Kumi Saito Archive Photo Book

Photo Book Project

We appreciate your support for printing and binding to produce a photo book. If you could help us would be amazing!

Fashion Photo Book

“HAVE I MET YOU BEFORE?

LONDON STREET STYLE FROM FASHION WEEK 2001-2018”

Photographs by KUMI SAITO

Kumi Saito, a professional photographer, passed away on Christmas Eve 2020 in London. She was a well-known photographer in Japanese fashion magazine productions and others.

This book is a historical record for all fashion lovers, especially those interested in the street scene in London. Not only does it feature an array of trends, but it also celebrates individual style and documents the overall festive mood at London Fashion Week during that period.

Kumi dreamed of holding an exhibition with this title during her lifetime. We decided to make the figure of her excellent works into a photo book and dedicate it to her husband. The title contains a wonderful reason; please read the story too.

Support Options:

Option 1

You can donate any amount to the project starting from 5 pounds.

Option 2

Donate more than £20. A book will be posted by a standard class at your UK address or Japan address. We will email you to confirm the delivery address.

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Book Details

Publisher: Parsnips Archive

Language: English

Paperback: Full colour 184 pages, A5 Size (148x210mm)

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Who are we? - Parsnips Archive

We are long-term workmates, colleagues, and friends. Parsnips Archive is the reunited team who worked as staff from a Japanese fashion editorial service company, Parsnips, in London. We worked with Kumi Saito closely on many projects from the 1990s to the 2010s.

Her photo legacy is precious. We get the target to publish the book as the first step and will run with this project as long as support is active.

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Story

KUMI SAITO The photographer

Kumi Saito is a London-based Japanese photographer who passed away in Christmas Eve, 2020. Her work focuses on fashion, lifestyle, portraiture and more. She was a well-known photographer who contributed to many Japanese magazines, fashion brands, department stores, and a wide range of media. However, there are no photo books published and her husband says “She took a huge number of photographs, but I have nothing to show people that this is her work.” So, journalists who worked with her, friends and family decided to make her archival photo books.

The first book titled "Have I met you before? – London Street Style from Fashion Week” will be published on 23rd November 2022 under the project called Parsnips Archive. This book consists of Over 200 images of 111 fashion icons taken outside London Fashion Week shows between 2001–2018, together with comments from the journalists whom she teamed up with at that time. It was edited by volunteer works of journalists, graphic designers and photo professionals.

However, money is needed for printing and binding. If you could help us would be amazing!

"Have I met you before?" is an expression that was frequently exchanged between Kumi and the chic show-goers at London Fashion Week. When capturing the styles of fashion insiders moving quickly from venue to venue, she was often recognised and asked "Have I met you before?" Or, if Kumi has photographed them before but couldn't remember who they are, she would ask "Have I met you before?" to which they would reply "Ah yes, I remember you!" and the two would start chatting. Once she gets to know them, she would continue to document their styles for many seasons. She would also cherish the opportunity and contact them when she had to photograph some inspirational looks from an icon’s closet.

Kumi dreamed of holding an exhibition with this title during her lifetime.