Shoop Clothing keeps tracing that race towards freedom that had its starting point in the framework of spring-summer 22 for London Fashion Week. That collection, which beyond the aesthetic, transcended the emotional, already offered us a teaser of what would be his collaboration with the iconic Japanese artist Kishin Shinoyama, known not only for his crude female nudes but also for having photographed memorable covers of John Lennon and Yoko Ono.
Within this boundless world, they print a series of codes and references inspired by freedom, claiming nudity through the slogan “NUDE IS BEAUTIFUL”, and criticizing the artistic and creative censorship that we currently experience on some platforms and social networks.
On February 25, this creative fusion that pays tribute to the artist’s work by recreating some of the photographs from his books “Nude” (1970) and “28 girls by Kishin Shinoyama” (1968) came finally to light, so we talked to the creative directors of the brand, Miriam Sanz and Yohei Oki, to tell us what lies beyond what can be seen.
VT: In your show staged at the outskirts for SS22, we could already see the first approach to these collaborative pieces with Kishin Shinoyama. How did this creative union come about and what inspires you in his work to want to merge your universes?
S: We came up with this collaboration thanks to the store Restir Tokyo, who connected us with Kishin, since Restir’s building is Kishin’s former studio and has a good relationship with him.
Restir wanted to do a special project with us and they came up with the idea of doing a collaboration with Kishin Shinoyama.
VT: Liberating fashion through an eternal experimental game, has become one of your mantras. What messages do you channel or claim through this capsule collection?
S: Freedom, beauty, and nature of the nude, since we live in an era in which everything, including nudity, is increasingly censored.
We have chosen this subject because it is very representative of Kishin’s works.
VT: Internet culture, social networks, and the censorship of algorithms are part of the social involution we are experiencing. What do you think are the reasons behind these measures that continue to infringe on women’s freedom?
S: We don’t know, it’s probably to protect women, but at the same time we think it’s sometimes a bit exaggerated since nudity doesn’t always has to imply sexual content and some platforms are limiting artistic expression on that topic as well. That’s what we claim, tha isn’t natural to denaturalize the human body.
VT: What are the codes, both on an ethical and aesthetic level, that could connect your work and Kishin Shinoyama’s?
S: The photos we selected for this collaboration are several of Kishin’s most representative works from the ’60s and ’70s, from his famous books “Nude” and “28 Girls by Kishin Shinoyama”.
When selecting the images, we have opted for mysterious and dark tones, which connect very well with our aesthetics. On an ethical level, we have selected images that do not violate current regulations.
VT: If we focus on tailoring, what materials and techniques have you worked with, and how have you recreated this series of iconic photographs? Are all pieces genderless?
S: We wanted to make unisex garments that represent us and that can be worn by many people but at the same time are iconic and collectible pieces that will last over time just like Kishin’s photography.
In terms of materials, cotton, silk and comfortable materials that fit all bodies and are comfortable.
VT: For this editorial you pitch in with several creatives who, in one way or another, represent your vision. Why did you decide to make up this cast and what unites you with them?
S: We were looking for beautiful and above all very natural people, as many of Kishin’s models were like that and we wanted to pay tribute to their photos.
We’ve always collaborated with artists and creatives who represent our values. On this occasion, we have had the collaboration of friends and creatives that besides representing the natural and the beauty from our point of view, they also reflect it in their personalities and even in their work.
VT: In your FW21 collection you made reference to the butterfly as a symbol of change and transformation. Is this episode part of that evolution and/or metamorphosis? What projects or ideas would you like to offer to that unusual future that awaits us?
S: Yes, kind of. We have been able to grow thanks to this project using techniques and complements that we hadn’t used before and we always want to transform ourselves into something better.
As for projects/ideas, keep doing the things that we like and that inspire us and the world.