Sasakura, Mishika

Sasakura, Mishika
@x4kura / @sasakuramishi

CLASS DISMISSED. marks XAKURA’s entry into menswear, drawing inspiration from the Japanese Seifuku and Gakuran to capture the duality of discipline and rebellion. It merges the polish of uniform culture with the raw edge of streetwear—plaid, denim, and layered silhouettes, narrating a story of self-expression. At its core, the collection embodies transformation: turning conformity into confidence, silence into voice, and rebellion into beauty.

Mishika Sasakura, also known as the creative force behind XAKURA, is a Filipino-Japanese menswear designer with a vision that rejects limitation. She sees fashion as a stage that carries the same power as music—where individuality can exist without apology, where identity is worn loud, and where rebellion becomes beauty. From this vision, XAKURA was born—a reminder that you do not need permission to take up space, because the world is your stage. Everywhere.

The most challenging part of designing CLASS DISMISSED. was finding a way to make the collection stand out while still staying true to XAKURA’s identity. Pushing through this taught me that strong branding and a clear concept are just as important as the garments themselves. This collection made me realize that my identity as a designer is rooted in confidence and unpredictable marketing strategies, rather than trying to please or impress others. While most of my previous work focused on womenswear, shifting to menswear clarified my direction, as I realized it could create more intrigue and desire within my target market. I began to see that XAKURA could feel more recognizable and impactful when worn by men, especially in expressing rebellion, confidence, and presence. As the process evolved, I became more intentional with branding and marketing, and the biggest shift came when rebellion moved beyond aesthetics and became the foundation of XAKURA’s voice.