally contribute to my work. Museums also serve as places that offer a variety of ideas, particularly exhibitions on Surrealism from the 1920s, which I always visit. Additionally, I enjoy taking walks in Luxembourg Gardens near my home, sitting on benches, and observing people. Of course, inspiration can also be found while traveling to different destinations.
Fashion is often said to be about self-expression, but recently, it seems to have shifted to being about self-affirmation. "Self-expression" is something done in relation to others or society, whereas "self-affirmation" is something done for oneself. It's about affirming and embracing oneself, saying "I am okay with this." With the pandemic causing a halt in our interactions with the outside world, our consciousness has turned inward, towards ourselves. I believe that such a shift in collective consciousness is also reflected in fashion. "Self-affirmation" is not narcissistic; rather, by affirming and loving oneself, it creates space in the heart, leading to greater tolerance towards others in a positive cycle.
Darrel Hunter delves into his journey into photography and discusses the roots of his passion and how he finds inspiration in his childhood memories.
Immerse yourself in our favorite street style looks outside FW 24 Paris Fashion Week.
As captured by Adam Katz Sinding, explore our favorite looks, where bold colors and subtle elegance graced the streets of Milan the FW 24 season.
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