Since starting your brand, what are the biggest challenges you’ve faced? What have been your biggest learnings?

fragment isn’t really a brand. Whatever you do in life you can’t do anything without productivity. I think that’s a challenge for me.

The fashion industry has experienced a lot of ups and downs in recent years. What do you think about the current state of the industry and what do you see as the biggest issues facing the industry today? Specifically, what are your thoughts on the state of streetwear?

I feel ups and downs around the fashion industry, but not really around me. I think the brands around me are growing quite smoothly. It looks like streetwear is establishing itself in an interesting sense between the realms of fast fashion and high fashion.

Since the closing down of THE PARK・ING GINZA everyone has been eager to know if you have plans for another concept space. Can you reveal if there is anything in the works?

There aren’t any plans to open a concept space like POOL or PARK・ING. If there’s an opportunity to do something interesting I’d like to try it.

One of the most coveted releases in all of 2017 was the fragment x Louis Vuitton collection. How do you feel this year’s release compare to the one from 2016?

I think since 2016 I have been able to work on a wider range of projects, for example to design from scratch. I was very happy to have been able to work with Louis Vuitton and it was really fun.

Having been a part of so many high-profile collaborations, do you ever feel like your original vision and intent is lost when working with someone else?

Depending on the brand I know that there is a certain capacity at which I can contribute at, so there’s no problem with that.

With the launch of your CAREERING jewelry line, you have pretty much tried your hand at just about all the facets of the fashion industry. What is the next forte you would like to explore?

I don’t want to do anything by myself but if I’m approached to work on something I’ll think about it.

What designers do you feel we should pay close attention to in the coming year?

In recent years I’ve really liked Virgil Abloh. I’m also interested in Samuel Ross.