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Blake Abbie: Can you tell me about the first time you came to Tokyo?

Yueqi Qi: I was young my first time, maybe 10. I remember I was wowed by the toys everywhere; I thought that the city was very cute. That essence of the city has been reflected in my work too. A mix of softness and edge, playful in an intentional way – that’s how I see the city. Later Tokyo became a place where I had many important moments, many of my first times happened here. My first time using a dating app, where my first match was with my husband, and where we eventually got married.

BA: What were you doing here before meeting your husband?

YQ: I came to visit my friend and he suggested I should download a dating app and I had never met a guy over an app before. My friend was on a date with another guy that day, so I was left alone at home. I was timid at first to go on a date, but I felt like I had nothing to lose and it would be an opportunity to practise my English. So I arrived at the bar and had a first look at who would eventually become my husband. I was struck by how handsome he was, although in his pictures he didn’t appear to be my type. [Laughs.]

BA: So sweet! Where have you brought me today? What restaurant are we sitting in?

YQ: We’re in Curry Bondy, my favourite curry restaurant on Earth. This area, Jimbocho, is known to have many curry restaurants. My husband is always checking the rankings for something called the Curry Grand Prix — every year they choose a different winner. So whenever I come to Tokyo, we go to a different restaurant to try the first prize-winning curry. I’ve been to five or six already; it has become part of my routine when I’m in Tokyo to eat curry and then go to bookstores that are also in this neighbourhood.

BA: Do you have any favourite bookstores here?

YQ: My favourite bookstore is Bohemian’s Guild. There are a couple stories I like too, those that sell at a fair price but now we’re heading towards one that is slightly more expensive because it has such a great selection of art books. It’s called Komiyama Book Store.

BA: What type of books are you searching for?

YQ: I’m drawn to the books by their cover, their texture and design; it must catch my eye instantly for me to pick it up. I need a book to intrigue me! I like to spend the whole day reading through my initial selection, as there might be books by many artists I don’t know yet. I can spend more than two hours in a single bookstore, checking every book until I am exhausted. Then I go sit down and get a coffee. And then come back to it again.

BA: Are there any books that you like or that inspire you?

YQ: I find a lot of inspiration in books. For instance, the book ‘A Hundred Wrapping Ideas’ by Nagatani Yoshiko. is quite simple and yet the book is quietly poetic. Books are a source for discovery; I recently read a book about the American artist and film director Matthew Barney. I find his work very inspiring.

BA: What is your favourite area in Tokyo?

YQ: The Koenji district. It’s a lovely old neighborhood with many cute vintage stores.

BA: In which locations have you shown your collection? Why do you show in Tokyo?

YQ: I used to show in Shanghai, but I moved my shows here because I prefer the energy. The audience is much calmer in Tokyo than Shanghai. My first spot was Kouhi Seibu, which is a beautiful old kissaten-style cafe. I heard that they were planning to close down after my show, but it seems they are still open. I am happy they are getting more popular.

BA: What is it about showing in Tokyo that feels closer to your own aesthetics and mood?

YQ: In Shanghai, there are so many locations where you aren’t allowed to hold a show, like in historical buildings. In Tokyo there’s a bit more freedom. So when I first saw the Jiyū Gakuen Myōnichikan building that was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright I was in awe of how beautiful it was. Instantly, I told my production team that we absolutely had to have this place for this collection and they said we are on the waiting list. I was willing to do anything to show there and ultimately, I showed my Autumn Winter 2026 collection there – so dream unlocked.

BA: Do you speak Japanese?

YQ: It’s an interesting experience as I know only a few words. The production team that I’ve been working with for the past five seasons doesn’t speak English that well, so we need to use body language all the time to communicate; I find it magical.

BA: How does your everyday life look without knowing the language?

YQ: By not knowing the language inherently I can’t hear any bad voices or critique. When I’m back in Shanghai where I speak the native language, you will hear annoying comments that bring me unnecessary stress. Here, I embrace the distance. But even after the show some of the Japanese audience are not always so fluent in English, they’d come backstage and show me a message of appreciation through a translation app — it’s always nice to be in a romantic bubble, always happy. If I could know Japanese tomorrow, I’d just get lost in the city observing everything around me in full clarity, but for now I will enjoy the unfamiliar charm a bit longer.