Fashion is an art form where boundaries are meant to be redefined, and Yoshiyuki Miyamae is a designer who truly embodies this spirit. As the design director at A-POC ABLE ISSEY MIYAKE, Miyamae has been pivotal in advancing the legacy of A-POC, a groundbreaking concept created by Issey Miyake. Since joining Miyake Design Studio in 2001, he has woven technology seamlessly into textile design, pioneering new approaches that merge the creative and the computational. Over the years, he has expanded his portfolio with innovative projects like ISSEY MIYAKE and TADANORI YOKOO ISSEY MIYAKE.
At SIGGRAPH Asia 2024 in Tokyo, Miyamae will delve into his experiences, offering insights into how fashion and technology coalesce to create timeless designs. Audiences can expect to be inspired by his journey, his collaborative process, and his vision for the future of textile creation.
Ahead of his highly anticipated keynote session in Tokyo, we had the chance to speak with Yoshiyuki Miyamae about his journey and the unique insights he’ll be sharing. If you haven’t registered for SIGGRAPH Asia 2024 yet, now’s the time! Click here for more details and secure your spot today.
SIGGRAPH Asia: Could you give us a little teaser of what you will be speaking about and sharing at SIGGRAPH Asia 2024 this December in Tokyo?
Yoshiyuki Miyamae (YM): I give you two topics as a teaser which I plan to speak about.
One is the future possibility of “a piece of cloth” concept that was initiated by Mr. Issey Miyake and has been carried on by his original brands including A-POC ABLE ISSEY MIYAKE. The other is the relationship between the computer technology and our textile creation.
SIGGRAPH Asia: You’ve been deeply involved with A-POC since its inception. How has the concept of “A Piece of Cloth” evolved in your work over the years, and how do you continue to push its boundaries?
YM: The concept has evolved together with the advancement of the computer technology. A-POC cannot be separated from the computer technology. In order to widen the possibilities of A-POC’s making things, I hope to collaborate with people of different areas including the computer technology.
SIGGRAPH Asia: Fashion and technology are closely intertwined in your work. What excites you most about the intersection of design and emerging technologies like AI and digital fabrication?
YM: I find that the computer technology can bring beauty to design, the kind of beauty which is not yet visible. I also find it interesting that the computer technology can give us new discoveries beyond our realm of design.
SIGGRAPH Asia: Collaboration is a key element in your creative process. Can you share an example of how working with professionals from different disciplines has influenced your recent designs?
YM: If I give you one example, it’s the collaboration with Nature Architects. We have been able to take a totally new approach to making things by the integration of Nature Architects’ “metamaterials” into the A-POC system.
SIGGRAPH Asia: Sustainability plays a vital role in A-POC’s philosophy. How do you approach the challenge of creating timeless, durable fashion in an industry often driven by rapid trends?
YM: One of our efforts is to create and add the basic types of clothes to each collection and to continue to develop them through different seasons instead of presenting a new collection in every season.
SIGGRAPH Asia: Looking back at your journey, what advice would you give to young designers aspiring to innovate within the world of fashion and technology?
YM: It’s probably to question everything around you. I believe it’s the start of inquiry and aspiration. To think and work with using your hands is also important.
SIGGRAPH Asia: Beyond your professional accomplishments, what are some of your personal hobbies or interests that might surprise people?
YM: I enjoy travelling without making plans. I also like playing the piano and cooking.
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