Takizawa starts own label

Issey Miyake's former creative director Naoki Takizawa is launching his own women's wear label. The first collection will be unveiled during New York Fashion Week this September, Issey Miyake Inc revealed.

Takizawa is a veteran of both men's and women's wear, having worked for Issey Miyake's men's collection for 13 years and for the women's collection for seven years. In addition to the clothing line, French shoemaker Robert Clergerie will produce a shoe brand to accompany the line, Naoki Takizawa Made in France by Robert Clergerie. The design ideas will come from Takizawa. The shoe collection will be displayed at various European trade shows.

The choice for a debut in New York is based on the fact that contemporary designer fashion does particularly well in that city, Issey Miyake Inc said. "The market potential and the designer's direction were also taken into consideration." Although the brand will initially target the US and Japanese markets, eventually it will be brought to major department stores and specialty stores in Europe .