Japanese fashion and craftsmanship are having a moment in Los Angeles, and AKI is bringing something truly special to the city. On August 28, 2026, Los Angeles-based Japanese stylist Kazue Mizushima launched CURATED COLLECTION BY KAZUE at BaileyWick, the boutique inside The London West Hollywood, introducing a selection of fashion pieces personally chosen for the LA market. Among the designers taking center stage was AKI, the Japanese sustainable fashion and art brand making its Los Angeles debut.
Founded by Osaka-born designer AKI, the brand takes a thoughtful approach to fashion, combining traditional Japanese textiles, contemporary design, and a strong commitment to creating pieces with individuality. Rather than following the fast-fashion cycle, AKI creates pieces to order, allowing each garment to be made with attention to detail and the person who will wear it.
One of the brand’s signatures is its reinterpretation of traditional Japanese textile patterns. Motifs such as Enso, Shippo, and Sayagata are transformed through AKI’s original color combinations and woven into distinctive fabrics. The designer also works with surplus and deadstock materials, turning existing textiles into wearable works of art.
The result is fashion that feels personal rather than mass-produced. Each piece has its own character, making AKI especially interesting for anyone who sees clothing as a form of self-expression.
AKI’s story began in Osaka, before the designer moved to Italy after being inspired by the work of Yohji Yamamoto. She studied fashion design at the Instituto Marangoni in Milan, later working at YOHJI YAMAMOTO FEMME before developing her own made-to-order womenswear. She returned to Italy once again to study traditional men’s tailoring techniques in Palermo, Sicily, eventually expanding her work into custom men’s gilets.
In 2015, AKI presented a collection in Milan as part of JAÀ Studio, an Asian designer collective featuring Korean, Taiwanese, and Japanese designers. In 2022, she opened her own atelier and store in Osaka, continuing to develop her vision of fashion centered around the individual.
For Kazue Mizushima, that philosophy is exactly what makes AKI such a natural fit for Los Angeles. The stylist describes the brand’s Japanese craftsmanship, fashion-as-art approach, and one-of-a-kind pieces as elements that embody an authentic expression of Japan while connecting beautifully with LA’s creative culture.
And there is more to discover at the boutique. The launch also marked the opening of the BaileyMick gallery, featuring the SMILEY exhibition, bringing fashion, art, and creative culture together under one roof.
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 28: Kazuma Suzuki attends the opening of the “Smiley: Lost In My Own Universe” exhibition at The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills on August 28, 2026 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Michael Tullberg/Getty Images)
For LA fashion lovers looking for something beyond the ordinary, AKI is now available for purchase at BaileyWick inside The London West Hollywood. From beautifully crafted textiles to distinctive accessories and statement pieces, it’s a fresh introduction to Japanese design—and a reminder that the most interesting fashion is often the kind that feels personal.
