Sacai label founder revels in her freedom to collaborate with Nike, New York Times, and Dr Woo
- Japanese designer Chitose Abe, in Hong Kong to launch collaborative line with tattooist Dr Woo, says she enjoys being able to work with whoever she likes
- She hasn’t done a collaboration with husband Junichi Abe’s label Kolor, though
Early this year, Japanese designer Chitose Abe, founder of fashion label Sacai, unveiled an unexpected collaboration at her autumn-winter 2018 men’s show in Paris.
Surprising the fashion world, Abe had teamed up with The New York Times’ “Truth” campaign, which highlights the important role that journalists play in these troubled times. Items such as T-shirts and hoodies were emblazoned with slogans such as “Truth. It’s more important now than ever”.
Tokyo-based Abe is not new to collaborations. In her almost two-decade-long career as one of the world’s most respected designers, she has become a master at teaming up with others.
“For me it’s always something that I’m interested in,” she says when we meet her during a recent visit to Hong Kong.
Abe was in Hong Kong to launch yet another collaboration, this time with legendary Los Angeles-based tattoo artist Dr Woo, who has inked A-listers such as Drake and Miley Cyrus.
Accompanied by Dr Woo and Daisuke Gemma, her right-hand man, who also acts as her unofficial translator, Abe attributes her ability to come up with unusual partnerships to the freedom she has as the founder and owner of her brand, which is staunchly and proudly independent.