Masaru Suzuki is a respected textile designer who comes from the seaport town of Chiba, Japan. He is best known for his bold, playful compositions inspired by nature, plants and animals. He graduated from Tama Art University with a BA in Dyeing and Weaving Design. After working at a few design studios in 1995 he started to expand own business as a textile designer. In 2005 he started his own fabric line Ottaipnu and in 2010 collaborated with Nordic textile manufacturer, Marimekko. Currently he has been designing various manufacturers and brands in Japan and overseas. On design site Kinarino he says this about colors:
“I don’t think “flashy = beautiful color”. There is absolutely no dirty color when viewed by itself, it’s a combination of saving and killing, so I am very conscious of that. Well, personally I like flashy colors, so I’d like to use it if it’s allowed (laughs) Of course I also like black and white beige, and I wear it myself, but I try to use colors that have an impact somewhere. I feel like my thoughts will stop if I use only safe colors.”
The artist can be followed on his website and on his company’s website, Ottaipnu.
Images: Courtesy of Masaru Suzuki.
