Our new collection Rise, introduces stunning designs celebrating one of the oldest mythological creatures: the serpent – a powerful and mystical symbol of healing, renewal and transformation.
This illustrated artwork is created by hand, in a process that takes hundreds of hours to complete; truly the definition of wearable art.
FARA Co-founder and Creative Director Fumie shares with us more about the inspiration, vision and processes behind the collection.
What influences from your heritage and background have informed these illustrations and designs?
Our inspiration is always based on our adventures, where we visited, life and what we feel passionate about and inspired by. We are always alert to the evolution of our vision and of what we love.
I am Japanese and my grandma taught me how to use the Japanese watercolour which is not replaceable digitally – this is why all our illustration is created handdrawn.
Tell us more about the vision behind ‘Rise’.
Rise had to represent our brand and seeing our serpent scarf speak out strongly, we decided to carry on the story from there.
The Serpent represents many meanings throughout different cultures such as fertility and rebirth. For FARA, to Rise is our spirit.
What do is special to you about this technique and medium?
The best part I love is when I draw and synchronise in lines and colour. I have been using Japanese water colour for almost all my life and know how the colour blends and in what way. One of my ancestors from a long time ago was a famous painter and I was told that he is my guardian angel. This made me feel that what I am sharing to the world through FARA is very precious.
We understand it is a delicate and extensive procedure which takes hundreds of hours, can you describe the process and length in more detail for us?
I would say the most time consuming part is the planning. We plan which garments to apply the illustration to and the composition has to be laid out properly. Also, by this time we need to visualise what tone of colour the illustration is. It all depends on how fast we get this planning in place, so it can take from few days to a week or two to complete our planning. Then I start the illustration. I usually do it in real size, so for instance the serpent for the Rise kaftan was a big project. For this serpent, the colour was digitally applied due to the size and the purpose, and the drawing took a few days to complete.
