Akira Isogawa is one of Australia's most innovative and celebrated designers. His designs are available globally, at some of the world's most famous stores.
Drawing inspiration from contemporary Japanese design, Akira has shown in Paris each season since 1998 and in Australia since 1996.
His awards include:
In 2007, Akira was awarded the inaugural Australian Fashion Laureate Award for his contribution to the Australian Fashion Industry. In 2006 Akira received the Award for Fashion Excellence; 2005 saw him being honoured by Australia Post and his image appeared on an 'Australian Legend' commemorative postage stamp; in 2005 he was awarded Prix De Marie Claire Best Australian Designer; in 1999 Akira was named Designer of the Year and Womenswear Designer of the Year at the Australian Fashion Industry Awards.
Akira's work has been fondly embraced by the Australian arts sector – in 2004/05 Akira Isogawa: Printemps Ete opened at the National Gallery of Victoria – the first solo fashion and textiles exhibition by an Australian fashion designer to be presented at a major national or state institution (still currently on tour in Asia). In 2003, Sydney Festival staged an exhibition of his garment construction techniques at Object Gallery, creating the most successful show in the gallery's history. Akira has also been invited to exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art and twice has been included in the Powerhouse Museum’s Fashion of the Year retrospective.
He has designed costumes for four Sydney Dance Company productions – Salome, Air & Other Invisible Forces, Ellipse, Grand and for the players in the Australian Chamber Orchestra.
His work has been warmly received by fashion critics, drawing favourable reviews from leading figures such as Anna Piaggi and media including The New York Times and US Vogue.
