ATELIER DELPHINE
MY NEWEST OBSESSION is the line Atelier Delphine from designer Yuka Izutsu. She's got a really beautiful, delicate sensibility when it comes to fashion and design, but still very structural. I found her through my friend Kate of Na Nin, and I'm so glad I did! I can't wait to see more from her and I'm so lucky to have this beautiful coat now that the weather is finally cooperating, Read on to find out more about Yuka and her designs!
1. How did you get your start in design? Has this always been what you've wanted to do?
I graduated from Women's college in Japan with a major of literature, and started working for Jill Stuart. I left there after only half a year and came here and went to FIDM and Art Center. At Art Center, I studied Fine Art, not knowing I wanted to do fashion, but I used a lot of fabrics for my sculpture, and I was doing pretty much an abstract art. I did not graduate from Art Center but instead started working for a small family-owned fashion brand as an assistant. The business went badly shortly after I started working for them, and I decided to start my own.
I think Literature, FIDM, and Fine art came to one for Atelier Delphine. Atelier Delphine is not really an “fashion fashion” brand, and i am not that knowledgeable in design / patterns. I like to suggest all women “concept of lifestyle” and “concept of colors” and hoping they enjoy those through atelier Delphine’s clothing.
2. What are your sources of inspiration?
For now, I love Gabriel Orozco. Japanese folk art. Godard Movie, Pierrot Le Fou, Breathless and Le Mepris (my fave). Also my husband loves collecting mid century furnitures, so I am always surrounded by them.
3. What is the mission statement for Atelier Delphine? Where does the name come from?
The name came from the first french movie that I saw when I was young. Young Girls from Rochefort. Katherine Deneuve was starring as the girl called Delphine. It's nothing related to the brand concept; it's only from my memory of old days.
4. Describe a day off.
I don’t take much days off since I started my business, but whenever I have time, I travel a lot. I take 3 weeks of travel time twice a year. If it's only one day, I always go to Encinitas and La Jolla or San Diego for the most beautiful beaches and read books all day.
For traveling, I was in India (Delhi, Jaipur, and Varanasi) and Japan for 3 weeks. I was looking for great inspirations and fabrics, materials in both countries. It was so so fun and a precious time - being alone looking for those for 3 weeks are the most appreciative days that I could have.
5. Fall/Winter essentials?
Aesop Body Balm.
6. What's next for your line?
I think we will start some limited qty editions with vintage line. We source a lot of trims, and fabrics from gypsies from India, and will start high end/limited qty (All assort, 2-3 garments each style) of designs that we combine with our basic designs. Also, we started a lounge/tee line for 16SS, and 16AW more of those!