Satoshi Kuwata (born 1983 in Kyoto)[1] is a Japanese fashion designer. In 2023, he was awarded the LVMH Prize for his work.[2] He is based in Milan where he founded Setchu in 2020, a fashion brand that is inspired by Japanese and British fashion. He holds the position of creative director at his design firm Setchu.[3]
Early life and education
[edit]Kuwata was born in Kyoto, Japan in 1983. At the age of 21 he moved to London.[4] He studied as Central Saint Martins before apprenticing on Savile Row.[1]
Work
[edit]His work incorporates convertible clothing such as bags that transform into skirts and coats that can become capes; as well as complex folded garments similar to origami forms.[5] Two of his material innovations include the use of sugarcane waste to create a denim like fabric and inventing a type of washable cashmere wool, both of which are practical and sustainable.[1][6]
Prior to founding Setchu, he worked for Gareth Pugh and Givenchy,[7] and has worked as a guest designer at other fashion houses, including Pitti Uomo.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Satoshi Kuwata". Business of Fashion. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
- ^ "Setchu by Satoshi Kuwata". LVMH Prize. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
- ^ Maguire, Lucy (16 January 2025). "'I want to be humble': Setchu's Satoshi Kuwata on his runway debut". Vogue. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
- ^ Winkler, Carolyn Twersky (7 June 2023). "Setchu Designer Satoshi Kuwata Wins the Prestigious 2023 LVMH Prize". W Magazine. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
- ^ Gallagher, Jacob (21 January 2026). "Prada Alienates in the Right Way". The New York Times. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
- ^ Wang, Junjie (24 April 2024). "Satoshi Kuwata On The Importance Of Purpose And Conscious Design". Vogue Hong Kong. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
- ^ Conlon, Scarlet (17 January 2025). "Two decades in the making, Satoshi Kuwata holds his first Setchu runway show in Florence". Wallpaper Magazine. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
- ^ Salabian, Sandra (14 January 2025). "Guest Designer Setchu's Satoshi Kuwata to Make Runway Debut With Collection Sparked by a Piece of Paper". Women's Wear Daily. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
Further reading
[edit]Interview with Satoshi Kuwata: Setchu by Satoshi Kuwata, the Art of Uncompromising Compromise, Exhibition Magazine.[1]
- ^ "Setchu by Satoshi Kuwata, the Art of Uncompromising Compromise". Exhibition Magazine. Retrieved 29 January 2026.