Creating a gentle space where you can enjoy things as they are: Interior stylist Chifuyu Iwasa

At the Daikanyama store, we are currently offering styling that matches this month's theme, "Small Gathering."
The person in charge of styling was interior stylist Iwasa Tomoo.
After studying under stylist Kanae Ishii, she went independent in 2018. She is in charge of interior styling for various companies and brands related to lifestyle, including Daiwa House's rental housing "D-room" and the fashion brand " studio CLIP ."

Iwasa has a gentle and soft impression, similar to the atmosphere of her styling.
In working with them on this project, we were able to see that they sympathized with greeniche's philosophy of "Life Place," and glimpsed the passion hidden within their calm appearance as they eagerly asked questions and gathered information.

So this time, we interviewed Mr. Iwasa and asked him about his work-related commitment and the ideas that are important to him.
We will also introduce some styling examples that he has been in charge of in the past.

<You can see more of Chifuyu Iwasa's work below>

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Camping gear brand "TOKYO CRAFT" / photo_mai tanaka

After studying interior design at a school in Tokyo and working in a variety of jobs after graduation, Iwasa decided to become an interior stylist at the age of 27.

"When I was working for a company, I worked as a CAD operator, worked in apparel sales, and was also interested in landscape design... I experienced many things in my 20s, and there were times when I struggled. I finally decided on my path when I was 27 years old. I decided that I wanted to be an interior stylist, and I got the opportunity to work as an assistant to Kanae Ishii."

"APROZ.", a lighting brand for which she has been in charge of styling for a long time / photo_sana kondo

When asked what inspired him to pursue a career in interior design, the story went all the way back to his childhood.

"One of my uncles is an interior designer, and the other is a carpenter, so having relatives nearby who worked in the field of "homes" and "spaces" may have been what sparked my interest in interior design. Ever since I was little, I've loved redecorating my own room and organizing the inside of drawers.

One memory that sticks out in my mind is a letter that my uncle, an interior designer, would send me during the holiday season. It was a very skillfully drawn picture of my favorite character at the time, with my sister and I in it. He must have been busy with work, but he had taken the time and effort to write me that letter, which made me very happy, and I think that's when I started to have an interest in design."

Styling for Daiwa House's rental housing " D-room" (Instagram@droom_daiwaliving ) /photo_tomoya uehara

While working as an assistant to Kanae Ishii, she also obtained a qualification as an interior coordinator in order to gain more knowledge. After about five years of experience as an assistant, she became independent.

"My master (Ishii Kanae) did a wide range of work, so I was able to gain a lot of experience. When I decided to go independent, my master told me, 'No matter how small the job, always give it 120%.' I still value that and keep that in mind. When I look at my master's recent work, I can see that he always puts '120%' into practice. It's been five years since I went independent, but I still have a lot of respect for my master."

Apparel brand "KRIFF MAYER" /photo_mai tanaka

Currently, you are mainly involved in interior styling, as well as a wide range of other work, including still photography for magazines, advertisements, and catalogs, movie shooting for commercials, shop displays, and spatial coordination for homes, etc. What do you keep in mind when working?

"Styling work is a daily accumulation. The more you do it, the clearer your foundation and color become. When I first went independent, I was worried that I didn't have a clear idea of ​​what my axis is, so I looked up to everyone around me and admired them, and there was a time when I lost confidence. But now I think it's important to accumulate experience. Even if you don't have a clear idea of ​​what your axis is from the beginning, you will gradually see that "this is the way I do things" as you accumulate experience. That's why I approach styling with 120% and try to accumulate experience."

Guesthouse "Eguchiya" in Lake Kasumigaura, Ibaraki Prefecture/photo_mai tanaka

She approaches her styling jobs with a humble yet enthusiastic attitude. Looking back, the most memorable job was one she did in her hometown of Ibaraki Prefecture.

"I was in charge of selecting the interior for a job to build a new guesthouse in Kasumigaura City, Ibaraki Prefecture. The guesthouse was created by renovating an old folk house, and the architecture itself is lovely, but what particularly attracted me was the client's desire to create a lodging where people can enjoy the absence of anything. Ibaraki Prefecture is always ranked last in national attractiveness rankings, so there really is nothing there (laughs). But rather than seeing this as a negative, they have turned this into a positive, saying "enjoy the absence of anything." It is precisely because there is nothing that you can appreciate the beauty of the large lake of Lake Kasumigaura and the morning sun. I really resonated with the idea of ​​wanting people to simply enjoy a rich experience despite the absence of anything.

Guesthouse "Eguchiya" in Lake Kasumigaura, Ibaraki Prefecture /photo_mai tanaka

The interior was designed to match that idea, to be comfortable and relaxing, rather than too stylish. That's when I realized I liked creating spaces like this. The essence of the space is to make it "comfortable," "warm," and "kind." Not only design, but also valuing the feeling of touching the heart became one of my guidelines when styling.

"It's natural and life-size, without forcing yourself. It's a wonderful space where you can be yourself and feel happy. I want to continue to carefully accumulate styling work and hone my ideal."

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Chifuyu Iwasa

Born in Ibaraki Prefecture in 1985. Studied interior design at Tokyo Designer Academy, worked as a company employee and apparel salesman, and then studied under stylist Kanae Ishii. Obtained interior coordinator qualification. Became independent in 2018.
She is currently active in a wide range of fields, including still photography for magazines, advertisements, catalogues, and movies such as commercials, styling interiors, miscellaneous goods, and everything related to daily life, as well as coordinating shop displays and spaces for homes.

(Text: Tomori Okada)