Sumie Tachibana is a rising star in the indipendent fashion scene in New York.
She lives and works in Long Island City, in Queens, New York.
It's right along the water's edge with a beautiful view of Manhattan and just minutes away from Grand Central by subway.
A few months ago, she got a studio space in Long Island City just a few blocks away from where she lives.
She loves working here because it's literally minutes away from the heart of Manhattan when she needs to be there, and she still get to have a more peaceful, cleaner, and definitely spacious environment.
A place between the business life and the private sphere of Sumie.
The overall theme in her work is dark and sophisticated.
Her collection line takes it another level where the wearer to feels a sense power and sexy.
It definitely takes an independent and unique individual to fully feel the effect of her clothing.
Otherwise, the clothing might wear the wearer and not vice versa.
Dark and edgy, deep and sharp.
Nothing is mass produced here. Every Sumie creation is totally handmade, sometime in limited edition. Some of them are one of a kind item.
Overall she appreciates any kind of high-end material.
She is always stocked with lambskin, lace, silk organza, and variety of wools, cottons, and silks.
And she loves silver metal buttons and chains.
She brainstorms different ideas and themes that she likes.
Then, once she picks the inspiration topic, she researches it, like history, origin of the word, etc.
Now she starts sketching and fabric swatching. Once she picks her favorites, then she starts making the patterns and sewing.
The inspiration is almost always from the fabric.
"What can I make out of this fabric that will use as much of it as possible without wasting?" Sumie asks herself.
Then she makes something based on the material and the size.
She is very much visually stimulated.
Experiencing new places, watching shows/movies, even just going to the park or eating at a new restaurant will keep her mind flowing with ideas.
And the fact that she doesn't have a "normal day" really helps.
Things are always changing, and she meets new people all the time.
Her creativity is like a protective armor with which to protect a intimate, dark, wide side that distinguishes Sumie and that she pours into the strength and visual impact of each of his creations.
