It’s been really fun watching your journey from your album, Wonderland, in 2012 right down to the most recent Neon Future series. You’ve evolved not only as an artist, but also with your style. What drives your personal style?

It would have to be the same thing that drives my music production or any sort of creative output that I’m working on. I’m a human being that’s inspired by so many things. For the most part, the mood board for me is just the world that I travel to. Wherever I’m at, I try to soak in all the different cultures, ideas, and collaborations.

What influences you the most?

I collaborate with artists that sing in their native languages that are non-English to songs that are very foreign to Americans. I keep my mind open on the fashion side as well. That’s what keeps what ‘style’ is to me, fresh. I definitely think of myself as a creator. When I look at style, I think about how I can recreate that style. That’s why I started my own fashion line and merch.

Speaking of your fashion line, what’s new with the Dim Mak Collection? Any new collaborations planned?

We’re experimenting and trying out new things. Because of COVID, it’s less about wholesale. We’ve kind of geared away from that anyway. We’re collaborating with a wide variety of different brands. One which I’m really excited about is working with Candiani Denim. A friend of mine brought me to his mill in Italy and showed me the whole process of how denim is made. So, we did a denim collab using his techniques and technology to create a more sustainable denim. It was really fun to be part of that process. We made a small collection. We’re not making any money on it, but we’re just putting it out there to let people know that you can make sustainable fashion that looks cool.

You mentioned that traveling has played an important factor in your style. However, are there any particular people you’ve met throughout your life that have influenced your taste as well?

I really think back to all the different artists that have been my role models. It keeps changing, but I’ve always looked towards Japanese streetwear designers and fashion designers. I like NIGO and what’s he done with A Bathing Ape, Pharrell, Kanye, and musicians that have transcended their world into fashion. It’s clear that music and fashion are part of one larger space which is culture. Music and fashion go hand-in-hand. When you see artists that can transcend that—like the Travis Scotts, the Kanyes and Pharrells—that get into the cultural space, it’s an aspirational goal for an artist that loves fashion. The goal to create something that people wear is as exciting as creating a song that people listen to.

Jun Takahashi’s Undercover and even artists that collaborate in the space like Murakami. Japanese artists have always been my cornerstone when it comes to fashion. Maybe it’s because I’m Japanese too. There’s a lot of incredible brands right here in America that are shaping and shifting cultures. It’s clear that American streetwear and American brands are the pioneers of where things are going. A lot of the designers in streetwear look towards the same people I’m talking about. A lot of the unsung heroes are guys and girls that are not discussed in the open spaces as much as the bigger names that everyone knows like Kanye and Pharrell.

Those are definitely some iconic names you listed when it comes to fashion. What do you want to be remembered for as a legacy when it comes to your style?

Style is an evolving thing. It’s a constantly fluid feeling. When I think of style, I think of culture. When you go into the timestamps of my culture, I look at albums as a great timestamp. All the music that affected culture in that period of time. For me, you also think about the experience of that music. It’s not just the creation of making that song and saying how well it does online. I think about the live experiences and shows that come into play and that’s where the fashion of that time comes out and the style I identify with. I remember what I was wearing on stage at a time and what I was creating at that time. A lot of the times when I’m on stage, I’m making specific clothes that may even be related to the actual song itself. It all goes back to the music. The clothes I make goes back to the energy, the color or dynamic elements of the music of that time.

What was your first introduction to high fashion?

Probably in the late-’80s. I would go out to a lot of clubs. I had a lot of friends that were gay, and they were really into high fashion. I was 15, so everything was out of my price limit. So, I kind of just watched it from afar—brands like Comme des Garçons. That was one brand that [my friends] loved. I kind of stuck with streetwear because high fashion is very expensive. Over the years I’ve been able to afford a few more things and I haven’t looked back.

The correlation between your music production and personal sense of style, how do you feel they’re related—if at all?

I don’t really think it is too much. There are some DJs I see that have the same sense of good fashion. Even the stuff that I buy, I don’t really perform in it because I don’t want to mess it up.

So, what are your staples for performances?

