Shinya Kuraoka and Masahiro Hirota founded WANSIE a Japanese ready-to-wear line launched in 2019. The WANSIE ready-to-wear line blends the atmosphere and techniques of workwear with Japanese craftsmanship, while remaining resolutely contemporary.
The SS24 collection highlights colors and materials reminiscent of spring while celebrating a 150-year heritage of ancient and contemporary Japanese culture.
Today, we embark on a journey into the creative realm of Shinya Kuraoka, co-founder of WANSIE, delving into his distinct artistic vision and personal narrative.
What is your zodiac sign?
Shinya: Aries
What was your favorite cartoon as a kid?
Shinya: Arsène Lupin III
Do you prefer night or day?
Shinya: Daybreak
What is your least favorite color?
Shinya: Vibgyor
Which celebrity would you dream dressing?
Shinya: Hayao Miyazaki and Damien Jalet
What's your favorite object that you own?
Shinya: Nanbu Ironware’s black small bell
What's the disgusting food you like to eat?
Shinya: Sugary big donuts
What's your favorite vegetable?
Shinya: Burdock
If you were a plant, which one would you be?
Shinya: Pine tree
If you were a sauce, which one would you be?
Shinya: Honey mustard soy sauce
What was the last picture you took on your phone?
Shinya: This one
Who is the teacher who has most influenced your career and why?
Shinya: My grandma, she is my biggest mentor, she taught me to think about how you are, rather than how you want to be seen.
Which movie character you most identify with?
Shinya: Andy from The Shawshank Redemption
What did you eat last night?
Shinya: Steamed vegetables and spicy garlic soy sauce
Who would you choose as an actor to play you in your biopic?
Shinya: Gong Yoo
What is your favorite smell?
Shinya: Inside mountain Temple after the rain
What is your favorite word?
Shinya: Thank you
What animal would scare you the most if it entered the room you are in now?
Shinya: Big Iguana
What's your favorite swear word?
Shinya: “Thank youâ€
What's your favorite place to cry?
Shinya: Front of loud speakers at dark club
Last Instagram picture you liked?
Shinya: Small kitty jumping on the bed
What was the last good movie you saw?
Shinya: Nomad land
What's your favourite/fetish item of clothing in your wardrobe?
Shinya: Vintage printed black t-shirt / Vintage Tony Lama’s black cowboy boots
What's your worst shame?
Shinya: I called "mom" a teacher when I was 6 years old
What's your last dream?
Shinya: My child self lost at my childhood house with my favorite stuffed animals
What would be your job in another life?
Shinya: Chef
Who would you dream to collaborate with?
Shinya: Le Louvre
What is the best costume you've ever worn? And the worst?
Shinya: Vintage biker jacket and my father’s old baggy suit pants with big silver necklace and fresh white sneakers. Borrow a friend’s tiny pajamas to go to the supermarket at night.
What is the worst question you've ever been asked?
Shinya: Why you are angry? But I wasn’t.
If you had to eat only one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Shinya: Salmon Onigiri
What is your favorite piece in your last collection?
Shinya: Rice embroidery shirts
What is your worst phobia/fear?
Shinya: Dive to the deep water
Is there a question you would like to ask one of the designers represented by Autrement PR ?
Shinya: To Cem Cinar: What is your huge desire?
What kind of music do you listen to when you work? Do you share with us a link to your playlist?
Shinya: Glenn Gould playing Piano of Bach