Archaeologist of Fashion
Taiga Takahashi (1995–2022), a Central Saint Martins graduate and founder of T.T (formerly Taiga Takahashi), was far more than a fashion designer. He merged fashion, art, and Japanese culture into a quiet yet radical vision that extended well beyond clothing – and continues to live on today.
The Archaeology of Clothing
From his teenage years, Takahashi collected American garments from the 1920s–50s. He analysed their fabrics, stitching, and details – like an archaeologist – and reinterpreted them in his designs. His credo: “Resurrecting relics of the past to unearth artifacts of the future.”
Artist, Designer, Cultural Curator
After graduating from Central Saint Martins in 2017, he founded his label in New York and in 2021 opened an atelier and exhibition space in Kyoto’s Gion district. This place was much more than a store: it brought together fashion, sculpture, traditional Japanese tea ceremonies, and art installations into a holistic cultural experience. Takahashi saw clothing not only as wearable art but also created independent sculptures that expanded his aesthetic and philosophical vision.
Notable Collections
- Spring/Summer 2023 “In the Presence of Absence”: Takahashi combined American workwear with the spirituality of kimono, crafting clear cuts and natural lines.
- AW 23 – “Between Sky & Soil”: After his passing, the label was rebranded as T.T and launched its first season without him. The team continues his philosophy of reinterpreting the past to shape the future.
Craftsmanship at the Core
Takahashi placed great emphasis on traditional techniques: natural dyeing, weaving on old mechanical looms, Japanese tailoring. His garments were conceived as time capsules – robust, aesthetic, and durable across decades. Materials, forms, and textures merged into creations that seamlessly united art, craftsmanship, and functionality.
A Legacy That Lives On
In April 2022, Taiga Takahashi passed away unexpectedly at just 27. Yet his work lives on:
- Exhibitions & Retrospectives: 2022–23 in Kyoto and Seoul (“Between Time & Space”), showcasing his garments, sculptures, and installations together.
- Continuation as T.T: His team continues to create collections, pop-ups, and limited editions – always honouring Takahashi’s holistic vision.
Taiga Takahashi was an archaeologist of clothing, an artist, and a curator of Japanese culture. He preserved traditions, transformed them with radical simplicity, and made fashion into art and art into a journey between past and future. Today, his label T.T remains a living archive of his ideas – minimalist, artistic, and deeply contemplative.