The Studio.

Who is behind the studio?

Helena Guilloteau

What is your background?

Hélèna Guilloteau studied textile design at the National school of fine-art in Lyon, France. She graduated in 2011 and got her diploma with the congratulations of the jury.

She started her career by working for some surfwear brands and luxury kid fashion ones. She will then go to the cradle of the Italian textile in Côme to improve her technique and creativity in a textile studio.

Meanwhile, she worked as a freelancer for a German textile design studio and some ready-to-wear brands.

In 2016, the Akagii studio was created in Lyon. Its names comes from the Italian pronunciation of its creator’s initial HG (Héléna Guilloteau). An invitation to travel inspired by her experiences.

Customers : American Apparel / Calvin Klein / La Redoute / Passionata / Rossignol / Lafuma / Napapijri / Nénés-Paris / Maison Hotel / ElevenParis / Maison Simons / Françoise Saget / Paperchase ....

Describe your style.

Refined with a french touch.

What are your main inspirations / influences ?

Looking at people in the street or during trips, exhibitions, nature...

Which place inspires you the most?

The countryside in spring, the botanical gardens...

What sets off your passion for prints?

A visit to the fine arts school in Lyon and my experience in engraving and screen printing during my art studies at the fine arts school in Rennes

Your first print memories.

A yellow ruffle skirt with black polka dots that I loved to wear when I was little.

Describe your creation process.

I like to start by drawing by hand or painting, experimenting with ink...

What is your favorite medium to work with and why?

Painting because it has a cathartic effect on me

While working, what do you listen?

I listen to talk radio or podcasts ...

What is your job's favorite part ?

The beginning of the collection when there is everything to do!

What type of product / sector do you mainly work for ?

Ready to wear, Underwear and Activewear

On which fairs do you exhibit?

Première Vision, Interfilière, Print days.

Your best fairs memories.

My second first vision, I had the right to a small article in the newspaper of the show.

What do you want to accomplish in the future?

My next goal is to have my own showroom to welcome my customers.

The biggest challenge you had to handle as a designer?

Realisation of almost all the prints of the Napapijri collection for men, women and children.

What advice would you like to give to new designers who are just starting out?

To experiment a lot, to have fun and to work a lot!

Have you seen the profession change?

There are more and more distance selling via online collections.

Do you like or regret things about this change?

This is a good addition, I appreciate it!