Natural SELECTION

Referencing the ethos of Japanese design and the progressive degeneration of flora, creative director Ken Ijima highlights the creative process behind his slow fashion label Vuja Dé.

- BRYAN HO

The name Ken Ijima is not unheard of in fashion. While his introduction into the industry stemmed from posting fashion content on YouTube—where he showcased his personal style and daily life in Tokyo—Ijima has now amassed a sizeable following of close to 80,000 subscribers on his channel and 100,000 on Instagram. His latest brainchild, Vuja Dé, is a conscious fashion label that reimagines vintage silhouettes with contemporary details that builds on design sensibility.

Shares Ijima of the motivation behind starting his brand: “There was the innate drive to create something that is not typically considered fashion. My aim was to create an anti-fashion label with no excess waste to promote sustainable fashion and reduce overconsumption.” Attributing his root of inspiration to be his affinity with those close to him, Ijima remarks: “My inspiration behind Vuja Dé was birthed from relationships. Real-life experiences and finding a meaning behind clothing.”