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- 1. Our website uses cookies to improve your user experience. If you continue browsing, we assume that you consent to our use of cookies. More information can be found in our Privacy & Cookies Policy. × Interview Fashion and Beauty Monitor’s International Editor Laura Hinttula caught up with every street style photographer’s dream, Fashion Writer and Consultant Yu Masui, ahead of this month’s London Fashion Week. They discussed creative London talent, street style and that time Yu fell into the water- filled runway at Hunter Original. You are a Fashion Writer, Consultant and Blogger. Tell us about your background. What are you working on at the moment? My fashion career started as shop staff then later on a buyer at the legendary concept store The Pineal Eye in London. After leaving The Pineal Eye I was involved with several projects as a freelance buyer in Japan and the UK. Then I decided to move on to a writing career. I studied at London College of Fashion to follow my childhood dream of becoming a fashion journalist. Now I am working with leading Japanese publications and websites such as Spur, Soen, Senken Shimbun newspaper and Fashionsnap.com. To be honest I haven't been able to update my blog as I have been pretty busy with my writing job but will start it again soon. I also post daily on Instagram to over 45,800 followers! You’re a permanent fixture of London Fashion Week and every street style photographer’s dream. How does an outfit come together? I often get asked who my style icon is but there is no such thing. I just put garments together from how it comes up in my head. I’m sometimes inspired by a film, TV, manga or historical elements so I may look like I’m wearing a costume. But - here is the big difference between Yu Masui and others wearing extraordinary outfits at fashion weeks - all of my garments are designers' creations, not handmade or from costume shops. I am wearing fashion not costume! Also, another important thing about what I wear is that I love wearing emerging talents’ designs to support them. I think this ‘street style’ movement is amazing because just wearing garments can be a big support for designers. Describe your style? Hard to say... It is just Yu Masui... But wearing designers' collections the funniest way! To be honest it is so easy to wear clothes in a ‘cool’ way. I’d rather dress ridiculously as it’s more fun, even some people might laugh at me! What spring/summer 2015 looks are you most looking forward to wearing? The 90s trend is always exciting as 90s was my teenage time and I had so much fun then! I also find the ‘90s retro revival’ more interesting than just the ‘retro’ trend, like Topman's Brit pop theme. Designer wise I have a few new designers I'd love to wear. Who’s your style icon? Related to thisinterview Fashion Writer And Consultant Yu Masui: Every Street Style Photographer’s Dream Journalism Awards News Jobs Sign up Login Introducing Premier Model Management’s Doug Interview, LondonFashionWeek 2m Hannah Almassi: From Fashion Design To Taking Grazia Digital Interview, LondonFashionWeek 2m The Rise Of Julia Sarr-Jamois Interview, LondonFashionWeek 2m Kathy Phillips: Creating Beauty In Vogue Interview, LondonFashionWeek 2m Kat Irlin: Instagram SnappingsAnd Fashion Happenings Interview, LondonFashionWeek 2m Lisa Potter-Dixon: Brow Power And Lipstick Eyeshadow Interview, LondonFashionWeek 2m Orla Kiely: Queen Of Prints Interview, LondonFashionWeek 2m Ryan Lo: Fairytale, Fantasy And Refining HisRomantic Signature Interview, LondonFashionWeek 2m Sandeep Jandu: Blow DriesAnd The Beauty Lounge Interview, LondonFashionWeek 2m converted by Web2PDFConvert.com
- 2. As I said no one! I am who I am. Describe London as a fashion capital in 3 words? New, original, creative. What would you say are the biggest differences between the main 4 fashion capitals? Emerging talents... London is definitely the city where new trends and new talents are born. There is no city like this in the world. I think it is because of the high quality fashion education and new designer support which bring more creative youngsters who create new street trends to London. And these street trends are very important in even luxe fashion business at the moment. Who are your favourite London Fashion Week designers and why? Hard to say as there are so many! I love and respect many of them. Obviously J.W. Anderson. Not only do I love what he creates but also because I’ve known him from the very beginning of his designer career. So I want to see how he goes on! And Christopher Kane. His business is at a very interesting point as a proper bag line was launched and more shoes are introduced both in men’s and women's. Also the first flagship store is opening in March. I’d also mention SIBLING for pushing the boundaries of knitwear and elevating to next level! Also, Fashion East is one of my all-time favourites as it always introduces and supports new talents, therefore I think it is one of the most important shows at LFW. Which emerging London designers would you mention and what makes you pick these? Oh no! There are so many.. Nasir Mazhar - he brought totally new style of street fashion to luxe market. Thomas Tait - winning the LVMH Prize gives his idea more opportunity to be real garments. Marques'Almeida - they are getting better and better every season. And Ashley Williams – I love her sense but also the celeb support she gets is very interesting. What has been your most memorable London Fashion Week experience? I fell into the water-filled runway in front of everyone at the very first catwalk show of Hunter Original. It was dark and I didn't realise there was water. I tried to avoid TV crew interviewing a celeb and stepped actually into the runway. I was wearing brand new Louboutins that day! Lol well I have more embarrassing fashion week moments... What do you make of the increasing celebrity presence on front rows? I think celebrity appearance is great support to designers and industry. However fashion shows are industry events so press and buyers should get certain respect at the same time as celebs. Especially as buyers are the ones paying money! What are your must-see places when you’re in London? Umm.. Defo Selfridges as my friend Tiffany Hsu plays an amazing buyer role there. Actually her fashion is a must-see during LFW! You divide your time between Japan and London. How do Tokyo and London differ as fashion capitals? Both cities have similarity as creativity. It is not only designers but how we style outfits. The difference is Japanese play it safe these days after economic downturn. Everyone dressed more creatively and adventurously back in 90s and early 2000. Designer wise menswear is strong in Japan as more names are becoming international like White Mountaineering who collaborated with Barbour and presented their collection in Paris for the first time. However I think Japanese womenswear designers are going through a bit of a tough time because they work on concept and fabrication a lot but international market is not up for heavy clothes at the moment. Also there is a lack of accessory designers. Streetwear is performing well though. Another difference is that the end of the day Japan is an island in far east. They have own trends and don't follow international trends as much as London. What city inspires you the most and why? Hard to say.. every city I visited last year inspired me a lot.. London, Paris, Florence, Copenhagen, Istanbul, Taipei, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok. Each city has exciting new talents Suzy MenkesOn Making It ‘SING’ Interview, LondonFashionWeek 2m converted by Web2PDFConvert.com
- 3. and creations. However, it is always fun to explore new fashion cities in Asia like Bangkok. @yu1129 @yumasui 0LikeLike Copyright ©2015Centaur Communications Ltd. Terms &Conditions | Privacy | Contact Us FashionandBeauty Monitor is part of Centaur MediaPlc converted by Web2PDFConvert.com