FEATURE 32

The reason why ELENDEEK collaborates with DESCENDANT

FEATURE 32

The reason why ELENDEEK collaborates with DESCENDANT

The collaboration between DESCENDANT and ELENDEEK, which is known for their theme of elegance mode, is a lineup of swimwear, summer dresses, beach sandals, and more.
At a young age, both started a girl's brand, got married, gave birth, and now enjoy raising their children while still making clothes.
With the similar lifestyle background for both Yuka Watanabe and Mikiko Nishiyama, what is “Adults' waterfront?”
Please tell us how the collaboration between ELENDEEK and DESCENDANT started. Nishiyama Initially, our daughters, who are the same age, got along with each other and soon became family friends. During summer vacations, we traveled together to the mountains, beaches. While traveling, we were always excited discussing things like “I would buy this if there were something like this,” and that lead to a collaboration that started the 2018 Spring/Summer collection. Watanabe As the creative director of Elendeek, I supervise the designs, PR, and VMD at stores and thought it would be great chemistry to mix the elegance mode of ELENDEEK and the street taste of DESCENDANT. Nishiyama We are similar in how we both spent our 20s and 30s as girls' brands' designers, and after starting a family, we are now spending kids-focused lives. The items reflect this lifestyle, and I think it works well. Watanabe When raising children, your outfit tends to become more casual, but I was fascinated and inspired by how Miki puts together streetwear item outfits so naturally. That is why I wanted to make women's clothes with DESCENDANT.

Do you have a theme when you collaborate? Nishiyama There's no special theme in particular, but we only create items that we really want to wear. For instance, considering our age, creating beachwear with the idea of being less exposed. Watanabe Our collaboration so far has been concentrated around the spring and summer seasons. It was not intentional, but the ideas and inspirations came about when we were on our trips during the summer (Laughs). Based on the DESCENDANT's everyday items, we arranged the colors we were interested in and chose green and purple. Nishiyama This collaboration's ideas originally came about while we were in the jacuzzi. Since we both love the beach, our collaboration with the theme of “Adults waterfront” may last for a while (Laughs). Watanabe The wedge sole beach sandals that have become a regular staple in ELENDEEK and DESCENDANT collaborations always receive great feedback and sell out quickly. Nishiyama There are not many beach sandals with a wedge sole. This sandal is an exclusive model with “Scott Hawaii,” a local Hawaii brand, and was introduced to us by my cousin who lives in Hawaii. After visiting Scott Hawaii's headquarter, this item was born.

By the way, since both of you are making clothes and raising children at the same time, what kind of person do you hope your children grow to be? Watanabe I want my child to have as many experiences as possible and expand her world. I don't put much mind into the profession she chooses, but since she loves to draw, I would like to develop her talent in that. Nishiyama DESCENDANT is a brand that we started after the children were born, and we wanted them to know and remember how we as parents worked. I want to give them many choices by showing them there are various ways of working and living. It is ultimately up to them what they choose next from there, but I want them to have diversity. Watanabe Living with a child gives me inspiration for making clothes. In my case, her drawings are really cute and I feel that I am unconsciously inspired by her use of colors. By the way, the cover of the new DESCENDANT catalog was a drawing of a horse. Was it because she started horse back riding? Nishiyama Yes, that's right. Watanabe I knew it. That's what I thought. Nishiyama DESCENDANT's whale logo, themes of fishes and insects, reflected the children's interests at the time. The word DESCENDANT has the meaning of offspring, and on the inner brand label, there is a message “Please hand me down to the next generation.” I think it would be ideal if memories were connected rather than as substances. Watanabe Wow, what a wonderful concept!

Please tell us the vision for the future. Nishiyama When I started a brand in my 20s and worked as a designer, I often inflated images in my head to make the clothes. Starting a family, I spend my days focused on the children, so the process of making clothes has changed. However, in the future, I know life will change again, not being solely centered around the children. I honestly can't even imagine how it will change. I just want it to be natural. Watanabe Working as a designer, I align myself with the brand. There are times with difficulties expressing something other than myself, but I want to be myself who can always express my personality in the next phase. Nishiyama The value of clothes in the world is changing, and the new expression and consciousness, aside from dressing up, have become fashionable. Watanabe Regarding the value of clothes, I feel that the children's generation is quite different from ours. The world they see since their childhood is far different, so I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of value she will develop in the future.

Please contact the stores directly for exclusive items.
https://elendeek.com

Yuka Watanabe
At the age of 26, she launched “MERCURYDUO,” as the creative director, oversees the entire brand from design and PR strategy to product planning. In 2016, she established “ELENDEEK” and supervised everything as well. In her private life, she was married in 2012 and is now a mother, balancing herself between work and childcare.
FEATURE