I just try to keep it simple. Sometimes I’ll wear a cool tee, like a black tee or white tee. I don’t want to do too much. Also, the thing is when you wear it when you perform, people take pictures of it. Then it’s like, how many times can you wear this now because there’s pictures all over in that outfit? I try not to do too many logos. Maybe shoes? Shoes you can kind of do whatever.

How do you feel like your style has progressed from your first intro to fashion in your teen years to now?

Well now, because I can afford it, I look at stuff differently. Before it was like, “Oh, that’s cool. I wish I could have that.” Then, you kind of forget about it as soon as you walk past it. Now I look at something and it’s like, “Where can I find it?” I’m sure it’s like this for a lot of people, but you’re usually liking the stuff that’s very hard to get. As soon as you find out there’s only two pieces, you’re like, “I’m gonna get it!” I’m a sucker for that. Right now I like vintage Gucci and Dior.

I know you’ve attended New York Fashion Week in the past. So, what was your first impression and what do you love about it?

First of all, I was like, “This is really cool.” There are people wearing shit that I like. I saw a lot of people with pieces on like, “Where’d you get that?” I was really impressed with that. Everyone had a great sense of style and a great sense of fashion. I’m like, “Oh my god. I have to step my game up.”

How has your career as a DJ influenced your fashion taste?

Being a DJ has allowed me to travel the world, which has exposed me to so many different people, fashion styles, cultures, and ways of dress. So, I’d say that these travels influenced my fashion tastes both in terms of teaching me about different styles and types of clothing, while also putting me in the places where I’m able to purchase varying types and styles from many different types of stores and brands.

Music and fashion go hand-in-hand. When people go to a club, concert or festival, they are being social, and they interact with one another. Either consciously or unconsciously, they are broadcasting a message with the clothes they wear. Each city has its own culture and there is a form of subliminal communication that manifests itself, and I get to witness that every night I play.

How would you describe your style?

Pre-quarantine I would have called it “classic T-shirt and jeans.” Now I call it “classic T-shirt and boxer shorts.” I am looking forward to breaking in some new jeans someday soon!

Kidding aside, as with my music and DJ sets, I sometimes find it hard to describe my fashion style in a few short or exact words. But I would say, simplicity, timelessness, and quality fabrics are what I am looking for generally when I shop for new clothing. I try to avoid prints, patterns, and logos, and go with quality and comfortable basics most of the time.

Who are your style muses and why?

Whenever I hear the word muse, I have to think of music before fashion. Recently I listened to an incredible podcast with Wolfgang Joop which was very inspiring. Unfortunately it is in German, but in case some of your readers know some German, here is the link.

In terms of brands that I like to support, and which inspire me, I’d say Acne Studios is definitely one, as well as Closed, a fantastic fashion brand from Hamburg. Closed went green and sustainable way before many other brands did, and I love their style and sense of minimalism and quality. I am also a big fan of Jeanerica, a brand founded by a former Acne Studios designer.

In what ways is your personality reflected in your personal sense of style and music?

When I DJ and when I dress to go out, I am usually thinking less about what will draw attention to me as a person and artist, and more about what will be suitable for the situation. With clothing that means items that are comfortable, practical, and appropriate for where I’m going and what I’ll be doing.

With DJing, it’s about making sure the vibe of the room is right and that people are dancing and enjoying themselves individually and with those around them. I do not care so much about people staring at me the whole time that they are at a show, I’d rather they lose themselves in the music. Perhaps my basic style–T-shirt, classic pants, and sneakers–helps me feel comfortable by blending into the background in all these colorful environments I see on tour, so that the focus can be on the music, and not how I look or what I am wearing.

When you go on tour, what are your absolute wardrobe essentials?

Keeping things simple is my mantra when going on tour. Obviously, my wardrobe will look different depending on which side of the globe I am on and the climate there. Generally, I make sure to have a bunch of white and black high-quality cotton shirts with me, some jeans and chinos and my Acne sneakers. Then I am usually good to go! I also like to get a shower in before each gig and put on some fragrance, either Comme des Garçons or Tom Ford.

What’s the parallel between music production and personal sense of style?

Currently, my music studio is inside of the fashion studio so I can live in those two worlds simultaneously.

