Erika Sonoda
/Show Day
October 20, 2023
/Social Media
Erika Sonoda is a couture fashion designer and creator based in Tokyo. Her designs are influenced by both Japanese and Western elements. Growing up in Tokyo, she has been surrounded by the unique fashion culture, so clothing has been a way to express herself since her adolescence.
She developed her passion for creation while making her own clothing as well as websites throughout her teenage years. Underground culture has been the biggest inspiration for her ever since.
Her skills are honed from professional and academic fields in Tokyo and London. Her studies in couture design and skills bring an added elegance to her designs. Even though working for a company as a fashion designer was a valuable experience, she realised how she loved the process of creating independently, which later led her to establish her own label “Erika Sonoda”.
The theme for her latest collection is “amor fati”, Latin for “love of fate”, known from philosopher Nietzsche. His wisdom for how to live life, accept and love one’s fate even through adversity reminded her of the passion and joy for creating what she loves.
It has been a challenging time for most people the past couple of years but our journeys have made many of us grow as people and become aware of the importance of living our lives fully and staying true to ourselves. The label wishes for everyone to freely enjoy fashion to express themselves, regardless of gender, age and the norms of society, guided by the principle to: “Follow your intuition and own yourself. Live in the present, treasure the things in front of you and appreciate what you have.”
PREVIOUS COLLECTIONS
What inspired you to become a fashion designer?
I started teaching myself how to make clothes as a teenager while running websites and online communities about fashion and music. My experiences with punk and Harajuku street culture during the late 1990s and early 2000s became an important foundation for my work.
How would you describe your design style?
My style combines elegance with an alternative and rebellious spirit. I draw from Japanese and Western cultures, using feminine silhouettes with elements of punk and underground street culture.
What can people expect from your latest collection?
My latest collection, AMOR FATI, explores the idea of accepting and loving one’s fate. It combines fabrics from my past, including materials left from my fashion college years, with new fabrics and an original fabric created specifically for the collection.
How did punk and Harajuku street culture influence your fashion designs?
The punk and Harajuku street cultures I experienced as a teenager became a foundation of my creative work. They continue to influence the balance between femininity, individuality, and rebellious energy in my designs.
What does “AMOR FATI” mean in your latest collection?
“Amor Fati” means “love of fate.” The collection was inspired by Nietzsche’s philosophy about accepting and loving one’s fate, even through difficult experiences. It reflects my own journey and encourages people to live fully and stay true to themselves.