Top Photo：dress by MAME KUROGOUCHI, bodysuit stylist’s own

Encounter｜Rakusei Sakabe & Haruna Aka

旅に出て辿り着いた理想の世界

Encounter
07.May.2024

「Encounter＝出逢い。」

世界中に存在する、アーティストたちとの巡り合い。
多彩なクリエイターたちの才能を披露する場として、
彼らが表現する、瑞々しく、独創的な作品の中から
琴線に触れる作品を編集部がピックアップ。
選び抜かれた、個性豊かな感性に想像を巡らせて。

A uniquely precious encounter with artists from all over the world.
As a platform to exhibit and unveil the various talent, Lula Japan’s editorial team have selected the most vivid and genuine works from artists around the world.
Entrust your heart to this creative and unique new sensibility.

No.404 “Shangri-La”

dress by MAME KUROGOUCHI, bodysuit stylist’s own

coat by LEINWÄNDE, top, inner top, shirt and tie by AURALEE, shorts by FUMIKA_UCHIDA, shoes by PAULA CANOVAS DEL VAS

bodysuit, top and bra by FUMIKA_UCHIDA, trousers by KANAKO SAKAI, shoes by PAULA CANOVAS DEL VAS

Photography by Rakusei Sakabe
Styling by Haruna Aka
Hair by Satomi Suzuki
Make up by Yui Yamanaka
Model by Valentina Gustova at Image Models
Special Thanks Oka and Eikomaru

Rakusei Sakabe ／Photographer（Tokyo based）
Haruna Aka／Stylist（Tokyo based）

「Utopia（ユートピア）」
これは理想郷を追い求め、旅に出た女性の物語。

女性は1人で理想郷を探す旅に出た。
目にしたのは日本の春。
五感すべてでそれを感じ、この国こそが理想郷だと感じている。

それは私自身がずっと追い求めているもの。
海外に拠点を移すにあたり、現在の私が考える理想郷を表現した。
1人で理想郷を求め、旅立った彼女にどこか自分を重ねているのかもしれない。

また理想郷を探し求めるということは、自分の環境が恵まれていたと気づくきっかけでもあるのかもしれない。
どんなに厳しい環境であったとしても、そばにいてくれる人や周囲の環境、満足のいく食事、何よりも日本で生まれたということ。
これらのことに感謝し、また進んでいく。

This is a story of a woman who set out on a journey, pursuing an ideal world.

The woman took off on a journey alone in search of an ideal world.
What she saw was spring in Japan.
She felt it with all her five senses and believes that this country is her ideal one.

It is what I have been seeking for long time.
Since moving my base overseas, I expressed what I currently consider to be my ideal world.
Maybe I compare myself to her who set out on a journey, searching her ideal world alone.

Looking for an ideal world may also be an opportunity to realize that our environments were blessed.
No matter how harsh the environment is, the people around me, the surrounding environment, the satisfying food, and most importantly, being born in Japan.
I’m grateful for these things and will continue to do so.

knit top by AURALEE, top, inner top, dress and trousers by ISSEY MIYAKE, shoes by MAME KUROGOUCHI

jumpsuit and gloves by FUMIKA_UCHIDA, top by AURALEE

jacket, trousers and hat by FUMIKA_UCHIDA, shoes by PAULA CANOVAS DEL VAS

Rakusei Sakabe：
東京を拠点に活躍するフォトグラファー。
2001年和歌山県生まれ。
20歳の時から写真活動を始め、写真家吉川幸宏に写真を学ぶ。
世界に目を向け、今年8月から活動拠点をデンマークへ移す予定。
www.instagram.com/rakusei_sakabe

A photographer based in Tokyo.
He was born in Wakayama Prefecture in 2001.
He began his photographic activity at the age of 20, and studied photography under the photographer Yukihiro Yoshikawa.
With his eyes on the world, he is going to move his base of activities to Denmark in August of this year.

Haruna Aka：
東京をベースに活躍する沖縄県出身のスタイリスト。
服部昌孝に師事後独立し、メンズ、ウィメンズ問わず広告やエディトリアル、ミュージックビデオなど多岐にわたって活動。
最近はファッショングラビアに挑戦し活躍の幅を広げている。
www.instagram.com/halna.aka

A stylist from Okinawa Prefecture based in Tokyo.
After studying under Masataka Hattori, she became independent and is working in wide range of fields including advertising, editorial, and music videos for both men and women.
Recently, she is expanding her activities by challenging fashion gravure.