DR. MAAYA
NO QUESTIONS ASKED DR. MAAYA SPREADS JOY AT VFW GALA
On October 7th at the opening night gala of Vancouver Fashion Week we were treated to a joyful presentation by Dr. Maaya. This exciting childlike presentation was an audience favorite. Last spring the opening night gala featured an amazing balloon fashion designer from Japan Emi Jingu. Certainly a creative force is alive and well in Japan. We in the west are often more confined by definitions of fashion and may restrict our creativity because of it. However in Japanese culture their seems to be less confines as to what fashion is. If you have read my other posts on VFW you already aware of my theme for this season which is diversity. If you have not read my earlier posts check out my post Diversity is the Strength of Vancouver Fashion Week
Because of my western thinking, in a way I could call Dr. Maaya a costume designer. Whether the incredible creations produced by Dr. Maaya are clothing or costumes is really irrelevant. What is not up for debate is that they are effective at arousing emotions, which after all is the purpose of art. In this case the emotions are joy, happiness and elation. The audience was led to a state of childlike wonder, with the vibrant rainbow garments, the joyful music and exuberant presentation.
WHO IS DR. MAAYA ?
In a rush of people trying to get photo's and meet Dr. Maaya , some how I managed a brief interview with the designer. With the often not needed translator we spoke , here is our conversation.
DR. MAAYA WHO ARE YOU, AND HOW DID YOU BECOME A DESIGNER ?
I am an actual Doctor, I studied very hard in Japan to become a neurosurgeon. However, I had an interest in fashion since I was a little girl . I kept satisfying my desire for fashion by doing work related to illustrations and designing goods to be distributed in the Division and Hospital or posters for medical conferences.However my desire to learn more about fashion just grew and grew. Finally I decided to do something about it and I went to school in Japan to learn art. In 2010, I finally made a move: I entered into Central Saint Martins in London, UK.
DR. MAAYA
WHAT WAS YOUR INSPIRATION FOR THE CLOTHES ? HOW ARE THEY CREATED ?
I always wanted to make clothes that were fun and wanted to change fashion.I always dreamed since I was a little girl that I would like to make fashion that was fun and different. The collection is made mainly from glue. I use a hot glue gun to create the clothes. I make them to look 3d. I don't think any one has made fashion like this before.
DR. MAAYA
DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO WEAR THE CLOTHES OR DO YOU SEE THEM AS ART?
I want people to wear the clothes I make. In fact that is why I am here today, to promote my fun clothes to the world. I always wear rainbow clothes in daily life, even when I am working at the hospital. It is very positive and happy. I even wear my rainbow hair to the hospital.
DR. MAAYA
WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RAINBOW ? THE RAINBOW IS A SYMBOL OF THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY IS THAT IMPORTANT TO YOU?
I never intended it to be about LGBTQ community. Certainly, that is not a problem to me. What the rainbow represents to me is joy and happiness. I like to make people feel happy. Furthermore , I always like to be colorful and bright.
DR. MAAYA
THE COLLECTION
