Izumi Ogino

Izumi Ogino is the Japanese designer and founder of Anteprima, a luxury label she established in 1993. In 1998, she became the first Japanese woman to showcase a collection at Milan Fashion Week, a landmark moment for Japanese representation in Italy. Her background in the distribution of Italian luxury brands in Asia provided her with a unique perspective on the intersection of global markets and artisanal quality.

Throughout her career, Ogino has become a significant patron of the arts, often integrating collaborations with global artists into her design process. Her role is characterised by a commitment to creating timeless, minimalist garments that transcend seasonal trends. She is best known for the handcrafted Wirebag, a product that exemplifies her ability to merge industrial materials with traditional craft techniques.

Fashion is approached as a medium that intersects with contemporary art, focusing on the creation of timeless, minimalist silhouettes. A central formal concern is the synthesis of industrial materials and traditional handcraft, best exemplified by the development of the iconic Wirebag. This results in an aesthetic that prioritises quality textures and clean lines, creating a sense of understated elegance that transcends seasonal trends.

The work frequently features collaborations with global artists, reflecting a design ethos that values a holistic and culturally engaged creative process. Proportions are handled with a sense of architectural balance, providing a silhouette that is both graceful and functional. This commitment to artisanal detail and material innovation positions the brand as a bridge between the precision of Japanese aesthetics and the rich traditions of Italian luxury manufacturing.