Tak Sugita Interview
Each month, we ask a photographer to picture a Corneliani Travel Jacket on someone, somewhere in the world. These shots were taken on a stretch of coastline about an hour away from Tokyo by Tak Sugita, a Tokyo-based fashion photographer whose portfolio includes Vogue, GQ, Numéro and Manifesto.
Where did you take these pictures?
Tak Sugita: «On the east coast, facing the Pacific Ocean, about an hour away from Tokyo».
Who’s wearing the Travel Jacket?
Tak Sugita «Kota, a model I’ve previously worked with on editorial projects».
What was the mood you were trying to convey?
Tak Sugita: «I wanted to show the jacket in a setting that reflects the ordinary, everyday life of the rural seaside – the same place where I conduct my own activities».
What does this location mean to you?
Tak Sugita: «Since my hometown is a rural fishing port town, I feel like the fishing port is a place where I belong».
Do you think the images you’ve captured say something about you – or do you try to keep yourself out of the frame?
Tak Sugita: «I asked a stylist friend to handle the styling, so the outfits worn by the model are more stylish than what I would wear! But looking at the photos, I get the sense that the mood the model is projecting is the same as someone who naturally belongs within my own world».
What do you like about travelling?
Tak Sugita: «Whether travelling abroad, exploring within the country, or simply taking a walk near my home – to me, it is all a journey. Even if I were to stand in the same spot all day, the passage of time shifts the light, and that very progression becomes a journey in itself. For me, finding joy in the scenery is the essence of enjoying travel».
What does your style say about who you are?
Tak Sugita: «I focus on making it easy to communicate with a wide range of people. I believe that staying relaxed is important».
Do you feel most like yourself when you’re at home or when you’re travelling?
Tak Sugita: «I enjoy always maintaining the perspective of a traveller – it makes little difference whether I am at home or away on a trip. I generally go everywhere with my beloved family».
What’s something unexpected that’s always in your suitcase?
Tak Sugita: «I travel very light. Aside from my camera gear – which I always keep with me – I don't carry a suitcase. For instance, I buy only the bare minimum of clothing I need at my destination».
How did the Travel Jacket hold up in the field?
Tak Sugita: «From a fashion perspective, I felt the design was versatile enough to suit a wide range of styles – something that aligns perfectly with my own lifestyle. Functionally, it was made from materials that remained comfortable even in Japan’s sweltering heat and humidity, such as on the day of the shoot. It’s the kind of item I’d want to have with me wherever I go».
TAK SUGITA
Tak Sugita’s childhood interest in drawing was what prompted him to pursue a career in the fine arts, working as an assistant to contemporary fine artists in his undergraduate days. After this, he became a fashion photographer and has jetsetted all around the world to work on photo shoots. Now based in Tokyo, he has worked with the likes of Vogue, GQ, Numéro and Manifesto.
