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Kolor, Taro Horiuchi

Interviews

Debuting Spring/Summer 2026, Taro Horiuchi takes the helm as Creative Director at Kolor, succeeding founder and former creative director Junichi Abe, who remains deeply involved with the company. Born in Tokyo, Horiuchi moved to the UK when he was only 15, studied photography at Kingston University, and later graduated top of his class from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp in 2007 and the same year he received the Diesel Award at ITS. He launched his namesake womenswear label in 2010, followed by TH Product in 2018, a menswear line focused on refined, timeless design. European-trained, widely awarded, and deeply grounded in artisanal craft, Horiuchi brings a rigorous yet quietly radical perspective that feels both in tune with Kolor’s essence and ready to evolve it into a new chapter.

Where do you look for new ideas or voices in fashion?

I’m inspired by the constantly shifting phenomena happening around the world—both big and small. Art, music, and cinema that respond to these shifts also play a significant role. All of these elements come together to form the foundation of my inspiration.

In which ways might fashion creativity effectively drive growth?

People's clothing is always intertwined with society and constantly evolving. The way people dress is ever intertwined with the rhythm of society, shifting and evolving each day. Perhaps what matters most is to remain attuned to the quiet currents of daily life — to observe, to wonder, and to keep exploring.

How essential is heritage and/or a distinctive identity in contributing to a brand’s success?

Isn’t it the very layers of tradition and identity that define a brand at its core? And at times, even the act of defying them becomes part of a new tradition, woven into its evolving story.

How do you think your brand can spark and sustain desire with so much else going on in the world?

As I mentioned earlier, people’s thoughts and preferences are always intertwined with the society they inhabit. That’s why, for those of us who create — myself included — the kind of society we envision may be directly connected to the desires of the future.

There seems to be more overlap between fashion/entertainment and fashion/sports than ever. Thoughts?

In a world increasingly dominated by smartphones, social media, and the digital realm, isn’t it only natural that many people are once again reflecting on the meaning of physicality? I, too, am deeply fascinated by this tension between the virtual and the corporeal — two opposing forces that continue to shape our reality.