Visit Yoko Sakamoto at Tempo Design Store
When did the Yoko Sakamoto brand begin, and where is it based?
Yoko Sakamoto: The company was founded in January 2014 under the name Yoko Sakamoto and began presenting collections in 2016. The company is currently based in Tokyo.
How many people are in the company?
I have been working with my husband, but last year we had a baby. In March, a staff member joined us. Now the three of us are working on the collection.
How many small factories are working with the brand?
The total number of original fabric manufacturers and sewing factories, etc. is about 30.
Have the Yoko Sakamoto garments been mostly unisex since its inception?
Initially, we produced both women's and men's items, but only men's sizes were available because we only received offers from men's shops. However, some of the items were unisex. For example, women who liked men's clothes could buy a larger size, and gradually these items started to be placed in women's shops as well. Now, we have more men's size S items and gradually more items exclusively for women.
We are passionate about natural garments and natural dyes, has the Yoko Sakamoto brand always had an emphasis on producing natural clothing? What prompted you to continue to preserve these ancient Japanese traditions?
We have been dyeing our products with persimmon tannin and indigo since the beginning of the brand. We also prefer 100% cotton for our clothing, as it can be worn all year round. I've been thinking about why I like those things, and perhaps it's because there is no right answer. Even if I ask for a color to be dyed in a certain way, the temperature, humidity, dyes, drying time, and all other conditions are different depending on the craftsman. Therefore, there is no right answer, and I cannot aim for a color tone that comes out naturally. I am attracted to products with individual differences in the natural tints and unevenness of the dyeing process, which gives each piece a different atmosphere.
Could you share with us more information about the great natural pigment of persimmon tanning Kakishibu? It has many health benefits to the wearer.
The production factories we work with use 100% pure persimmon tannin solution for dyeing. This dye returns to the soil as it is made using only edible substances. This dyeing method does not burden the wearer's skin and tannin is known for its antibacterial, deodorizing, anti-odorising, and recently discovered anti-viral effects.
•
