Project: Commissioned Poetry for Japanese Fashion Catalog

It was mid-August 2020 when I got a very unexpected but very exciting email from an old friend and renowned photographer, Ken Goto. I did not know what to expect when I saw the email in my inbox, and when I opened it, well, I could have never guessed it would be Ken asking me to do commissioned poetry.

Commisisoned Poetry by Travis Knight — *Here is the English version of my poem, “Change,” in Kastane’s 2020 catalog.*

Ken had a friend in Japan who ran a fashion collective, Kastane, and wanted a poem for her upcoming catalog. He told me he needed a 3-page poem in 5 days. When I asked him what it needed to be about, he simply wrote back: “Be a change and better self. With strong will and playful mind.” I will not lie; this was not a lot to go off of and a bit ambiguous. Nevertheless, I got myself acquainted with the brand’s voice and identity and got to work. In the end, I was able to deliver a 3-page poem that was ultimately printed in their 2020 catalog. The final product was featured in English and Japanese.