17       frequently asked questions what do you find in japan that you can’t find anywhere else? that makes me think of the small sachets with this peculiar smell that you can hang in your closet or put under your pillow. i think you can only get them in the city of kyoto … your favourite place in japan? that would definitely have to be the “tsukiji fish market” in tokyo your favourite japanese music? i discovered this group called “organ o rounge“. they played the music for my previous winter collection in paris and they’re really great. your favourite fashion item? that largely depends on my momentary mood, however in japan it would probably be the socks! water, light and naked feet japan and europe, two cultural worlds with a very special connection. as different and contrasting as people’s lifestyles in one and the other may seem at first glance, the points of contact between the two cultures today are knitted more closely than ever before. a fact that is well-known to french fashion designer agnés b., who has been in close contact with japan for more than 20 years and operates 111 shops there, 22 of them only in tokyo. it’s not only shiatsu, sushi, green tea or the ever-changing electronic gadgets that connect us europeans with japan. the closeness between japanese and european people is more or less based on a mutual form of fascination. in the land of the rising sun as well as in europe, traditions are as much a part of national identity as social and cultural open-mindedness. in the urban areas of life, similar aesthetic codes can be found and fashion, film, art, food and an increasing longing for spirituality play an equally important role. however, it remains an undisputed fact that there indeed are big differences between the two cultures concerning their approach towards life and their views on it. in the following interview, french fashion designer agnés b. talks about japanese contrasts, straightness and the enormous value of water and light. dear agnés, what are the peculiarities of the japanese market for you as a european? for me, the japanese market is full of contrasts and differences. craziness meets conventionality – that’s the way i would put it. you have been successful as a french fashion designer in japan for more than 20 years and operate more than 100 branches there. what do you think is it that fascinates your “nippon”-customers about your work? maybe it’s the typically french aspect and character of my designs. the parisian look, this very special atmospheric air of the city, has always been seducing japanese women. what’s more, my stylistic lines are very straight and graphic, which really fits in with the japanese sense for aesthetics and emotionality. do you speak japanese or do you rather let your fashion do the talking? unfortunately i only know a few words, but my fashion “says“ it all ... are there any pieces of your collection that you know will be particularly successful in japan? of course i always hope that pieces of my collection will be popular in all parts of the world. however, i have to admit that i always also keep in mind the japanese market when i design new clothes. i particularly have to keep in mind the build of japanese consumers when i create my models. i always try to perfectly adjust my cuts to the typical japanese customer. sometimes i also design products in special colours for the japanese market. for example, the typical japanese business woman just doesn’t wear eccentric clothing, so i offer special shades of grey and a wider range of colour nuances for the japanese market. compared to europe or the usa, i also use different materials and fabric types. young japanese consumers tend to be extremely open-minded towards progressive european fashion and art. on the other hand, they are influenced by a strong awareness of tradition. what do you think about this contrast between old and new? this seemingly light-footed interplay between traditional attributes and progressivity, between yesterday and the day after tomorrow is an enormous enrichment for the perception of a european. it’s simply incredible to see how young japanese women can easily change from century-old kimono variations to modern, trendy outfits while at the same time staying completely true to themselves. both europeans and japanese like to laugh, albeit about altogether different things. where do you think lies the difference between european and japanese humour? i think that japanese people are generally very discreet and reserved when it comes to laughing. usually they even cover their mouth with their hands when they laugh. however, humour is a very complex concept and i wouldn’t really pin it down to the difference between europe and asia. after all, there are also big differences in humour between europeans, and people laugh about different things in different countries. europeans as well as americans are often fascinated by japanese aesthetics. the simplicity and plainness of shapes in furniture, architecture, gardening, food etc. fits in with our sense of tidiness and quiet. do you think that the japanese have a better feel for the essential things in life? yes, in a way that’s right. but i wouldn’t want to generalize it like that. life in japan is pretty tough and there’s a constant flood of daily advertisements and information. what’s more, lots of people live in very little space and there’s an enormous pressure on the labour market. and i think that concepts like reduction and simplicity in different areas of life should better be seen in this context. after the exhausting strains of everyday life, people simply want peace and straightness when they come home … the interplay of light and shadow, an elaborate gardening culture, fine interior shapes and transparency, lots of wood and paper …, the japanese sense of beauty is always in close contact with nature. to what extent are you inspired by this approach towards nature? personally i’ve always liked flowers and trees. since i am an avid photographer as well, i have always taken nature-related photos and used them as decorative elements for my stores or as serigraphs on my clothes. this close connection represents my inner personality, my true self, but that’s not really related to the japanese way of thinking and living. i like japan, but my favourite country is actually morocco. these two countries have a lot of things in common: the high value of water, the light, naked feet, sitting on the ground … i like all of that a lot. what do you think we europeans can learn from japanese culture and people? well, i think that actually everybody could and should learn something from everybody else! helmut wolf