Interview: Eley Kishimoto
London design duo Wakako Kishimoto and Mark Eley speak to Penny Martin about their creative workspace, ahead of the presentation of their Spring/Summer 2004 collection.
London design duo Wakako Kishimoto and Mark Eley speak to Penny Martin about their creative workspace, ahead of the presentation of their Spring/Summer 2004 collection.
Penny Martin: When did you first move into your studio?
Eley Kishimoto: September 1994.
PM: What made you choose it?
EK: The size, one room to fit 10m print table, a dye room, a clean design and make room, but importantly it is very cheap and it is local to our home.
PM: What are the different roles of the people working in your studio?
EK: We all have individual responsibilities and in addition to this we are all chameleons and adopt each other¹s roles if required. We would like to make the point that it is a team effort and we work well as a team.
PM: Please describe what happens there on a typical day.
EK: Design, print, manufacture, market, communicate and laugh as much as possible.
PM: How did the appearance/décor of your studio come about? Did it evolve spontaneously, or was it designed?
EK: The mess grew with us, it's a very natural process of collecting and not being able to throw anything away.
PM: Is there something about your studio that inspires your work or is it purely a practical space?
EK: It is a practical space but the people who inhabit it are party to inspiration.