(Interview conducted at The Universtiy of Tennesee at Chattanooga in 2014 before his lecture on campus.)
Sebastian Masuda is recognized internationally as a fashion designer whose being an incon in creating fashion in the Harajuku style. As of 2023, he’s recently moved to New York, and he’s continued to showcase his fashion and art on the world stage.
Sebastian Masuda’s Harajuku fashion
Many of our audience may not be familiar with your work, so if you could please introduce yourself and what you are best known for.
I am Sebastian Matsuda and I am an artist. The context of my production is colorful color. As an art director, I have been creating sets for TV commercials, TV shows, and theaters in Japan.
I have been producing a Harajuku fashion icon shop called “6%DOKIDOKI“.
What has inspired you over the years and why are you presenting today to an American university audience?
I want people all over the world to know more about it because Harajuku Kawaii culture and fashion is an original Japanese subculture. That is the reason I hold my lectures in universities and talk shows.
What is it about the concept of kawaii in particular that inspires your art?
This is a unique subculture born in Harajuku. The characteristics of the Harajuku district are the context of my production, so it is very natural for me to create kawaii artwork.
How would you describe your creative process?
I always have an artistic vision when I create my artwork. I first think of a story for my artistic vision. Then, I create a lot of details based on my story. You may not recognize the story in my artwork; however, my artwork is always consistent and made with my artistic vision.
You’ve already achieved so much with your art. What is it you still want to do in the future?
Until recently, people recognized me as a Harajuku fashion creator. I think fashion is a category that only particular people can enjoy. If I crossed over from the fashion world and recreated my productions as an art, I think people would be more interested in Harajuku Kawaii culture.
I would like to promote this subculture to the many people who are interested in art, but not nessecarily fashion. In the future, I would like my productions to be used in the entertainment world, such as Hollywood films and Broadway musicals.
Sebastian Masuda’s official website: https://sebastianmasuda.com/
