Meet GFF International Talent, Mao Murasato, from Omula Hairdressing And Fashion Professional Training College in Japan. Mao is inspired by pastel colours, as well as shapes and materials not usually found in fashion, such as noodles and flower pots. As you can see in Mao鈥檚 images below, collage is a medium she has used to express her aesthetic, saying that collage鈥檚 lack of rules gives her the freedom to express her style in a unique way. Read on below to learn more about Mao and her collection.

Contact Mao Murasato:

Email: 6ra310@gmail.com

Tell us about you, where are you from, what lead you to fashion and choosing that course?

I loved clothes since I was a kid. Because I can become a new myself every day and express my personality that is the only one in the world. I'm so happy that people around me can get a good evaluation just by wearing my favourite clothes. I wanted to design clothes that would make a lot of people think that fashion is one way to enjoy life. I chose my current school and course for my ability because of not only fashion creation but also the ability of the business.

And my seniors seemed to have great fun. There were a lot of seniors who made me feel that I wanted to be like them. I have a junior who wants to be like me after enrolling my current school. If I become someone's goal, I will do my best harder than now. I consider there is an environment in my school like that. The environment in which we can learn from fellows with the same dream is very inspiring and there are many new discoveries. And again, it makes me feel like fashion.

Describe the inspiration and concept behind your work. Talk us through your final project and your research process. How did that come about?

My concept this time is "BELINDA鈭碦ENATA". I decided to mean, "Because it shines pretty, it will be reborn." The origin is in me. I used to have no confidence in myself. However, because I loved clothes, people around me started to pay attention to their freestyling. I don't want to do the same as others. I started to think about fashion, hairstyles, and styling colours different from those around me. By expressing my own view of the world in fashion, people around me will appreciate and be interested. I'm so happy and I feel more confident in myself. I wanted to design clothes that would give me confidence in fashion. So I decided on this concept. I hope that people to become more attractive and wonderful by wearing clothes that appeal to their hearts.

Tell us about your design process. How do you work? How do you take your research and develop your own designs?

When thinking about design, I decide the theme first. Then, I turn my attention to familiar objects, carefully observe the colours and shapes, and consider whether they can be used for design. I think it will be very interesting to change the viewpoint, Find the shape I want to design from familiar objects, I also think about which part I can use, and expand my ideas. Then, I select the fabric I want to use, touch a lot of materials. And I decide the shape of the design. Even if I get inspiration from something, not the theme, I can get closer to my image by changing the fabric and colour. When thinking about design, I often try to discover a new viewpoint by observing the object differently. Also, we try to avoid becoming stiff by getting some opinions from people who have no knowledge of fashion.

Tell us about your Collection Development. How do you toile, how do you like to pattern cut, do you like to drape?

I like fine decorations. Also, like materials that are soft and have a gather. It spends a lot of time to collect the material parts and to create from small pieces to the big collection. However, when I use some fabrics, sometimes used to feel weak impression as colouring and sharpness. I like light shades, so the impression of the outfit is often weak. So, I try to bring impact point to one part somewhere and concentrate on that part to make detailed decorations so that it is clear to understand the point I want to express. Also, when I come up with an idea, I will change the detail and design aggressively as necessary, I felt so interesting. Follow the directions that my heart enjoys.

Talk us through your final collection and each outfit. Why were these the final designs?

This time, I have researched many things before deciding my concept, theme, and target. So I spent a long time. By deciding on the design of the clothes and the process before starting the production, it became easier to work and I understood what kind of work I wanted to create. I've always said that my heart is fun, and I think it's excellent to be able to create something I like from scratch. I was able to shape the ideal while thinking that the work I wanted to do and the materials I wanted to use would be better. It would be amazing if everyone knew that they were using food for decoration, so it was a lot of fun to work while thinking about the reaction. I valued my originality the most and expressed my own worldview, so I created it the final collection.

What materials have you used within the collection and how did you source them? Why was this the right material for your collection?

I use vermicelli and flower pots with lace, satin and quilting fabric. Vermicelli is food and noodles. The flowerpot is of course for gardening. I used materials that are not usually used in fashion. When I consider about design, I always look things around me and get inspired by colours and shapes. I found both vermicelli and flower pots when I was shopping at a store. These are a familiar item that is sold everywhere. I used it because I wanted to arrange these two into a design somehow. If I can lose common sense, I think there will be new discoveries

Tell us about your illustration technics. Explain your final line up and what art materials and technics you use to showcase it.

I use the drawing material 鈥減astel 鈥� when drawing fashion sketches. The reason why that is applied with fingers, it is easy to give a lovely colour and expression. Even if the design goes well, there are times when colouring fails. At such times, I use a collage technique and balance the colours. I like to express my world view of design in collage. There are no rules for collage, so I will leave it to the momentum of the work. We use materials and details that match the image, and I try to be able to attract someone's heart the moment they see it. I also used the seasonings of the foods as art materials. Colours are easy to add to fashion sketches, and work can be done easily in a short time. I practised this method by studying it myself and learning from the tutor鈥檚 knowledge and technique.

What part of your final project have you enjoyed most and why? ie, the research and concept or maybe the manufacturing of the collection.

I was interested in researching the garment details the most in this project. I have collected the fabrics and materials to dye and boil for many days. I was able to challenge that I don鈥檛 usually do in the process of making clothes. The result was different from my imagination, and I failed many times, but I enjoyed the result as a new discovery. Also, I was able to work from various directions by seeing and listening to the work of friends who were also doing detail research. It's very satisfying to be doing things that no other person is doing and to be able to realize the imagination in my head. I thought that I was able to value the originality of my personality.

What鈥檚 an aspect of the fashion industry that you鈥檙e passionate about fixing or having a positive impact on?

To prevent this from the unexpected crisis, we should first thoroughly adhere to the axis of the brand concept. In order to refine the brand based on that concept, it is necessary to explore the trend of fashion, but I think it will be interesting to change to originality. Customers buy for that brand, so it's important to respond to that expectation.

What is your plan once you finish your BA? Where do you wish to be in the future?

In order to achieve my dream of launching my own brand, I want to get a job as a designer at a company. Among them, I would like to research what kind of design products are required by customers and acquire the knowledge to select designs and fabrics that do not incur unnecessary costs. Also, while valuing the concept and taste of the brand, I would like to work hard so that I can mix and match original designs that only I can think of. I think that it may be painful to launch a brand, but I want to value my axis. From the age of 25 onwards, I would like to make use of the knowledge I have acquired to grow my brand, and first of all, use Instagram of SNS to raise awareness among others. I want to strive to meet the excitement and expectations I have for myself in the future.