The Curator

A former Chief Editor, Takahiro Kinoshita is finding that his skills as an all-round communicator and curator of menswear for the last 30 years are being used to their fullest as Group Senior Executive Officer for Fast Retailing, as well as Creative Director of the Fast Retailing Global Creative Lab

- JONATHAN HO 

BEGINNING HIS CAREER after university as an editor for a magazine publishing company, Takahiro Kinoshita was a member of the editorial team for Men’s Club, an associate editor for Brutus, and later the editor-in-chief of Popeye. Drawing on his nearly 30 years of experience as magazine editor, Kinoshita changed career to join Fast Retailing, using his extensive media experience to unify the many types of communication from Uniqlo and thereby convey brand and product messages to customers all around the world. In August 2019, he launched LifeWear, a semi-annual in-house brand publication, while continuing to oversee branding, marketing and creative design for apparel.

LifeWear is a free publication that conveys the brand’s namesake philosophy of making the everyday lives of people richer and more comfortable. The theme of Issue 08 for Spring/Summer is “The Art of Everyday Life”, a rediscovery of the relationship between clothes and life; presenting Spring/Summer stylings with “art” in the sense of a creative endeavour, as well as the qualities and skills that allow us to live each day positively.

What are your perspectives on the relationship between art and fashion?

Fashion is more colourful and extravagant because it’s not just an art, but it also speaks to your inner self. When Uniqlo works with artists to create new garments, it really brings smiles to people and so it creates a big impact.

You have over 25 years experience in publishing and now you’re the Creative Director. So what is the most interesting insight you have about our industry, and menswear?