
As the founder of this brand, there is one thing I value above all else.
It is listening to the people who are building this business with me, and growing the brand together with them.
The core collaborators who are helping shape Aiguille & Ito today are people I personally hoped to work with.
I reached out to each of them individually, shared my vision, and invited them to become part of this journey. Step by step, we are bringing this project to life together.
Of course, there are times when I hear opinions that are difficult to accept.
But I believe that listening to them with an open mind is also part of being a founder.
I don’t want this brand to become a company that exists only to fulfill my own ideals or ambitions.
Instead, I want it to be a brand where everyone involved can genuinely feel, « We built this together. »
That is the spirit in which I continue preparing for its launch.
As I prepare to launch a business between France and Japan, one of the biggest challenges has been navigating the differences in the way we work and the pace at which we move.
It’s not a question of one approach being better than the other.
Rather, it’s about learning how to bridge the small gaps that naturally arise from those differences. Finding the right timing and staying in sync has turned out to be far more challenging than I ever imagined.
When people think about preparing to launch a business, they often picture administrative work such as writing a business plan or creating financial projections.
Of course, those tasks are essential.
But beyond that, there are countless other things to do—researching potential retailers, selecting materials, aligning ideas with partners and consultants, and so much more.
In my case, communicating through social media is also an important part of the process.
Even before the brand officially launches, I want to keep sharing my thoughts and the story behind it in my own words.
People often imagine that a designer’s job is simply to create beautiful pieces. But in reality, being able to express why I create them is just as important as the act of creating itself.
Every day, I’m reminded of both the challenge and the importance of putting into words what I’m trying to build.
Sharing our story isn’t only about helping customers discover the brand.
It also plays an important role in helping the people I work with understand what this brand stands for and where we’re hoping to go together.
I want every collaborator to be able to say with confidence,
« I’m proud to be part of a brand that has meaning and truly stands for something. »
That’s why I believe it’s so important to take the time to clarify my own thoughts and continue sharing the values and philosophy behind the brand.
For me, communicating that vision is just as important as creating the brand itself.
When it comes to working with our business partners, I also hope to find solutions that feel fair and respectful to everyone involved.
While it’s important for them to understand the values and principles we can’t compromise on, I believe it’s just as important to listen to their perspectives and circumstances as well.
Rather than building one-sided relationships, I want to create partnerships based on mutual trust and respect—relationships where we can continue working together comfortably for many years to come.
My team, our business partners, and our customers.
Moving forward while balancing the hopes, needs, and perspectives of everyone involved is, perhaps, part of what it means to be a founder.
Trying to see every side, bringing different viewpoints together, and sometimes finding yourself caught in the middle—it comes with the role.
It isn’t an easy responsibility.
And yet, for some reason, I have a confidence that it can be done.
Perhaps that’s because, long before I started building a business, I believed that trust between people is the foundation of everything.
Even now, I’m trying to build Aiguille & Ito on that very foundation of trust.
What I hope to create through Aiguille & Ito is more than clothing.
I want to build a brand that grows through human connection—a brand that people will cherish and continue to love for years to come.
And so, day by day, I continue laying that foundation.
Although it’s still in its early stages, I’m carefully laying the foundation with the hope that one day I can bring the thoughts, values, and atmosphere I’ve been sharing here to life through clothing.
I’d love to continue sharing the journey behind the brand, along with the thoughts and experiences that come with building it, little by little.
As we get closer to the launch, I also hope to share more of Aiguille & Ito as it evolves through Instagram Live and other updates, so you can experience the brand’s journey with me.
Right now, I’m working toward my goal of reaching 1,000 followers on Instagram.
If my vision resonates with you, I would be so grateful if you could support this journey by liking, following, or simply staying connected. Every bit of encouragement means more than you know.
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