Eley & Kishimoto
English brand created in 1992 by Mark Eley, from Wales (1968), and his wife Wakako Kishimoto, born in Sapporo, Japan (1965). He graduated from the Polytechnic in Brighton in 1990 with a course of study in fashion and weaving. She completed her studies at the Central Saint Martin’s in 1992. Each of them a specialist in printing on fabric, they started working with famous designers such as Chalayan, McQueen, and Caseley-Hayford. Their first Rainwear collection was made with PVC in fanciful patterns for raincoats, gloves, and umbrellas. The first official collection presentation occurred in London during Fashion Week for Autumn-Winter 2001. Even though production has increased considerably, and they have become a large company, Eley and Kishimoto prefer a calm management style, family-like, in a small workshop in South London where they are assisted by a small group of artisans. They are famous for their cheerful and lively fabrics printed in original and very colorful designs acquired from designers such as Saint-Laurent, Ribeiro, Jill Sander, and Louis Vuitton. In addition to clothing and accessories (gloves, sunglasses, underwear, and sneakers), the brand also includes various items for the home, including furniture, ceramics, and wallpaper.
The brand wins the Vidal Sasson Award. Every year it gives »25,000 to the collections which distinguish themselves for the best cutting.
The new Eley & Kishimoto collection makes its début in 12 English shops in the New Look chain. The collection consists of cotton shirts and jersey tops in lavender, chocolate, transparent blue, and military green.
At the London Fashion Week for Autumn-Winter 2003-2004, the designer-couple brings back, to great success, the classic Chanel-inspired tailored suit.