Akira Isogawa

Not long after I first arrived in Australia, I came across this great deal, a 30-day bus-pass to the outback. I bought a ticket and was soon heading towards Alice Springs. My guide-map suggested I get off at the Uluru sign-post and that’s just what I did, thinking the Big Red Rock must be just up the road. Four hours later, after baking in the scorching heat with a wet towel over my head, I was eventually saved by a Swiss traveller. I was offered a lift to a place "just around the corner". I soon realised that "just around the corner" was in fact a two-hour car drive!

Finally arriving at the great rock I couldn’t believe it. Having come from an island home to this vast space with bright-blue skies and red earth, I stood looking at this massive rock. I was overcome with its incredible force, by its magic. There was something spiritual there, I became spell-bound.

The respect I felt for this ancient rock and the stories of dream-time took me back in time. A desire to seek an understanding of our past is what inspires and shapes who we are, and our ability to connect with others and tell our own story.

The timelessness of my own garments echoes my personal journey and story as a designer. When I reflect on Uluru I think it is the permanency of this natural icon’s timeless beauty, which provides a great sense of spiritual wellbeing. Yet back then on that day, the commanding presence of Uluru gave me a sense of freedom that made me think I would like to stay in this country a little longer. Twenty-three years later I am still here, Australia is my home.

Akira Isogawa is one of Australia’s most celebrated designers. Born in Kyoto Japan, Akira moved to Australia in 1986 where he studied fashion design at the Sydney Institute of Technology, drawing inspiration from contemporary Japanese design. Akira has achieved international recognition for his exquisite contemporary designs, which are sought after in every major fashion capital throughout the world.