Wakubo Rei's Interview: Is It Harder To Open Up Shop In Beijing?

As the founder of Comme des Gar.ons, fashion One of the most influential figures in the world is Wakubo Rei, a perfectionist. She set up her own since 1969. brand Since then, she has strives to innovate every new product. Surprisingly, when Comme des Gar ons officially entered the Chinese market, she told reporters that this goal seemed to be getting harder and harder to complete.

What do you think of the exclusive stores in Beijing?

Wakubo Rei: in fact, the key is not in the shop itself. From my first visit to China, that was thirty or forty years ago. I have visited China many times in the past 15 years, and witnessed great changes in China. You can find almost all brands in the streets of Shanghai, Beijing. I really want to make some innovations, and I am glad to have the cooperation with I.T, a fashion brand gathering shop, in China. We can take this opportunity to try a new concept and a new way of expressing fashion.

Over the past 30 years, you have come to China many times. How do you think the changes have taken place between Chinese consumers and Chinese consumers during this period?

　　 Wakubo Rei First, the policy is more liberal. Nowadays, people are more willing to try new things and accept new ideas. More and more people are inspired to take part in all walks of life. Personally, I think China is completely different from before.

What do you think of Chinese dress styles?

Wakubo Rei: when I came here 10 years ago, I went to a small town, unlike many big cities. At that time, no one wore Comme des Gar? Ons. But now people's dress styles are more casual. Everyone used to wear a frock, but now there is no more.

How did you design your inspirations and ideas in your career?

Wakubo Rei: do you think there is any change? For me, it has not changed. Every year my design methods are the same, and goals always create unprecedented and new things. But as time goes on, the goal becomes more and more difficult. Once I have made some kind of design, I don't want to repeat it. So the difficulty of innovation has been improving.

At present, we have discussed that the retail and luxury market in Japan is very depressed. Do you think this situation will change? How can we attract consumers?

Wakubo Rei: due to the prevalence of "fast fashion" culture in today's fashion industry, the value of creation is decreasing, and expensive luxuries are often boring.

Is there any solution?

Wakubo Rei: Although I have always wanted to do something, I don't think the current situation is easy to change. This is a lofty ideal, and I do not have that ability. I did my best to make some changes, trying to wake people from this addiction, but it turned out that I have not succeeded so far.

Would you consider selling your company?

Wakubo Rei: I don't think anyone will buy it. In my career, I personally experience it, so it's hard to find someone to take the place of me. Do you think anyone wants to buy it?

How did you come up with the concept of retail and where did it start?

Wakubo Rei: first of all, I want to open a different store. Of course, in doing business, we must ensure that investment can be recovered in the shortest possible time. So, in terms of materials, I did not choose to be too expensive, so the price is reasonable. Like designing clothes, set the basic limits first, then try to innovate in this enclosure, and try to have a sense of humor.

Which new designer do you think is good at the moment?

Wakubo Rei: very few. Few people have the values of our generation and do their best. Not only in the fashion design industry, young people nowadays are too satisfied with their achievements and are not self disciplined, and their demands are not high enough.