Rihito Itagaki look.2

While pursuing a career in acting, he often appears in fashion magazines and web media which have showed off his unique fashion sensibilities. Perhaps Rihito Itagaki’s aesthetic sense which is not hemmed-in by stereotyping is a sign of the times. I asked him about what cultivated his unique fashion sense.

Was there an incident in his life that made him a slave to fashion?

“It was when Ringo Sheena wore Gucci on a music program. I thought it was so alluring and discovered her getup was made by a designer named Alessandro Michele. I was thoroughly captivated by his aesthetic sense which is somewhat lurid and graphic, and was drawn into his worldview much like how I was drawn into Tim Burton’s films.”

He claims that he is not into fashion or hair and makeup because he wants others to think he dresses. He doesn’t find very much inspiration from continually mass produced nice trends that one often sees around about town.

“I wear the garb that I like – that is my aesthetic. It is one form of self expression, as is hair and makeup. But while decking myself out, it will make my day if someone says “that’s cool!” I particularly am drawn to the splendid that is maximalist in contrast to minimalist, so the more you layer on the better. I also like garb from the past, such as what European noblemen wore in the Middle Ages and outdated Japanese garb. After all, fashion is a manifestation of authority and is a tool for you to show who and what you are. The energy and power that pours out of it is what interests me.”

He gets his fashion information on the internet everyday. He looks at the latest collections of brands that he is in to and saves images of looks that he likes.

“I often look at VOGUE RUNWAY. I often wear domestic brand garb for acting gigs and gather information on new brands while at work. I not only like to wear garb but to see it too. On the weekend I go shopping or go out to see a film.”

His fashion sense is revealed in drawing that is his hobby. The drawings that he has made on his computer and tablet would put a professional to shame and he exhibits them on an irregular basis on his computer.

“It was quite some time ago, so I don’t really recall when I began drawing pictures. I draw when the impulse hits me and on a whim. I am also inspired to draw if I see something beautiful like a film or scenery, or I hear music.”

A recent trend for him is listening to overseas female musicians. Owing to his parents’ influence, he has an affinity for diva-types like Lady Gaga and Nicki Minaj.

“I was watching in real-time when Lady Gaga amazed the world wearing a raw meat dress. With my own garb, I prefer attire that has a little sense of humor – as if it might get a chuckle from someone. A big dream of mine is to someday appear at the MET GALA. Harry Styles and Jared Leto are my muses. I look at their attire and imagine what I would wear if it was me there.”

Fashion is a path through which the imagination opens up. In a fashion shoot, you enjoy the production process as if you were producing a single work. In this shoot, what left an impression was Rihito Itagaki striking poses in succession and changing his expression while communicating with the staff. What did he think about the items he wore this time and the Onitsuka Tiger brand?

“I often look at shoes at the Shibuya Onitsuka Tiger shop. What I thought about the collection items was that the roots of the brand can be found in Japan. It was oversized but the silhouette and line was gorgeous and I felt a calculated garb design. While I appreciate black garb, it is also hard to work with as it can look completely wrong depending on the material. So it not a color that you can wear with a dull sensibility as if it is good enough to simply throw on an all black getup. For this style, the use of materials was expert and it had good sense of balance.”

The act and dress is colored with his unique take and he isn’t afraid to have fun with the garb. He is definitely someone to keep an eye out for!

---

Direction: Shinsuke Nozaka
Photo, Movie: Yoshiaki Sekine (SIGNO)
Stylist: Kosei Matsuda（SIGNO）
Hair & Make up: KATO（TRON）
Text: Aika Kawada