The Art of Imperfection According to Tokyo James The Anglo-Nigerian designer talks about craftsmanship, fashion, and his collaboration with UGG

In a world that often chases perfection, the Anglo-Nigerian designer Tokyo James delivered a powerful message during Milan Fashion Week SS25 with his collection aptly titled Imperfection. Drawing from personal memories and James’ precise tailoring expertise, the collection sought to challenge the very concept of perfection around which fashion often revolves. His philosophy is simple: "We don’t have a perfect world, so why should we have perfect clothes?" This belief is at the heart of James’ creative process, which defies fashion’s obsession with precision. "I think clothes should have character, even if they’re a little unstitched. It’s OK. Chasing perfection is unsustainable, and it’s not really good for our planet." One of the key moments of the show was James' collaboration with UGG, which brought a fresh reinterpretation of the brand’s DNA, as UGG has supported a different emerging designer every season for several years now.

James' creative process is not just about aesthetics but also about fostering connections and dialogue. He reflected, "Fashion is predictable. We need to get back to inspiring people. For so long, we’ve thought of ourselves as untouchable. But we need everyone, just like everyone needs us. We need dialogue between us and the general public, between us and the industry professionals, between us and the consumers. Big brands need to take more risks; they need to be open to more collaborations with the right things." James, who has been showing in Milan for eight seasons, is no stranger to the world of tailoring. However, his approach is anything but conventional. "Milan is clean, it’s tailoring. We bring that tailoring, but with something else. The essence of our brand is: ‘How do we manipulate tailoring to make it more interesting?’" His designs reflect the tension between structure and creativity, continually striking a balance between his love of precision and his desire for spontaneity and individuality. His creations lovingly contrast the older norms of Milanese fashion, where, as James puts it, "If you didn’t know who the designer was, you could put everyone on a big runway and wouldn’t be able to tell who’s who."

As he continues on his journey, already gaining new fans and supporters in Europe, Asia, and even Africa, where a large client base also demands bespoke services, James remains focused on expansion. While new physical stores are planned, for now, he is primarily focusing on growing online, aiming to make his designs accessible to a global audience. It’s clear that Tokyo James is not just making clothes; he’s also nurturing a broader conversation about fashion, identity, and sustainability. "Humanity is my biggest inspiration," he says, reminding us that behind every stitch, bead, and imperfection, there’s a story—a story that celebrates the beauty of being human.