Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on June 2010

Courtesy of Odradek

Tokyo’s Odradek found itself in the international limelight in April when Lady Gaga appeared on TV Asahi’s Music Station wearing a specially customized pair of the brand’s “Private Universe” handcuff bracelets. With fans of the pop singer dissecting every item she wears on sites such as www.gagadaily.com, it wasn’t long before people around the world were asking what Odradek was—and where they could get it. That’s not to say the brand didn’t already have an international background, though. Designer Demian Celica Kanou was born in Kyoto in 1980 and moved to New Zealand at the age of 14, then went on to study at the Ravensbourne College of Design in London. While still a student, she interned for high-profile designers such as Camilla Staerk, Hussein Chalayan and Kenzo before returning to Japan to establish the Odradek menswear brand in 2008. Her debut collection for spring/summer 2010 featured apparel in black, white and silver, with an emphasis on studs and other metal accents—revealing Kanou’s background as an accessory designer. The recently unveiled autumn/winter collection shifts the focus to tailoring, in the form of tartan coats and kilts, and wool capes and coats. Kanou, clearly, is a lady of many talents.

“Private Universe” bracelets are available at Adam et Ropé Biotop: 4-6-44 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-3444-2421. Open daily 11am-8pm. www.odradekdesign.com