TADASHI SHOJI: THE MAN BEHIND THE FIT
From runway to red carpet, designs from Tadashi’s collection are etched in our minds as sexy, sleek, and flattering. It is unquestionable why celebrities like Monique, Octavia Spencer, Ahna O’Reilly, and Melonie Diaz use Tadashi Shoji as their go to designer. As intriguing as Tadashi’s designs are, II Magazine wanted to know more about fashion designer, Tadashi Shoji’s thoughts about the inconsistent world of fashion.
II Magazine: Because we live in a Microwave Society, many designers are considering eliminating live fashion shows for digital. How do you feel about this digital movement?
Tadashi Shoji: There is no comparison between live and digital fashion shows. It takes the same amount of time to produce a runway show digitally that it would producing a live runway show. The pros for live fashion shows definitely outweigh the cons. There may be less excitement and feeling viewing runway shows digitally versus in person. You are not able to capture the mood, real time, the feeling, and the true essence of the garment.
II Magazine: Has Generation Y influenced or made an impact on your designs?
Tadashi Shoji: Yes, with technology. Every season I have a concept which requires research. For example, if I design a collection from Russia’s Pre-Revolution period, my assistant finds Russian movies, art museums, and books related to that particular period. I notice the feeling and mood during that particular time and transfer it into my designs. After that, I edit it. Then, my assistant and I research fabric that will capture the feeling/mood and concept for the season’s collection. My assistants do all the research using current technologies. Most of my assistants are from Generation Y. They are very tech savvy, which has allowed me to remain current.
II Magazine: Does politics dictate fashion trends?
Tadashi Shoji: No, the economy more so than politics. I don’t focus so much on history or politics. The mood from the concept and the design, with hopes that customers wearing my design can feel the mood I was trying to capture and create. I don’t do “costumie stuff”. I try to do current/present designs women are wearing at the present moment. So many people pick up my dress because of the Asian inspired look, meaning, color, fabric (ex. silk), embroidery, and floral designs from my original collection. However, I don’t focus on trends or trend forecastors. I design what inspires me. That is the editors’ and press people’s job to categorize and interpret trends.
II Magazine: What makes your collection exclusive?
Tadashi Shoji: Fit and comfort, which brings out confidence. When women buy my designs I want them to feel happy on the inside and if you are happy on the inside it will show on the outside. If you are self conscious about what you are wearing and the 
fit, then, you are not comfortable with what you are wearing. Comfort and cut are signature touches to my designs and a major factor when I’m designing. A woman’s figure is also my idea of a woman’s beauty. Enhancing the right places and camouflaging the wrong places is my mission.□
And on that note Mr. Shoji, you have succeeded. Your designs truly exemplify confidence,comfort, and femininity. One lesson readers can take away from this interview: Fit should never be compromised for style.
Thanks for the article on designer, Tadashi Shoji. His superb designs speak for themselves!
What a great article. Tadashi will always be one of my favorite designers. He designed for EVERY woman; sexy, flattering, sophisticated, and most of all comfortable!!!
Wow! What a spectacular piece on such an amazing designer. Thank you!