What determines what you will wear to a gig?

When I have a gig, I wear what helps me accentuate the music.

In what ways does your lifestyle as a DJ influence your choices in fashion?

I am pretty minimal. I eliminate as many unnecessary choices as I can.

When you think of a style icon, who pops into your mind and why?

Elvis. I think style can be measured by one’s confidence. Elvis’ confidence was off the charts.

What’s one item every DJ should own in their wardrobe?

A quality black T-shirt. The blacker the better.

For your Paradise party series, how would you ultimately describe your style for your sets?

I think what I try to do when we have the parties in Ibiza–or did–I try to wear something that’s fun and a bit unique. I wear a lot of printed shirts, some vintage and some new. Not just because I like that style, but also because when I started the party, I wanted to really have a broad range of things going on. I really wanted to have something colorful. It’s called Paradise because it’s influenced by Larry Levan’s Paradise Garage. I think what always surprised me about that is the eclectic nature of it, the diversity of people, and diversity of music. So, I like it to be colorful and edgy, but not too serious. Clubbing can be a bit serious at times.

That’s what I love about your style. You’re not afraid to wear patterns and vibrant colors. Personally, from your music, how is there a connection between it and your style?

I am into fashion. I follow some designers. I like this mix between things that feel futuristic and things that feel a little bit retro. One of my favorite fashion designers at the moment is Craig Green. The cuts are quite futuristic, but there’s this retro feel to it with a lot of the designs, patterns, and even materials.

That’s exactly where I stand with my music. I do play techno. I’ve played next to Richie Hawtin, Nicole Moudaber, Adam Beyer, and others. So, I like what techno represents in music, it comes from the word technology. It’s about pushing things forward and doing something new. I’m a very science fiction kind of person. I really like that new kind of side, but my favorite decade is the ’80s. I love that retro side. I play a lot of ’90s house music and meld it into techno.

How do you feel your style has evolved over time?

I went through phases. It ties in a bit with the music. When we—DJs—first came out doing our thing in the late-2000s and early-2010s, we were really kind of rebelling against the minimal techno that was going on in the mid-2000s, which I loved and was a part of. Then, we started fusing disco with house music. Music always goes in waves. With fashion, I kind of settled a little a bit on what I like now that I’ve gotten older. I definitely go a bit darker and simpler, but then I’ll go a bit more patterned and colorful. Right now, rather than a lot of prints and a lot going on, I wear more blocks of color. I go simpler, then more and more busy.

What words of wisdom would you give someone when it comes to fashion?

Don’t be afraid to break away from what the current trends are. Try to imagine your dream situation, somewhere you would love to hang out in, could be a party, or a planet somewhere. Dress how you would there. Play, make or listen to the music you would want to hear there and be as happy as you would there! If you create that, others will gravitate towards it and want to be part of it too.

How does your career as an artist influence your personal style?

A lot. Being an artist makes me feel like I have full permission to be as weird and wild as I want to be. The world that we create as a band is so important to us and my clothes are an extension of my self-expression and very related to the whole SOFI TUKKER world we've built.

When did your appreciation for sneakers begin? What pair was your first true love?

My first true loves were the Scottie Pippens’. I've literally always loved shoes. Growing up, going to Foot Locker was the greatest thing my mom could ever take me to do. Then my feet got too big and they usually don't carry my size in stores, which is a disaster! It really hinders my sneakerhead abilities.

Give me your funniest fashion faux pas. What took place?

My freshman year of high school, there was a dress code, and everyone was really preppy. To try to fit in and be cool, I wore double popped collars and just the most preppy shit you can imagine. So embarrassing. One year of not being myself and it didn't work out very well.

What’s one piece of style advice you live by?

The more “clashing” prints, the better.

Animal, person, place, or thing: What or who do you identify with the most when it comes to fashion? Why?

Giraffes, because they're goofy and beautiful. And they have the most fire pattern, and they're tall so you can always see them. I have a giraffe tattoo on my finger.

What’s a style must-have on Grailed you’d choose?

Probably a luxury piece because I see a Louis Vuitton choker necklace with my name written all over it.