NOIR ETOFFE

During my time in Tokyo, I had the pleasure of experiencing another one-of-a-kind moment as I sketched live during the photo shoot of emerging brand noir etoffe.

I treasure this amazing opportunity, working with a whole team, creating an illustrated view right in the middle of such a creative moment.

noir etoffe is a Japanese fashion brand founded in 2017 by Naotsugu Urasaki, a former graduate of Osaka Bunka Fashion College.

The brand is known for designing exclusively around black, a kind of pure, untouched black used as the foundation for further creative expression, emphasising a dark, cohesive aesthetic around the exploration of (un) structured silhouettes, highlighting textures and shapes.

I found out about noir etoffe online before I visited Tokyo, and we happily agreed to work together while I was there, creating a unique collaboration during the visual shoot for the brand's Autumn/Winter 2026 collection, serving as a lovely appetiser for the collection drop next year.

As an artist, it was a uniquely creative and personally transformative moment. I felt the adrenaline of shaping a new vision for the collection while watching the photoshoot come to life before my eyes, brought together by an incredibly talented team.

noir etoffe AW26 collection explores the theme of "ripples" as the starting point to reflect on different and new rounded shapes and exciting new silhouettes, while championing new ways to investigate the black canvas. The rounded silhouettes, one of noir etoffe’s signature features, symbolise the moment when the ripples first begin.

The noir etoffe 2026 aw visual shoot was also the occasion for designer Urasaki san to introduce COULEUR, a new brand that, unlike noir etoffe, which builds its world and items mainly around the colour black, aims to explore a new chromatic vision.

However, unlike noir etoffe, which follows seasonal formats, COULEUR will be released yearly.

Sketching during the photoshoot was quite a challenging moment, with time being the most creative issue. I aimed to sketch as much as possible on site.

Then, once back in my studio, I started editing the sketches I did in Tokyo during the photoshoot, editing a few details and mostly working on the backgrounds.

I was really captivated by Urasaki san designs, so I ended up creating two brand new artworks in my studio, with the aim to capture the essence of the collection, through the combined talented work of the whole team that made this photo shoot possible, alongside Urasaki san: stylist Mika Koyama, hair and make up artist Alice, model MANAMI and photographer Youhei Nobe.

I am extremely grateful to Urasaki san and the whole team working during the photo shoot for making me feel so welcome and for sharing such a creative moment.

I am happy I could contribute to their vision with my work, and I look forward to more ventures together!