As a child I was introverted, not good at studying, and had many things I didn't like about myself. My interest in fashion grew because it was something that protected me. Along the way, I learned how to grow and express myself through fashion.

It is said that the fashion industry is now facing its worst crisis in the post war era. However, when you look back to dark times in history new creative fashion has been invented for the people and the environment. Fashion, which is sometimes created unexpectedly, is the continuation of experimentation in our daily lives and is something that we both depend on and love.

For creativity to be born, there needs to be an environment with lively energy and respect for all individuals. It is significant to continue learning, to have the flexibility to change, and to face creativity in unpredictable situations.

Through fashion, I want to make an innovative place for learning that will foster creativity that will contribute to society. I want to continue doing this through coconogacco, the school (gacco) that creates individuals (coco) who expand their range from here (coco) to the world. No matter what era it is, I want to share the wonders of dressing up.

Yoshikazu Yamagata (山縣良和)

###Hirofumi Kurino (栗野 宏文) United Arrows Senior Adviser and Creative Advisor Individuals who will carry the future of Japanese fashion are trained at coconogacco. Fashion does not only include clothes and appearance, but also the way people feel, the way they think, and the communication with the world itself. In other words, learning fashion means learning what is important as a human being. I have been a judge of graduation shows at fashion schools such as Antwerp Academy in Belgium, Royal College of Art in London, and Polimoda in Florence. I have witnessed many debuts of new designers. I think that coconogacco is at a level that is comparative to these schools and it may even be pursuing deeper areas. From 'coco' (here) 'no' (of) 'gacco' (school), the school of here or now, outstanding talents are being grown into the future of our world.

###Masao Morita (森田 真生) Independent Scholar From my perspective, Yamagata-san’s life work concentrates on taking the chaos of the world towards life and creation rather than destruction and death. Contrary to its progressivity, his creations also have a certain primitiveness similar to the ancient mythical world. I look forward to the day when the students sprout out of coconogacco, the “kuragenasu tadayoeru konton” (uncongealed, transparent shape shifting jellyfish) like an “ashikiba” (reed). (In reference to “Kojiki”)

###Sarah Mower US Vogue Contributing Editor and Ambassador for Emerging Talent for the British Fashion Council In my job as a fashion journalist, I am always looking to discover young talent. It is even better, and more meaningful, when that talent comes in the form of a movement. Isolated designers are often very interesting, but they are hard to find, and it is often very difficult for them to operate alone, without support. So I was very excited when Hirofumi Kurino introduced me to Yoshi Yamagata and his school a year ago. I have been waiting and wondering why young Japanese designers have not been appearing, at least to western eyes, for such a long time. After Undercover and Sacai, it's hard to name any Japanese label we know about. Now, I am sure that Coconogacco is going to generate a whole new determination to act together, exchange ideas and speak to the world. The thinking amongst these students seems to me refreshing, emotionally honest and personal. I like the feeling that there both dreamy idealism and hard-core realistic work ethic behind it, and that the graduates want to say something through clothes, performance, and telling their stories. I hope we will hear very much more about that in Europe and America, and that Coconogacco will soon be in everyone's minds as the new movement which tells the world how young Japanese people are feeling.