Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to photograph Ichijiku, a luxury fashion brand based in Tokyo, for the spring issue of Violet Magazine.
Ichijiku specializes in transforming vintage kimono fabrics into contemporary, wearable pieces. Each of Ichijiku’s garments are unique, repurposed from hand-dyed or handwoven kimono (many of them 50 to 100 years old) and cut into modern silhouettes that honor both the material and its cultural roots. This element of sustainability is often rare in the fashion world and piqued my interest.
Ichijiku’s founder Aaron Mollin met me on site during the assignment. I was able to learn in depth about Ichijiku’s goals and ambitions. More, I was excited to be able to make some portraits of the driving force behind the brand. Aaron’s approach to design is deeply personal, his understanding of the materials, their origins, and their histories brings a rare depth to Ichijiku. Considering this, It was important to me that the portrait work felt as intentional and rooted as the clothing itself.
When photographing fashion and craftsmanship in Japan, I aim to highlight not just the aesthetics, but the choices behind them. In this case, that meant focusing on details: the texture of antique silk, the character of visible mending, the precise tailoring that turns traditional garments into something contemporary.
Shooting in the Ichijiku showroom allowed me to work closely with the garments and take my time, a luxury in editorial photography that mirrors the brand’s own commitment to slow fashion. Whether photographing in Tokyo or elsewhere, I’ve found that the most compelling fashion stories often come from brands like Ichijiku where there are interesting elemetns that extend beyond the garments. Ichijiku is a wonderful example of this.
In the end, I was pleased with the work and the imagery perfectly paired with Voilet’s needs.
If you’re a brand looking for a Tokyo-based photographer with experience in sustainable fashion and founder portraiture, I’d love to hear from you. If you’re simply curious about the ways fashion can carry culture forward, I highly recommend learning more about what Aaron Mollin and his team are creating at Ichijiku.
